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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NEW JERSEY JACKALS GAME WORN USED JERSEY SZ 50 US $59.99
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BABE RUTH Yankees PINSTRIPES JERSEY game used uniform the Babe baseball great US $9.95
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2006 International League Rochester Redwings 9 Jason Bartlett Game Used Jersey US $139.99
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Carl Yastrzemski Game Used Uniform Photo Mint US $115.00
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05 LEGENDARY CUTS Keith Hernandez GAME USED JERSEY Crd US $1.95
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1983 San Diego Padres Game used worn Bobby Tolan jersey pants cap SIGNED US $207.50
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7 game used bat cards 17 game used jerseys 25900 book starting 70 off US $70.00
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Mike Carp Game Used Jersey Tacoma Rainiers AUTOGRAPHED Seattle Mariners US $239.99
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Game Used 1992 Oakland As Home Baseball Jersey Willie Wilson w LOA Royals US $230.00
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Game Used Kansas City Royals 2005 Alternate Jersey Andres Blanco Rangers US $120.00
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CLINT HURDLE GAME USED 2002 COLORADO ROCKIES JERSEY US $99.99
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2002 FLEER FLAIR GARY CARTER game used dirty jersey US $.99
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2011 triple threads ROBINSON CANO game used bat pieces 27 US $1.29
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2012 TOPPS GOLDEN MOMENTS PENA ANDRUS SCHERZER GAME USED LOT US $14.99
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2003 Flair Greats Cut of History Game Used 23 Tom Seaver PantsNRMT US $.99
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Danny Tartabull game used 1986 rookie year Kansas City Royals jersey US $170.00
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US $59.99