BoxRec

Any of you guys collect Boxing Memoribilia?

If so were is the best place to buy from.

I'm a bit wary of E-Bay and Amazon in case the signatures aren't legit.

So far I've got a signed Derry Matthews and Barry Jones shirt and a signed Ken Buchanan poster.

PredatorHayds wrote:Any of you guys collect Boxing Memoribilia?

If so were is the best place to buy from.

I'm a bit wary of E-Bay and Amazon in case the signatures aren't legit.

So far I've got a signed Derry Matthews and Barry Jones shirt and a signed Ken Buchanan poster.

Get them from the boxers.

if its modern stuff you want then get then as Mickey said either write/twitter to the boxers, or contact the promotors, often they have posters or such like they can send. Hearns was always pretty good at that (Barry Hearns)

I'm not a huge fan of autographs as liek you say there are so many fakes out there, and its all about the providence when it comes to buying them. They really have dropped off in price as well.

i have a very small collection of the cigarette cards, postcards . they tend to hold their price ok

Huge names come over here all the time.

mickey1975 wrote:Huge names come over here all the time.

That's right, over the past 18 -24 months I've had evenings with Duran, Hearns, Collins, Benn, Bomber Graham, Bruno, Mancini, Bugner, Shavers, Buchanan, Mercer, Leonard, Witherspoon, and Bowe.

Questions and answers, followed by signings. Some will charge you per item, ranging from 10-20 quid, others will do it for free. I'm not really a collector but have shed loads of signed photos now which I hang on my office wall. I think they look great.

Autographed bits and bobs are ten a penny and sometimes fake to begin with. Try and collect stuff that is more unique, easier to authenticate, and sourced from a person you can look in the eye. Avoid 'signers' i.e. gloves and shorts that are bought purely to sign and are often auctioned for way too much to drunk guys trying to play it at being big time at sportsman's dinners. Most of them are just spunking their money and will quickly come to realise their 'investment' is a sack of shite.

What type of stuff are you after?

You can avoid the fakes you just need to know where to look. If your buying autographs make sure the company your buying from are an approved dealer with the AFTAL. (Autograph Fair Trade Association Limited). They work with the police and trading standards and all of the approved dealers are vetted.
If your looking for vintage autographs, and programmes etc then www.memorabilia-investments.com is a good source.
A1sportingspeakers.com are also good as they have direct contract with the boxers/footballers.

taffytoon wrote:What type of stuff are you after?

Anything signed really. I'm a big fan of the original fight posters signed. I reckon they look decent on the wall.

Saw a cracking Hearns-Hagler one but at £1200 it's a bit out of my price range.

I also like the montages that people put together when they have a few bits and bobs from the same fighter in a frame.

I kind of argue that none of that signed glove shite should be called memorabilia as the association with the person signing it is very weak, it passes their hands for moments. Bit of a "so what?" and no different to a piece of paper signature.

Memorabilia for me conjures up images of items used like a fight worn pair of shorts

PredatorHayds wrote:

taffytoon wrote:What type of stuff are you after?

Anything signed really. I'm a big fan of the original fight posters signed. I reckon they look decent on the wall.

Saw a cracking Hearns-Hagler one but at £1200 it's a bit out of my price range.

I also like the montages that people put together when they have a few bits and bobs from the same fighter in a frame.

There's an outfit called Showmasters/Collectormania that put on sports signings events. They are usually well attended by boxers - you'll see who they've had if you google them. You can bring stuff to be signed. I got Tommy Hearns to sign a poster of his fight with Hagler and first fight with Leonard. It's not cheap but a far cheaper way than what you mentioned. Just need Leonard and Hagler to come over and attend one - although I understand it might be unlikely in Hagler's case. I've got a Larry Holmes-Earnie Shavers poster signed by both this way.

I have loads of posters and programmes.

ERIC GUY wrote:I have loads of posters and programmes.

What's the best site to get these from?

As a collector/dealer of boxing memorabilia for 30+ years, I can tell you the only autographed items worth owning are those you acquire in person. A very high percentage of the signed stuff on eBay and other international shopping sites is fake (there was recently a "guaranteed" autographed photo of "Max Bear"), and it's easy to get burned. As others have advised, your best option for modern stuff is to directly contact the fighter and/or his management and make inquiries.
I live in western Canada, and every June for the past several years I've made the long trek to the annual International Boxing Hall of Fame induction weeked in Canastota, New York. In addition to offering up-close-and-personal contact with dozens of past and present fighters, one of the highlights is the day-long memorabilia show and sale, which attracts dealers and collectors from all over the world. My personal collection revolves around on-site programs and posters from '60s heavyweight bouts and items from the White Hope era (1910-15). IMHO, the single best source for both novice and advanced hobbyists is an American publication called Boxing Collectors News (http://www.boxingcollectors.com). Check it out!
Good luck with the hunt ...

This website is good.

Think I've found a Christmas pressie for myself:

http://www.josportsinc.com/catalog/view.php?id=20985

I remember getting a load of stuff from the States pre Ebay, picked up a lot of autographed 8x10s by Hagler, Hearns, Duran etc plus some by a load of guys that are now dead (Arguello, Zale, Moore, Patterson, Graziano etc).

I like the old press photos, they're usually pretty cheap and look good once framed.

Also check out Sports Pages, they have some decent stuff in stock usually - Books, press photos, signed stuff, cards etc.

PredatorHayds wrote:

ERIC GUY wrote:I have loads of posters and programmes.

What's the best site to get these from?

he's not going to answer you, he just wanted you to know he'd got loads of stuff.

That josports site is very good.

Would you say it's a credible site to buy autographs from,

I always get stuff in person.
I've given loads away to charitable causes but now just keep dedicated stuff signed to me personally backed up with my photos with the fighter.
No good to anyone else unless they're called Mick !