There are a number of online vendors and auction sites that will offer an autographed football cards of your favorite football star. Let’s say that you find 100 people selling an autographed football of Adrian Peterson. Out of those hundred autographed footballs, how many do you think are authentic? You will be surprised to know that in the sports memorabilia industry statistics prove that 80 of those footballs will be counterfeit autographs. Why is that?
The reason has to do with what you might expect, money. Let’s say an NFL football cost $100. I’m not sure exactly what they cost but that has to be close. Now let’s say that a sharpie cost you around three dollars in local drugstore. You find an autographed Adrian Peterson rookie card that you know to be authentic, and you begin practicing his signature. Within 30 minutes, you will be able to copy his signature close enough to make your $100 football worth about $350. You run to your home computer and your printer and a certificate of authenticity. Presto! Just like that you have created a marketable sports memorabilia product and the buying public is none the wiser.
Perhaps is a little cynical, but the fact of the matter is it happens every day, and sports memorabilia shops all over the country. Buyer beware.
