HOW PHOTO-MATCHING HAS FOREVER CHANGED THE GAME-WORN MARKET
By Joe Orlando
The sports collectibles industry has evolved substantially in the past few decades. From the emergence of third-party authentication/grading services to the plethora of auction/marketplace platforms to a seemingly endless amount of hobby content, collectors today have more buying opportunities and information available to them. While each of the above has played a meaningful role in the improved maturation of the market, one innovation in the game-worn jersey world has changed the game in, perhaps, the most dramatic way of all.
Photo-matching.
It is the process of comparing distinct features on an item with images or video footage from a player’s career to see if an exact match can be made between the two objects. If a match is confirmed, it can pinpoint the item to a specific moment in time or period that could reveal the historical importance of the item and be meaningful to the collector, ultimately affecting the item’s value.
If you have been an active collector for the last couple of decades, you are probably asking the same question others are: “Why didn’t I think of that?” In retrospect, the importance and application of photo-matching seem obvious, and the results speak for themselves, as game-worn and game-used items of all kinds often garner significant price premiums once a match is confirmed. Furthermore, one could argue that photo-matching has made more of an impact on jerseys than on any other type of equipment. For example, player customization on shirts is often less distinct than the kind applied to professional model bats.
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Regarding bats, player customizations or characteristics can often provide extreme confidence to the third-party expert and the collector. They act as “fingerprints” and provide additional evidence of use after verifying their professional construction. Without photo-matching and beyond the base level of authentication, there are fewer visible ways of “putting a jersey on an athlete’s back” in the same way you can “put a bat in a hitter’s hands,” other than discerning the amount of general wear on the shirt.
As with any collectible, it’s about the degree of buyer confidence. Simply put, photo-matching can remove all doubt, even when it comes to the finest game-worn jerseys.
If you decide to expand your collecting horizons into the game-worn jersey world, here are three vital points about photo-matching.
1. The Match Must Be Definitive If You Are Paying a Premium
On jerseys, the markings or central points being analyzed must be clear and distinctive enough to produce a conclusive match. Anything less is nothing more than a style match. A style match still offers value but does not rise to the level of a true photo-match. Various companies provide photo-matching services. Each one has different degrees of brand power within the industry. Regardless of the service’s reputation, as a buyer, you must be comfortable with their findings. Why? Matched jerseys can bring sizable premiums, so you want to ensure you get exactly what you paid for. It is usually a red flag if you struggle to see the alleged match with your own eyes. Seeing is believing with matches.
2. The Impact of a Match Can Vary
Let me be clear: All definitive matches can enhance the value of a jersey, but not all of them are created equal. The story behind each piece is frequently what separates it from one of similar quality, type or vintage. While this principle applies to other sports collectibles, game-worn jerseys are affected as much as any other by a connection to a meaningful time or place. Assuming everything else about the jersey is equal, if it was worn during a specific era, season or moment, the shirt’s appeal can be propelled to extraordinary heights if it connects to something special or desirable.
For example, use during periods of outstanding individual or even team achievement elevates the jersey from a historical or nostalgic perspective in the minds of many collectors. The same principle applies if the jersey is photo-matched to a specific game. The performance tied to the game, both good and bad, can impact value. Furthermore, when the moment itself is considered iconic, this specific connection can take a game-used jersey from a player who is perceived as something less than a GOAT and turn the collectible into a Grail.
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3. Temper Your Expectations – Matching Can Be, and Often Is, Difficult
As you go back in time, matching jerseys to images of players wearing them can be challenging. In fact, in many cases, it is virtually impossible. Knowing that, it is essential to remain realistic about the chances of doing so. The quality of images, or lack thereof, from past eras can make the photo-matching process a painstaking and often disappointing endeavor. Remember, just because a match can’t be made doesn’t mean there is any issue with the jersey’s authenticity. Photo-matching isn’t easy, but the “hard” is what makes it so impactful. It wouldn’t mean as much to the collecting community if every jersey were matched.
Of course, with modern-era jerseys, there are more opportunities to reach a conclusive match due to the advanced technology and sheer volume of images available. For some buyers, matching has become more of a requirement than a mere desire with jerseys worn during the last two decades, especially regarding iconic names and more expensive examples. Whether it is a vintage or modern jersey, remember that photo-matching is often additive, not a replacement for authentication altogether. That said, if you can find an ideal match for a jersey, it is better off than it was without one.
Like every other category within the sports collectibles hobby, the jersey market continues to improve. Thanks to the advent of photo-matching, participation is at an all-time high now that collectors have more confidence in what they are buying than ever before.
A match is a match.
JOE ORLANDO is Executive Vice President of Sports at Heritage Auctions. He can be reached at JoeO@HA.com or 214.409.1799.