Not since George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg took to the seas in their Summer 2000 blockbuster have we seen a Perfect Storm the likes of which we're witnessing in the football memorabilia market today. A combination of the sport's surge in popularity over the past two decades, mixed with the game's relatively short 16-game season and limited opportunity for fans to interact with the players during that brief window has culminated in a frenzied demand for what little vintage memorabilia still exists from the sport's earlier, grittier days. This demand for a piece of past, has driven prices through the roof, taking along with it the value of vintage football related autographs to never before seen heights. Those out there fortunate enough to be holding on to such items are in the perfect position to score big and Just Collect's trusted team of experts is here to help you get top dollar for your signed treasures.

For nearly a decade we've guided novice and seasoned collectors alike through the sometimes overwhelming selling process in the most safe and efficient way with record setting results by offering our customized auction tools and unparalleled expertise. Our prices realized list has become the envy of the industry and we're anxious to help you add your prized piece to that growing list!

Who's The Best

Hall of Fame members such as Jim Brown, Joe Montana, Jim Thorpe, Jerry Rice, Johnny Unitas, Lawrence Taylor, Dick Butkus, Sammy Baugh, Don Hutson, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, John Elway, Otto Graham, Joe Greene, Reggie White, O.J. Simpson, Barry Sanders, Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones, Bob Lilly, Jim Parker, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, Bronko Nagurski, Deion Sanders, Night Train Lane, Anthony Munoz, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Roger Staubach, Forrest Gregg, Mel Hein, Lance Alworth, Ronnie Lott, John Hannah, and Raymond Berry have, and will always have, a huge following so they top our list. But it's not just player's autographs that collectors are after, coaches command just as much respect, especially Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Paul Brown, Chuck Noll and Sid Gillman. As do fabled franchises such as the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with any material originating from the old AFL (American Football League ) or collegiate powerhouses like Notre Dame and USC.

Top Items

A perfectly crafted vintage signature, complete with perfect curves and rich dark lines, is always a sight to behold and often can stand alone as a handsome display but add that same ink an object with historical significance of it’s own, and it becomes a centerpiece of any room with far greater value. Most popular is the autographed game used jerseys as it provides the perfect canvas for a signature and represents both the player and team from which it originates in the most attractive way. While game worn helmets, cleats, sideline jackets, tickets, programs, postcards, stadium signs/artifacts, footballs, and football cards (rookie cards especially) are also remarkable relics that serious collectors pine for.

Speaking of signed football cards, rookie year specimens are by far the most desirable. After years of being overlooked, likely because of their size, in favor of physically larger pieces of memorabilia the hobby has finally recognized the rarity and value of an item that not only marks the beginning of a great career but has been marked by the very player featured on that card. That combination of pedigree and penmanship commands a premium price in today's market and because so few specimens of that kind have survived they represent a solid investment in the years to come . Even if the card dates from following seasons, as long as the signature is vintage to the release date there is still tremendous value to be found. Recently, autographed card specimens from Nile Kinnick, Knute Rockne, and Jim Thorpe have been appraised at $5250, $2500, and $2000 respectively.

Flats of the card variety aren't the only ones we're on the hunt for, and while we'd love to get our hands on one of the balls Brady was tossing around during Deflategate, what we're referring to are photographs. Autographed vintage photos, of which there are two types: color prints and original wire photos/silver gelatins, have seen their prices skyrocket in recent years due to their mix of rare ink and aesthetic value as a piece to decorate a home or office with. Between the two the original wire photo/silver gelatin is more valuable, as they can be traced back to collections belonging to major newspapers and news outlets. These black and white beauties offer the perfect canvas for a strong signature to shine against and often they will be accompanied by a newspaper clipping, typed caption, or editorial notes on the back.

Modern color prints, on the other hand are much more common find. Produced by private companies in large quantities for the specific purpose of being sold to the public, what they lack in scarcity, they usually make up for in style. The subjects of these photos are perfectly posed and in sharp focus while the overall image is filled with vibrant color. That burst though can sometimes be a curse though as it can detract from the overall appearance of the autograph as bright colors tend to interfere with the black or blue ink of the signature. The best of this bunch are usually signed in grey or silver sharpie which renders the best results over a dark part of the photo. Either way though, B&W or color, if the name is right, we'd like to make you an offer!

We are also looking to purchase memorabilia and signed items from historic dates and events in the sport. That includes material related the The Greatest Game Ever Played, The Immaculate Reception, The Ice Bowl, the Miami Dolphins Undefeated Season of 1972, ticket stubs from any early World Championships/Super Bowls, record setting performances, stadium openings, inaugural seasons. In short, if the moment was memorable, we want the memorabilia that was there.

Over the past decade or so, card companies have started producing new types of cards to meet the demand of younger hobby enthusiasts. These cards are called relic cards, (sometimes referred to as "jersey cards" or "patch cards") which feature a piece of game used jerseys of today's brightest stars. After seeing that market take off, card companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf started getting these superstars to also autograph these cards, and started making limited runs of each (serial numbered). As you can imagine, even though these cards are "modern", since they are serial numbers, signed, and contain memorabilia, they are rare and highly sought after. Just Collect is actively buying these autographed jersey cards of Peyton Manning Andrew Luck, and Adrian Peterson, and would also be interested in larger collections as well.

When it comes to football autographs, there is no time like the present so call us today. Just Collect's staff is ready to accommodate all of your buying and selling needs. We offer free appraisals by appointment at all of our five satellite offices nationwide and accept submissions by mail daily, and if your collection is too large to ship, we'll gladly come to you. Ideally, the autographs we're seeking will have been authenticated by a respected third party (PSA or JSA are preferred) prior to us viewing them but by no means is this a deal breaker. Unearthing fresh and previously unseen material and bringing it to market is something we pride ourselves upon.

We not only cater to the private collector but also to former players and their families, NFL executives, team trainers, and equipment managers, both current and past, who have accumulated pieces throughout their tenure, and now need to streamline or liquidate their collections. We are here to facilitate that process, and look forward to sharing these treasures, and their stories, with the world.

Contact Us Today For A Free Appraisal

Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer any and all questions you may have. You can reach us at 732-828-2261 Monday-Friday, from 8AM - 6PM. You can also send us an email at info@justcollect.com.