Beginners Guide to Purchasing Game Used Items

texmcpherson · 09-09-2018, 09:13 AM

I’d like to get more into the game used items collecting. Batting gloves, bats, hats, etc. more less the lower end spectrum >$200. Any advice before purchasing items to know they’re legit? I know you’re pretty safe with Steiner, PSA, MLB Holograms, etc. What about items that look legitimate yet have no authenticity documentation?

Any guides, advice & tips would be great! Where to find items (eBay, MLB.com). Thanks in advance!

BlowoutBuzz · 09-09-2018, 09:52 AM

Use photography from games to try and match models (bats, shoes) and you can also try to match stains and other things on more uniform things (like uniforms) that stand out as unique. You can often match blotches and stains on bats, helmets, jerseys, etc.

How? Download the Getty Images app (free) on your phone. You can search very specifically and, most importantly, you can pinch and zoom in on photos arguably more clearly there than via searching the site on a desktop.

Here's a story that mentions it -- it's a football piece but the basic thought is the same and there are some sample images in it from app >> BlowoutBuzz.com

amgmap · 09-09-2018, 11:11 AM

The biggest thing with collecting full size game used items is to do your homework and research. I’ve been collecting for years and it’s extremely easy for someone to tell you a story of how their friend got X at a game from a player. When getting items from MLB, they come certified, but still research because there’s always a chance the item isn’t quite what it’s advertised as. It’s a lot of fun hunting for items and being able to identify the specific piece being used by them from a photo with game marks. Good luck and have fun!!

justrun7 · 09-09-2018, 11:53 AM

Bill Henderson's MLB Jersey Guide is essential for any jersey collector. Baseball is a long season so not every item gets authenticated as some slip through the cracks as players give items away to fans and family. You will also see some items listed as game used even though the authentication says game issued. This is because the MLB authenticators are required to see the items either come off the field or off the player to mark as game used. I have bought bats that were marked as game issued because they were pulled and authenticated at the end of the season, but they were clearly used with heavy use and cracking. I've had the same with jerseys as well.

https://gamewornguides.com/

09-09-2018, 09:13 AM	#1
texmcpherson Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 15,950 texmcpherson	Beginners Guide to Purchasing Game Used Items I’d like to get more into the game used items collecting. Batting gloves, bats, hats, etc. more less the lower end spectrum >$200. Any advice before purchasing items to know they’re legit? I know you’re pretty safe with Steiner, PSA, MLB Holograms, etc. What about items that look legitimate yet have no authenticity documentation? Any guides, advice & tips would be great! Where to find items (eBay, MLB.com). Thanks in advance! __________________ *You can’t triple stamp a double stamp.*

09-09-2018, 09:52 AM	#2
BlowoutBuzz Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 14,062	Use photography from games to try and match models (bats, shoes) and you can also try to match stains and other things on more uniform things (like uniforms) that stand out as unique. You can often match blotches and stains on bats, helmets, jerseys, etc. How? Download the Getty Images app (free) on your phone. You can search very specifically and, most importantly, you can pinch and zoom in on photos arguably more clearly there than via searching the site on a desktop. Here's a story that mentions it -- it's a football piece but the basic thought is the same and there are some sample images in it from app >> BlowoutBuzz.com __________________ www.blowoutbuzz.com >>><<< Got something cool or interesting that might be worth a story? Know someone whose collection could be profiled? Send me a DM.

09-09-2018, 11:11 AM	#3
amgmap Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 300 gingersnap007	The biggest thing with collecting full size game used items is to do your homework and research. I’ve been collecting for years and it’s extremely easy for someone to tell you a story of how their friend got X at a game from a player. When getting items from MLB, they come certified, but still research because there’s always a chance the item isn’t quite what it’s advertised as. It’s a lot of fun hunting for items and being able to identify the specific piece being used by them from a photo with game marks. Good luck and have fun!! __________________ ---------------------------- Washington Nationals - Soto, Rendon, Scherzer

09-09-2018, 11:53 AM	#4
justrun7 Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 817 justrun7 justrun7	Bill Henderson's MLB Jersey Guide is essential for any jersey collector. Baseball is a long season so not every item gets authenticated as some slip through the cracks as players give items away to fans and family. You will also see some items listed as game used even though the authentication says game issued. This is because the MLB authenticators are required to see the items either come off the field or off the player to mark as game used. I have bought bats that were marked as game issued because they were pulled and authenticated at the end of the season, but they were clearly used with heavy use and cracking. I've had the same with jerseys as well. https://gamewornguides.com/