Tickets have been in the news of late and "the buzz" is positive and growing!

How often do Tuff Stuff magazine, Sports Market Report, Mastros Auctions and top hobby reference books like Collecting Sports Legends all agree on anything? Well, all recently highlighted Tickets as important collectibles that are both significant and attractively priced.

To quote Tuff Stuff, “Ever since PSA started slabbing tickets a few years ago these cardboard relics have been gaining popularity at a tremendous rate.”  Better yet, as Tuff Stuff notes, “You can still pick up stubs from significant sporting events at fairly reasonable prices.”

Collecting Sports Legends, a hefty 376 page hardcover released in 2009 puts it this way, "During the past few years, collectors have become increasingly exposed to and interested in sports tickets." The book, which includes an illustrated Top Sports Tickets In the Hobby List, goes on to note, " As a collectible, tickets are not just for the hardcore ticket collector. Tickets...make great complimentary pieces to an existing collection."

Mastros Auctions called Tickets, along with vintage sports photos, "...two undervalued areas of memorabilia that have until recently been largely overlooked by collectors."

You'll be able to locate Tickets from a wide range of pro and amateur sports going back over 100 years, so here's a hobby offers something for everyone. Plus, participation gives the collector an opportunity to own a true "piece of the game." Think of each Ticket as a Time Machine that can transport you back to the excitement of being in the stadium or ballpark at the event itself.

As you begin to collect or continue to acquire Tickets keep in mind the following:

Ticket value depends largely on four factors: 1.) Significance of the event associated the the Ticket; 2.) Condition or grade; 3.) Scarcity, and; 4.) Demand. Of course the first and last points, "Event Significance" and "Demand" are closely related. Perhaps, best of all, you as fan and collector are the final judge on these issues. -- How do you rate the milestone or record achieved, or other key factors present on the day of the event that make a given Ticket noteworthy? It's your answer to this question, along with how other collectors answers it, that ultimately determines the value of each Ticket.

The best place to start collecting is likely in the areas of sports that most interest you. Are you most interested in Pro or NCAA sports? Current players and teams or vintage? Pick whatever interests you most! Once you decide on a theme or era or team or a given player that you want to collect, you'll locate not just tickets but friends with similar interests. You'll also likely be surprised and pleased to discover that a wide array of Tickets of interest to you are still very affordable.

Sports Tickets offer an exciting new avenue for collectors whose primary focus has been collecting Cards, Bats or Autographs. Who wouldn't enjoy adding a "Key Game Ticket" or a "Team Accomplishment" Ticket that relates to a sports collection presently underway? Think of the possibilities with Tickets that relate to particular players or teams or eras that interest you. Own a Bat from a favorite player? Wouldn't it be great to have Tickets from games where that player had a hit or home run? How about matching Tickets to the Autographs in your collection?

Most pre-21st century Tickets of course were torn by the gatekeeper on admission. With the advent of bar codes many gate attendants simply scan a Ticket upon admittance to sporting events, rather than tearing off the Audit Stub as was customary before.  What this means for the novice Ticket collector is: more full Tickets, often in better condition, at more affordable prices. So again, you decide what fits your collecting interests and budget, and go forward from there.

With a little looking you'll find that plenty of great older Tickets and Stubs are available for you to discover too. Tickets, depending on the event and the desirability of the particular ticket, will range in price from a dollar, to thousands, so there is an opportunity for all sports enthusiasts to participate.

Do you have questions about getting started in Ticket collecting, or finding Tickets from your favorite players or teams or related to a particular theme? Great! -- At ChicagoTIX.com we’re always happy to “talk tickets” with you.

You can contact us at 773-404-2298 in Chicago days, eves or weekends or contact us On Line .

Happy Collecting,
Dennis, Freddi and Miko       
PS -- If you are already a Ticket collector we invite you to join the 1,200 repeat clients who have called on us as they continue to build their collections.