I won an England football shirt in a prize draw. It is signed by 22 of the 2006 World Cup squad. I have tried to sell it on eBay at a starting price of £550, but have had no luck. What is it worth and should I wait to see how England do in Germany before I sell it?
Football memorabilia collectors can make big returns on their investments. General collectibles have risen in value by 75 per cent in the past decade, figures from Hiscox, the insurer, show. Pelé’s 1970 World Cup shirt, right, sold for £157,750 at auction in 2002.
Mark Hay, of Premsig.com, the football signature website, says: “England autographs are highly sought after. In mint condition, your England shirt would usually be worth about £400 at auction.
“It could now be worth £700, but if England go on to win the World Cup, it would be worth about £3,000 — but only for a couple of weeks.”
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However, Mr Hay cautions against selling football memorabilia on eBay. He says: “The market has been ruined by fakes sold on eBay in recent years, so you would probably achieve these prices only at an auction house such as Christie’s.”