Expert: Fabio Anderle - 6/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1981-1982 Boston Celtics Media Guide which was autographed by the following:  Tiny Archibald, Larry Bird, ML Carr, Terry Duerod, Eric Fernsten, Chris Ford, Gerald Henderson, Cedric Maxwell, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Rick Robey, Charles Bradley, Mark Acres, Danny Ainge, Gene Conley, Dave Cowens, Tommy Heinsohn, Dennis Johnson, Jim Paxson, Ed Pinkney, Ray Melchiorre, Jimmy Rodgers, KC Jones, Bill Fitch, Johnmy Most, and Red Auerbach.  What is its market value?

ANSWER: Helene,

First, a question: did you make the Celtics sign an older Media Guide? Because Acres, Paxson, Pinckney and Johnson weren't yet with the Celtics in 1982.

I have seen a Celtics Media Guide sold for 25 dollars, but it was a 1980-1981 guide, that means a guide of a season when Boston won a title (a fact that usually raises the value).

For a 1981-1982 Boston Celtics Media Guide in mint condition I would say that 12/15 dollars would be fair value.

The autographs could raise its value by another 20/25 dollars, in my opinion, but you'd have to prove they are authentic (if somebody took a photo in the process) or have them authenticated.

I hope it helps


Fabio

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have seen where autographed Celtics team pictures, with half the autographs which I have, sell for eighteen hundred dollars.  I assume that if my autographs were authenticated the Media Guide would be worth at least two thousand dollars.  I have a picture of Danny Ainge and me, Bill Fitch and me, and one of Red Auerbach and me.  In your opinion, if these autographs were authenticated, what would the market value be?  And, more importantly, how do I go about having the autographs authenticated?

Answer
Helene,

if your autographs were authenticated, the value of the Media Guide would of course raise dramatically. But you have to understand that there is a selling value and an asking value. If somebody tries to sell something on EBay for two thousand dollars, it doesn't necessarily mean that that is market value, maybe he is just trying to "fish" for a fan eager to spend that kind of money.
So, if you want to sell your item, I'd recommend authentication first, and auction (even on EBay) later.

To have your Media Guide authenticated, there are many third party authentication and grading providers, the most famous being:

http://www.psacard.com/

You can have your memorabilia item or items shipped to the PSA/DNA organization, where experts will go over it and authenticate the autograph, then ship it back to you. I'd first call them on the phone to ask what their prices would be, you don't want to waste 50% of your Media Guide value to pay the authentication process.
Then I'd let them know I have the photos proving that I was with the Celtics in that particular month and year and I would eventually enclose copy (copies) of the photo(s) to make the process faster and easier. Also, you could ask them the value of the item.

I hope this helped...


Fabio