Hockey began back in the 1700's and the advent of it's professional leagues pre-dates that of both basketball and football. So while the NHL's rank amongst The Big Four (baseball, football, basketball, hockey) may be lagging at the moment, it's rich history, given it's global reach, is second to none. It's long and healthy life has allowed it to build a fan base that crosses not only national borders but generations, and it is those very deep roots that keeps the demand for hockey related memorabilia strong and steady regardless of any current trend.
Here at Just Collect we believe in the value of history, we respect longevity, and we pride ourselves on our ability to predict the changing tides in our hobby. We firmly believe that the hockey portion of the memorabilia market is about to take a strong turn upwards, and we're willing to back that belief by paying top dollar for quality collections and single pieces of vintage hockey autographs.
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!
Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, Maurice Richard, Doug Harvey, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Hull, Terry Sawchuk, Eddie Shore, Guy Lafleur, Mark Messier, Jacques Plante, Ray Bourque, Howie Morenz, Glenn Hall, Stan Mikita, Phil Esposito, Denis Potvin, Mike Bossy, Ted Lindsay, Patrick Roy, Red Kelly, Bobby Clarke, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden, Frank Mahovlich, Milt Schmidt, Paul Coffey, Henri Richard, Bryan Trottier, Dickie Moore, Newsy Lalonde, Syl Apps, Bill Durnan, Jaromir Jagr, Marcel Dionne, and Chris Chelios are names that we're always after. Top tier talent that left a lasting impression on the sport as well as team signed material from that franchises that founded the NHL as we know it today. Autographs related to the Original Six (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs , Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings) are extremely popular as is memorabilia from the 1980 U.S Olympic "Miracle On Ice" squad. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Some purists find endless enjoyment in tracking and collecting prime signature examples to display in all of their minimalistic, perfect ink on flawless paper, glory. We respect those hobbyists and fully support them in their pursuits. The majority of us who have the good fortune own but just one if these prized autographs prefer to find them on a larger, more eye catching canvas. Items such as early autographed game used/worn jerseys, helmets, sticks, skates, pucks, gloves, tickets, programs, postcards, stadium signs/artifacts, and hockey cards (rookie cards especially) are amongst the most popular of these upgraded signing surfaces. As you can expect, signed pieces such as these command top dollar depending on the player they originate from but, in the case of game used memorabilia, even equipment from average players can attract a bevy of buyers if they were part of an all-time team or on the ice during an unforgettable moment.
Recently, signed hockey cards, rookie year specimens more specifically, have seen a surge in demand and price. The reason is two fold, first is the uptick in the popularity of the sport. Second is the fact that vintage sports cards are an endangered species. Despite all of the warning stories of moms nationwide throwing out shoeboxes full of childhood treasures and families just overlooking a collection after a relative has passed, vintage cards are disappearing at an alarming rate. That so few of these cards were ever signed to begin with means that with each passing year the few that remain become more valuable and the new ones that surface set off bidding wars.
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 Howie Morenz, Tim Horton, and Turk Broda have been appraised at $500, $250, and $150 respectively.
Which brings us to our next hot topic; autographed vintage photos. They hold some of the most powerful images in history yet they are amongst the most fragile types of memorabilia in existence. Their thin paper stock has left them vulnerable to bending, chipping, and tears, not to mention fading from exposure to just about any kind of light. Among the fortunate survivors are two types of photographs: original wire photos/silver gelatins and modern color prints. Both 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. To support that point, those very same examples we just used (Morenz, Horton, and Broda) have just recently had their vintage signed images priced by PSA at $1500, $600, and $500 each.
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 frequently found. Private companies produced them in large number for the sole purpose of selling them to the public either signed or unsigned by the featured player. All of them boast outstanding images, the result of endless editing and modern processing techniques but their availability and even their vibrant nature adversely effects their value. The eye-popping color that tends to draw our attention to such image also detracts from the overall appearance of an autograph written in the most commonly found black or blue ink. 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. That being said, the demand for such photos is considerable.
Memorabilia and signed items in ANY form from historic dates and events in hockey are also of particular interest to us. That includes material related to:
As well as any items originating from record setting performances, stadium openings, or inaugural seasons. Basically, 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 Sidney Crosby, and Alexander Ovechkin, and would also be interested in larger collections as well.
The power play is on so call us today to find how to turn your vintage ink into a modern day score! 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, NHL 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.
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.
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