Thursday, November 21, 2013

Chicago Bears Vintage Memorabilia

Chicago Bears Vintage Memorabilia isn't exactly an accurate title. The actual items for sale aren't vintage but the players sure are. Todays lineup features some of the greatest players of all time; Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, Brian Urlacher and Mike Singletary.

The Bears are pretty good this year, not as good as last year, but still pretty good. Looking at the historical stats, its clear that the Bears are pretty good every season, whether the win-loss records reflect it or not. Thats because their rosters have always been full of larger than life characters, guys who brought a high level of energy and intensity to both their professional and personal lives. C'mon, what fan doesn't love a super competitive football player?

Typically, this where I would start yakking about the crazy careers of these players. Not today. These players are so iconic that if you want to know more about them, go find a football fan who's over 50. Better yet, I would suggest you buy one of these and give it to a football fan who's over 50.


Gale Sayers Autographed 8x10 Pic
Gale Sayers Autographed 8x10 Photo

Chicago Bears Autographed Monsters of the Midway Helmet
Dick Butkus, Brian Urlacher, Mike Singletary Autographed Monsters of Midway Helmet
Chicago Bears Mike Ditka Jim McMahon Signed Chicago Bears Logo Football
Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon Autographed Chicago Bears Logo Football





Monday, November 18, 2013

Chicago Bulls Think 2014 Will Be Their Year

Here at the beginning of the 2013-2014 basketball season, most b-ball experts are saying there will be only 5 teams with the talent to challenge the reigning champs, the Miami Heat. At that top of that very short list is the Chicago Bulls. Sports dude Brett Pollakoff wrote a nice piece about the contenders at ProBasketBallTalk and he thinks it will probably be the Pacers or the Bulls at the end. Looking at the rosters of each team I have to go with the Bulls. The Bulls were pretty good last year without Derrick Rose. Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah are awesome in their own right and they're all coming into this season healthy and focused. Bad news for the Eastern Conference.

My pick for best Chicago Bulls Autographed Memorabilia is this basketball signed by the big four:

Chicago Bulls Signed Basketball
Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah Signed Basketball

You can't buy a cool autographed basketball without buying the coolest display case ever made. Real wood, real glass, mirrored, free engraving and ridiculously inexpensive for what you get:
Basketball Glass Display Case
Basketball Glass and Wood Display Case

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Jimmy Buffett Parrothead gift ideas

Born James William Buffett on Christmas Day 1946, Pascagoula's favorite son has had himself one heck of a successful career as a singer-songwriter, actor, author, and business man. He's amassed a fortune estimated at $400 million from his hard work and he's returned a lot of it to local communities through a number of highly visible charities. As successful as he's been, he's still best known as just "Jimmy" to his legion of fans, the Parrotheads.

If you've got a Parrothead in your life (and really, who doesn't?) then you might be looking for something totally unique, perhaps even something hand signed. If thats the case we might have just what you're looking for. A Jimmy Buffett autographed photo is always great. If you're a little more adventurous you might even go for the Jimmy Buffett autographed microphone:


Jimmy Buffett Hand Signed Autographed Photo
Jimmy Buffett Hand Signed Autographed Photo

Jimmy Buffett Hand Signed Autographed Microphone
Jimmy Buffett Hand Signed Autographed Microphone






Green Bay Packer Gift Ideas

The Green Bay Packers have one of the most storied histories in all of sports. Founded in 1919 by Earl Lambeau, the packers have won everything in sight including 13 league championships and 4 Super Bowls. Not bad for the smallest 'local' market in the league.

Green Bay Packers autographed memorabilia are often the most sought after items in our store, especially the Packers team signed helmets and balls. We love the team signed football memorabilia because its just so darn dramatic when displayed in a beautiful wood and glass case. If you're looking for 'wow' factor gifts, theses are the real deal.

Green Bay Packers 2013 Team Signed Football
Green Bay Packers 2013 Team Autographed Logo Football

Team Signed Green Bay Packers Helmet
Green Bay Packers Team Autographed 2013 Pro Line Helmet


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Is Lionel Messi Almost Finished?

Many American sports fans have probably heard the name Lionel Messi but I'm guessing most would guess he's a tennis player. Yes, he's another handsome athlete from Argentina, which is famous for handsome tennis stars, but Leo Messi is one of the worlds highest paid soccer players. Playing forward for FC Madrid, arguably the best soccer team on the planet, Leo Messi has been nominated or won practically every award offered since he burst onto the scene eight years ago. At only 26, the measure of his greatness is revealed by the fact that there are only two opinions of him - you either love him or hate him. Nobody just likes him.

Leo Messi, like all great athletes, drives himself relentlessly. And, as with all great athletes, he sometimes pays the price with injuries. Yesterday Leo limped off the field with a hamstring injury after only 20 minutes of playing time and its estimated that his recovery time will be 8 weeks. This is the latest in a long string of muscle and hamstring issues that have struck the star down, each one taking him off the pitch for extended periods. 

As great as this guy is, I'm now wondering if this is where the inevitable decline begins. We all know how this works, he'll probably continue to play for years with nagging injuries and continue to have flashes of brilliance. He'll probably become the veteran who spurs his younger teammates to win games beyond their skill levels. I hope I'm wrong. No matter what happens, he'll surely be one of those players that everyone will be talking about for the next 50 years. Viva Leo!

Today's autographed sports memorabilia item of the day is a beautiful 16x20 autographed photo of the man himself, Lionel Andres Messi:

Lionel Messi Autographed Photo
Lionel Leo Messi Autographed 16x20 Photo




Monday, November 11, 2013

What Teams Have Not Won the Super Bowl - Wow

So you think you're unhappy about the NFL team you follow? You're in good company. Plenty of people have never felt the thrill of the big win. I don't think about it often but when reminded, I'm always surprised by the number of really good teams that have never won the big game. And, as we all know, its all about the ring.

Buzzfeed.com recently ran a story about the teams that have not won the Super Bowl (and the four that have never been) and its full of little factoids you can use on your friends to win a free beer:

10 NFL Teams You Probably Didn’t Know Haven’t Won A Super Bowl

As I read the article I saw two teams who might actually make their way off this list, The Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers. Yep, I said it. They're not dominant teams by any stretch of the imagination but they do possess two things that no other team does - Russell Wilson and Cam Newton. In a season dictated by key injuries, these two look young and strong and hungry.

In honor of these two winners, and my pick for the best mid-season sports memorabilia buy, I give you Russell and Cam:

Russell Wilson Autographed Helmet
Russell Wilson Autographed Seattle Seahawks Proline Helmet

Cam Newton Autographed Football
Cam Newton Autographed Game Model NFL Football





Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Oldest and Fattest Teams in the NBA

I was cruising through the morning sports news when I spotted this great article on Deadspin.com: 
The first thing I noticed was the correlation between age and success. The oldest team listed is the Miami Heat, generally accepted as the best in the league, with the youngest team listed being the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ha, no comment. 

The "fattest" team (more specifically, the team with the highest BMI - this is comedy after all) is the Philadelphia 76ers. Tied with the Cavs for youngest team, its hard to know if the 76ers are young and fat or just young and big. Whatever they are this is probably not going to be their year, the Vegas oddsmakers have already voted and Philly is a 300-1 longshot.

In honor of the Oldest and Fattest, here are my product picks of the day; an Official Old Guy Dwayne Wade autographed photo and an Official Non-Fat Former Philadelphia 76er Julius Erving autographed basketball.
Dwayne Wade Autographed 16x20 Photo
Autographed Dwyane Wade 16x20 Photo

 
Julius Erving Autographed Basketball
Autographed Julius Erving NBA Basketball

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Autographed Tom Brady & Andrew Luck Photo

Sports Memorabilia can sometimes be the most personal item a person buys. Whether as a gift or for a collection, every item is attached to some emotional moment in time. I was on the phone with an older gentleman the other day chatting about autographed sports memorabilia in general and autographed baseballs in particular. He was interested in buying a signed ball to give to the son of one of his best friends as a way of showing his appreciation for the respect this kid had always given him. It sounded to me like it was going to be a reward for being a good citizen. The more I thought about this the more I liked it. My guess is that kid will keep that ball for a long time with a fond remembrance of his father's friend and the reason the gift was given.

With this in mind I started looking for some item that represents that spirit of good citizenship. I wasn't really interested in "role model" stuff, just some athlete who quietly does his own thing in his own community. Well, I came up with two, the teacher and the student, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck. Both of these guys support local charities and put in the time. Quietly. Good citizen stuff. So if you're ever in the mood to surprise a young person with a keepsake, think about something that supports a higher ideal.

Autographed Tom Brady & Andrew Luck Photo
Andrew Luck & Tom Brady Autographed 8x10 Photo



Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Autographed New York Giants Logo Football

Ok, let's all agree that the 2013 version of the New York Giants isn't very good. Let's also agree that the Giants have been one of the best teams during the past 13 years. Not necessarily great, but really good and really entertaining.  With trips to the playoffs in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011, the Giants have been generally feared by opposing teams for a very long time, mostly because of three marquis players - Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs and lately, Victor Cruz. 

Not much to say about Eli Manning except that the guy somehow wins. I don't get it but his record speaks for itself. How about Brandon Jacobs? He's one of those great football stories that old guys will be talking about in 30 years, "Oh yeah, I was there in 2009 when The Creator ran through the Cardinals like butter." From 2005 to 2011 Brandon Jacobs played great football, mostly injured, which is why New Yorkers will always have a soft spot for the guy. And then there's Victor Cruz. Another great story. After an unremarkable college football experience at UMass, he doesn't get drafted but somehow gets signed by the Giants in 2010. The next thing you know, the guy is catching footballs all over the place during a Monday night preseason game against the Jets. Gets a ton of yards and scores three touchdowns, and ends up making the team. His exploits during the 2011 Super Bowl run are now legendary with killer games against the Cowboys, 49ers and Pats. 

Its in honor of these three greats that we offer this cool Giants logo football:

Autographed New York Giants Logo Football
New York Giants Logo Football Signed by Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs & Victor Cruz


Signed New York Giants Logo Football with Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs & Victor Cruz

Autographed New York Giants Logo Football

Monday, November 4, 2013

Why I Like Football Mini Helmets Now

I didn't always like football mini helmets. I just didn't see the point. I figured that if you were going to bother with getting a helmet signed it oughta be full sized, something you can see! But then I discovered something that changed my mind forever - the most perfect mini helmet display case ever made. Real wood, real glass, real class.

Now I'm loving these tiny little helmets. They fit on shelves, they look great on the corner of a desk, they even look good sitting next to their larger cousins. Three types of wood are available for the base and engraving on the glass is available at no extra charge. And my favorite feature of all - they're cheap! $62! Three new mini's have just come in that would look awesome wrapped in this glass. See below

Football Mini Helmet Display Case
Football Mini Helmet Display Case
Autographed NFL Crest Mini Helmet
NFL Crest Mini Helmet Signed by Reggie Bush, Vince Young, LenDale White & Matt Leinart.

Autographed Texas Longhorns Mini Helmet
Autographed Texas Longhorns Mini Helmet Signed by Earl Campbell, Priest Holmes and Vince Young.

Autographed Green Bay Packers Mini Helmet
Autographed Green Bay Packers Mini Helmet Signed by Bart Starr, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Bruno Mars Autographed Microphone

Peter Gene Hernandez, aka Bruno Mars, is one of our favorite music artists. Born into a musical family in Hawaii, Bruno performed locally in Honolulu before moving to Los Angeles after high school. As a producer, writer and backup vocalist, Bruno became known around LA for his style an energy. Bruno's career exploded in 2010 after the release of his first solo album Doo-Wops & Hooligans with the hit singles Grenade and Just the Way You Are. Since that first album Bruno has stormed the music world racking up hit after hit and electrifying audiences with his high octane performances.

We caught up with Bruno during the weekend of June 29, 2013 (as everyone was rehearsing for the BET Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles) and he was kind enough to sign a few items including this cool black microphone:

Bruno Mars Autographed Microphone
Bruno Mars Autographed Microphone

Friday, November 1, 2013

One Direction Autographed 8x10 Photo

Who would have ever guessed that an English-Irish pop boy band based in London would become the worlds hottest musical commodity? Not me. As every one now knows, One Direction is a fabricated group, glued together during the competition stage of the hit UK show The X-Factor. The boys came in as soloists and left as a band. Its a great story of being in the right place at the right time with just enough talent to make it work. The rest, of course, is history.

10 million albums, 19 million singles, and an endless string of sold out concerts have placed One Direction squarely into the frontal lobes of teen age girls and young-at-heart women across this planet. You would think that autographed One Direction memorabilia would flood the market but surprisingly, this hasn't been the case. The combination of constant worldwide touring and English recording sessions has limited access to the band and their signatures to those of us here in the US. However, once in a while we do come across a couple of items that we find interesting. Today's little gift from 1D are a couple of 8x10 photos signed by Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson.

One Direction 8x10 Autographed Photo
One Direction 8x10 Autographed Photo

One Direction 8x10 Autographed Photo
One Direction 8x10 Autographed Photo