That can’t be easy stuff to acquire.?
Ive been collecting stuff since the late 70s. I used to have a Star Wars collection that I never should have sold, but I was getting married, I wasn't really working a lot, and I needed money to pay for wedding and ring. I guess you could say it was worth it, because Im still married after 13 years.
(Comic books, action figures still in their boxes, etc)
But I was really involved with sports collecting in the 80s, back when athletes like Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken, Darryl Strawberry, George Brett, etc were very popular. Had a huge baseball card collection I also sold off, that I wish I never did. I used to just collect rookie cards. My prize and joy were my Carl Yzstremski and Pete Rose rookie cards. (Both were near mint/mint) I had a 52 mickey mantle, but it wasn't mint. More/less just in good condition, but I had one.
It also helps to know people. During my years of collecting, my dad has helped out too. He has been scalping tickets for over 40 years, so he knows the right people in the box offices, and gets access to athletes, etc. Ive picked up team signed balls like Detroit Pistons from the 89/90 championships. And I also have a few team signed hockey sticks. And some individuals. Never paid anything for them, but I have purchased alot over the years too.
Back in the80s and 90s you could get stuff signed for free or maybe pay like $10-20 for an auto. Nowadays, you want a Pujols autograph, be prepared to pay $300 at a signing. I had a chance to goto Tom Brady private signing, but they were charging like $1000 per, and inscriptions were a few hundred extra. Ridiculous..
I also know an upper deck dealer, thats how I was able to acquire some Michael Jordan stuff. He wont even signed send in items anymore. But I should have bought his account like 5-6 years ago when he offered it to me. Only reason I didn't buy it, because Jordan didn't renew his contract with Upper Deck. Otherwise I would be dealing Upper Deck signed stuff on the side. I could have made a killing. I could basically undercut everyone, and beat any online price.
At the time, Lebron James was their top athlete, but Lebron has a love/hate relationship with the fans, so his stuff doesn't sell as fast as Jordan. But its still collectable.