Tennis Memorabilia | Collectibles & Collectors Items

If you are a fan of tennis, you may also interested in collecting memorabilia from famous tennis players and items from international tennis tournaments. Many collect for the sheer fun of collecting but there are also keen collectors who may do it for a living or as a form of investment. Serious collectors may speculate more about which tennis star is more desirable than the others. They may also be on the watch to see which tennis star may just be about to pass away -- memorabilia of desirable tennis stars who have recently passed away generally call for high prices, making these items a worthwhile investment.

Popular Items of Tennis Memorabilia
Tennis memorabilia collectors are interested in both vintage as well as contemporary items. Many are signed by world-famous tennis players. Many of these items have been used in renowned tennis tournaments such as Wimbledon, Davis Cup, US Open and more. See below for some of the more sought-after pieces of memorabilia that collectors enjoy adding to their collections:

Original Tennis Programmes from international tournaments
Autographed Tennis Balls
Life-size Cardboard Cut-Outs of famous players
Autographed Tennis Shirts
Signed and Framed limited edition Presentations
Signed and Framed limited edition Photographs
Signed Tennis Shoes
Prints and Posters
Tennis Books and Magazines
Commemorative Books
Pins and Badges
Toy Figures of famous players
Stickers
Caps
Signed Cards and Postcards

Places to buy Tennis Memorabilia
You will find below a list of the best places to try when looking for tennis memorabilia.

Tennis Memorabilia Auctions
There are a number of established online auction sites to go to if you are looking for tennis memorabilia. Another great place to begin your memorabilia search is to try a specialist online auction website. These websites are dedicated to the selling of a wide range of tennis memorabilia. There are online auctions as well as auctions which are held in public places in the UK and overseas. These specialist auctioneers can offer advice and carry out detailed valuations on any of your tennis collectibles. Many collectors enjoy the fun atmosphere of an auction -- it can be a satisfying feeling when you successfully bid and win the item you have had your eye on for a while! You can find dates, times and venues of sporting memorabilia auctions on the websites. If you refer to your local newspaper, you may find that there are general auctions taking place near you. However, be prepared to accept that that there will probably be less tennis memorabilia on offer than in a specialist sporting memorabilia auction.

Mail Order and Specialist Individual Websites
Many online businesses have sprung up on the internet, offering an exciting range of tennis memorabilia. One of the conveniences of shopping online is that you are able to buy tennis memorabilia from any shop around the world without leaving your home! Just be prepared to shell out for extra delivery fees if your item is being shipped from abroad. Other online shopping tips are as follows:

Protect yourself from credit card fraud by using a secure website.
Before you buy, read the terms and conditions of the online retailer's refund and returns policy.
Protect yourself by arranging appropriate insurance to cover any damage or loss to the items, particularly if they are being shipped from abroad.

Sporting Memorabilia Shows or Collectors Fairs
There are a handful of specialist sporting memorabilia shows or collectors fairs held around the UK and abroad. Within these shows and fairs, you will find plenty of stalls selling all kinds of sporting memorabilia, including tennis memorabilia. These events are worth visiting whether you are a professional buyer or an enthusiast. It is great fun to browse through all the interesting pieces on display. Additionally, it is an entertaining social event where you can share your hobby with like-minded collectors. It is definitely the place to go if you are on the hunt for a specific item of tennis memorabilia.

Tennis Memorabilia Collectors' Clubs
For serious collectors of tennis memorabilia, joining a collectors club is a good idea. At present, the vast majority of these clubs exist on the internet. They form a useful online community for all collectors , giving them a chance to come together to chat and make friends with fellow-collectors. Many of these collectors clubs even publish online magazines and newsletters. Some have online shops where collectors can buy and sell their tennis memorabilia.

Publications and Websites
Here is a small selection of magazines, both online and printed, that may carry advertisements selling tennis memorabilia. There are many other titles available which you can find via the search engines.

Ace Tennis Magazine
Tennis Life UK
Tennis Magazine
Collectibles Magazine
Antiques & Collectibles Magazine

Another possibility is to browse through the websites of theInternational Tennis Federation or The British Lawn Tennis Association as well as the websites of the more established local and regional tennis clubs in the UK . These websites may have useful links to other websites which specialise in tennis memorabilia.

Classifieds
Listings in the printed and online versions of classifieds and directories can also be a useful resource to find unusual items of tennis memorabilia.

Buying Tennis Memorabilia Safely
Here are some tips to make sure your shopping experience is positive. Many of the tennis memorabilia will be vintage or antique pieces. Some of these items may have suffered some damage over the years and may not be in the best of conditions. This may, however, not necessarily make them any less collectible. If they are vintage items, it is possible that they may be delicate. Some items may also be large and heavy. In these cases, it is important that you arrange for them to be delivered by a specialist company. Make sure you have the appropriate insurance.

Proof of Authenticity of Signed Items
To most collectors, proof of authenticity is of the highest importance when purchasing any kind of signed or autographed tennis memorabilia. If possible, make it a point to obtain a Certificate of Authenticity before you invest your hard-earned cash into the purchase of any piece of memorabilia.

Generally, an item is authentic if it:

Carries information detailing the date, time and location of the signing.
Has been sold by a reputable source with direct access to the tennis player's involved.
Carries an individual serial number.

There are a number of stars who are more desirable than others. Further to this, there is always speculation from investors over stars who may be about to pass away. A good example of this was when George Best passed away -- his signed items quadrupled in value for the top end items. The same can be said for Muhammad Ali who is expected to stop signing this year due to his age and health.