Memorabilia - General

From vinyl and concert posters to sports cards and game-used apparel, the memorabilia market has grown exponentially in the later 20th and early 21st centuries. All things considered, the availability of merchandise has compounded with the growth of online marketplaces and auction websites—venues that assist collectors in connecting with sellers worldwide.

People collect memorabilia for many reasons, some purely for investment and others for the desire to connect with particular subjects or time periods. In addition, collecting memorabilia can grow social connections, which many feel is an added benefit. Not surprisingly, after years of acquiring memorabilia, some collectors discover that what they once spent a few thousand dollars on has increased in worth by many thousands.

The value of memorabilia often varies depending on scarcity and popularity. The sports trading card market in particular is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions, with baseball cards being the most commonly collected. Overall, memorabilia available in limited quantities or manufactured and then removed from the marketplace tends to fetch high prices on auction.