One of the techniques that has proven to be invaluable for collectors of game worn memorabilia is the concept of photo matching.
It's a tool used by investigators in every field and sports collectors are no different in that they are seeking to find answers to the question of whether a jersey or other piece of memorabilia was truly used in a game.
Whether it's an NFL game worn jersey, game used baseball equipment or a some other kind of authentic game jerseys or memorabilia, it's important to glean as much knowledge as you can to know whether it's worth your investment.
A good dealer or seller will provide photo matching, although not everyone can or does. It's also a good way to pick up a bargain when someone doesn't do this basic research and you do...thus increasing the value of the item.
There are plenty of sources for photo matching game worn memorabilia. Getty Images has a tremendous storehouse of images you can view. They take photos of virtually every game and if you can find one that shows your jersey, it's a thrill. Sports cards can help since many of the photos are relative close-ups. The teams often publish photos of individual games online. A newspaper in the area may offer paid access to its archives if you can find out if their photographers covered a specific game.
It's important to measure every quirk of the jersey to see if it matches the photo and be sure to look at numerous photos, if available, to gather as much detail as possible. Shot from a distance, a photograph isn't likely to be of much help. Multiple angles, especially close-ups make it a lot easier.
Don't overlook videotape, either, especially for older jerseys. A television 'cutaway' that shows the item up close may be very valuable.
Game worn memorabilia like helmets, bats, gloves and other items can be authenticated and value enhanced by taking some time to come up with indisputable proof that it's the real thing.
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 2008 Atlanta Braves Game Used Issued FALCO Blue Road Alternate Jersey  US $99.99
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 2012 Topps 6 Golden Moments game used jersey cards OrtizGordanLincecumWallace US $9.99
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 2012 TOPPS BASEBALL SERIES 1 JOSE REYES GAME USED BAT CARD MIAMI MARLINS MLB US $.99
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 BABE RUTH Yankees PINSTRIPES JERSEY game used uniform the Babe baseball great US $14.95
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 2012 Topps Baseball Jon Lester Game Used Red Sox Jersey US $.99
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 Juan Nieves 2008 Chicago White Sox game used jersey US $145.00
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 2012 Topps Baseball Matt Cain Game Used San Francisco Giants Jersey US $.99
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 Bill Buckner 1975 Los Angeles Dodgers game used jersey US $895.00
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 1975 Darold Knowles Chicago Cubs Game Used Jersey US $139.50
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 1980 Mark Souza Oakland Athletics Game Used Jersey US $143.51
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 1996 Tyler Houston Chicago Cubs Game Used Jersey w COA US $90.63
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 1991Lance Dickson Chicago Cubs Game Used Jersey w COA US $71.00
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 2005 Toronto Blue Jays Marty Pevey 58 Game Used Jersey US $49.99
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 Randy Wells Game Used Jersey Card US $.99
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 2012 Brian Wilson game used jersey San Francisco Giants Golden Moments US $3.74
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 2012 Jose Bautista game used jersey Toronto Blue Jays Golden Moments US $3.74
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