Selling autographs

[AndrewSchofield]

A friend of my mother-in-law grew up on Railway Road close to Old Trafford Football Ground and many of the young Manchester United players back then used to lodge in houses on her street. She recalls them playing football in the streets with the youngsters of the area and she collected many of their autographs, including those of most, if not all, of the Busby Babes.

Somehow, her children have grown up as Liverpool fans and aren't interested in these autographs and so she's looking to get rid of them. Does anyone know if they are likely to have any particular value, and, if they are worth selling, who or where is the best place to go to get them valued and possibly sell them.

She wondered if the Man Utd museum might be interested in buying them off her, but I'd assume they would already have more interesting signed artifacts than these and so probably wouldn't be interested. I don't know how rare signatures of these players are - particularly those that died in Munich?

Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[peaps]

A friend of my mother-in-law grew up on Railway Road close to Old Trafford Football Ground and many of the young Manchester United players back then used to lodge in houses on her street. She recalls them playing football in the streets with the youngsters of the area and she collected many of their autographs, including those of most, if not all, of the Busby Babes.

Somehow, her children have grown up as Liverpool fans and aren't interested in these autographs and so she's looking to get rid of them. Does anyone know if they are likely to have any particular value, and, if they are worth selling, who or where is the best place to go to get them valued and possibly sell them.

She wondered if the Man Utd museum might be interested in buying them off her, but I'd assume they would already have more interesting signed artifacts than these and so probably wouldn't be interested. I don't know how rare signatures of these players are - particularly those that died in Munich?

Anyone got any suggestions?

I suspect there worth a bit of cash. I would enquire at a specialist dealer.

 

[doitall]

I suspect they are worth a great wad of cash. Maybe talking hundreds of thousands at auction, if they are in good condition.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

I have asked if I can have a look before she gets rid of them, I can't afford to pay her for them, and i'm sure she wont want to give them away, but i'd like to have a look. Haven't seen them as yet though so no idea what condition they are in?

I have looked around the web for people who buy and sell autographed items - I'm not sure why but I get the feeling that its an industry that could easily be filled with con-men trying to rip you off. Don't know how I'd go about checking someone is a reputable dealer. My M-I-L is in her 60s and I assume her friend is of a similar age and she hasn't a clue what they're worth - just don't want her to get ripped off by someone telling her they're worthless when they're not.

 

[snico]

You need to contact these people

http://www.aftal.org.uk/

They seem to the be the organisation that all official dealers are linked with

 

[joinerjohn]

Perma tanned David Dickinson is yer man, and I'm sure he won't say their as cheap as chips.

 

[joe-90]

If you want to get top dollar - get her to go to Old Trafford Museum and get them to certify that they are authentic - they will fetch ten times the amount if you do. You can then sell them World-wide.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

Thanks guys. Do you think/know MUFC museum will be prepared to authenticate them? Is this a service they'll charge for carrying out?

 

[sooey]

They're the most commercially minded football club in the world. They'd charge their fans for going to the toilet during games if they could get away with it. So there is a fair chance that they'll want an arm and a leg.

 

[joe-90]

The price doesn't really matter - they are worthless without it.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

The price doesn't really matter - they are worthless without it.

I get what you mean, and I don't disagree with you - but i'm not sure of this woman's circumstance, if she's decided to get rid of them now because she's desperately in need of the money, then maybe any charge to authenticate them might not be possible for her... even if it is an investment that will more than pay for itself in due course.

 

[joe-90]

lend her the money then. Only she can realistically get them authenticated. They are worth thousands if you have the likes of Duncan Edwards. At least get a quote and an evaluation.

 

[AndrewSchofield]

lend her the money then. Only she can realistically get them authenticated. They are worth thousands if you have the likes of Duncan Edwards. At least get a quote and an evaluation.

Fair point. Yeah, i'll definitely tell her to speak to the museum first, at least see what they have to say.

 

[imamartian]

in similar vein, what about a football signed by the 70's (ish) Leeds team... i.e. Bremner, Clarke, Lorrimer, Madely etc etc.. worth owt?

 

[joe-90]

I would have thought that it would be much sought after. That was a classic team if ever there was one.