• Discover & Collect Sports Autographs

• Explore Game-Used Memorabilia

• Evaluate Authenticity of Sports Autographs

• Find Sports Autographs on eBay Australia

• Buy Sports Autographs with Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Discover & Collect Sports Autographs

Discover & Collect Sports Autographs

Discover sports autographs on all kinds of sports merchandise and collectables on eBay Australia. Before bidding or buying, ensure you review eBay Australia’s policy on Autographed Items.

Some popular autographed sports memorabilia include:

• Signed trading cards: Carefully examine trading cards for sharp corners, smooth surfaces, and good centering. Check the back of the card for certification.

• Signed balls : Buy autographed balls signed by a single player, which are worth more than balls signed by multiple players.

• Signed bats: For higher value, look for game-used bats along with solid evidence of game wear and tear.  

• Signed jerseys: Find jerseys signed by your favourite sports stars for rugby league, rugby union, soccer teams and more. Also check out signed football jumpers for some of your favourite AFL players.

• Signed boxing memorabilia: Signed boxing gloves, robes and trunks can be very valuable, especially if previously used in a boxing match.

• Signed photos: Many photographs are 8 inches x 10 inches or smaller; larger sizes tend to be uncommon and accumulate value over time. There is also greater demand for colour photos and photos signed before 1980.

• Signed books:Autographed books that have been written and signed by an athlete are great collectable items. The condition of the book is important and make sure you look for sharp corners, clean pages, and flawless covers.

In-person autographs

The most reliable autograph is the in-person autograph that has been signed by the sports celebrity in the presence of the collector. If you can’t get one yourself, look for sellers who back up their autographs with a respected certificate of authenticity (COA) or a money-back guarantee.

Vintage autographed memorabilia

Some of the most treasured and valuable autographed sports items are photos, bats, and balls 35 years or older. eBay Australia has a variety of vintage sports autographs available.

Explore Game-Used Memorabilia

Explore Game-Used Memorabilia

Any sports item that has been hit, kicked, punched, worn or thrown in an official game is game-used or game-worn. These pieces of memorabilia are attractive to collectors for their sheer historic and nostalgic value.

While a new, and mint-condition autographed bat that has never actually been used is one thing, a bat that has been pitted, scarred, and possibly cracked from the hands of an athlete carries a different kind of evocative glory.

Some items identified as game-worn are from practice games or league photo shoots. Ask the seller about specific details. If you're looking at sports apparel or equipment, inquire about proof of authenticity. Buy from sellers or secondary vendors that have a good reputation for carrying authentic sports memorabilia.

Evaluate Authenticity of Sports Autographs

Evaluate Authenticity of Sports Autographs

Look out for sports memorabilia that have been examined and declared genuine by a respected third-party expert. Authenticated items should be certified with a Certificate of Authentication (COA).

Follow these expert sports autograph collecting tips

Here are some extra tips that will help you be a safe and savvy collector:

• Research the history of sports autographs: Having a good knowledge of names, dates, manufacturers, brands, trends, and even types of wood and fabric will help you make wise purchases.

• Check the item description and pictures: Keep track of your favourite athletes’ signature style, which can change over time. By keeping a file of reference autographs, you can compare signatures.

• Email sellers with questions: Ask sellers questions such as "From where did the item originate?" and "Where and when was the item signed?"

• Keep an eye out for sellers who are members of the Universal Autograph Collector Club (UACC): The UACC holds members accountable to a strict code of ethics. Ensure that you only buy from sellers who have references and a good return policy.

• Educate yourself on prices: Know what an item is worth before you bid. You can view eBay Australia's Completed Listings to see how much other similar items were sold for in the last 14 days. Avoid buying any items that seem “too good to be true”.

• Buy the best sports autographs that you can afford: Remember to concentrate on high-quality items that are likely to increase in value over time.

About non-original sports autographs

Some sports stars get so many requests for autographs that they decide to mass produce their signatures using other signers or machines. Some types of non-original autographs include:

• Autopen signature: An autopen is a machine that copies a signature and reproduces it very accurately. Personalised autographs are usually not autopenned.

• Preprints: A reproduction of a signed photo. Unlike original autographs, preprints will not show the signature obviously on top of the photo gloss.

• Stamped autograph: A rubber-stamped autograph is easy to spot. Look for tiny irregularities, smudges, and light areas.

• Secretarials, ghost signings, and clubhouse signatures: These terms are used to describe forgeries signed by someone other than the athlete.

eBay Australia does not review any listings for quality or authenticity. It is up to you to carefully research the item you are interested in, obtain any information about its authenticity before you place a bid or buy, and to use common sense.

Find Sports Autographs on eBay Australia

Find Sports Autographs on eBay Australia

Once you know what type of sports autographs you want, go to the Sports Memorabilia portal, and start searching for item listings on eBay Australia.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. For example, under Cricket, you will find links for Signed Memorabilia, Unsigned Memorabilia, Merchandise and Trading Cards.

• Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a signed cricket ball, type "signed cricket ball" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Australia Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Sports Autographs with Confidence

Buy Sports Autographs with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

• eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.