If you are new to collecting celebrity or sports memorabilia it can be hard to know where to start.
Firstly you will need to decide what sort of memorabilia you are looking to collect and who you want to base your collection on.
If you a sports fanatic then you may have a favourite athlete, team or you may want to collect from a specific era or event.
If you are into your films then you may have a favourite Hollywood actor and a favourite film that you are obsessed with.
Whatever your area of interest it is important that you choose based on your own interests but also you should be sure to do a bit of research into the sorts of memorabilia that are available.
It is quite pointless to decide on an area of interest only to find out later that there is no memorabilia available.
You may also wish to keep your collection contained so that it is more specific and ultimately more valuable should you choose to sell.
After you have chosen your area of interest you next need to consider what sort of memorabilia you would like to collect.
If you are a massive baseball fan you may want to collect only signed baseballs or if films are your thing then you may want to collect only film posters from a specific era.
If you are interested in collecting signed photographs of your idol(s) then you should know that there are three main ways of obtaining them.
The first way that you can get signed photographs and celebrity autographs is by writing to the celebrity in question and asking them.
You should always hand write your letter and not type it as it gives it a personal quality and doesn't come across as something that you are sending out to lots of stars.
If your letter has the all-important touch then you are much more likely to succeed in getting a reply.
You should always address your letter to 'Mr' or 'Ms' as addressing them by their first name may be too informal.
You need to get across just why you want their signed photograph, how much of a big fan you are and some personal details of how much you admire them for a certain talent or how much you enjoyed them in a certain role.
Be specific as this will make your letter much more personal.
Try not to make your letter too long as this may put a celeb off reading it and make sure that you include a stamp addressed envelope so that they can reply with ease.
You can also buy autographs but the main thing to remember is to be careful as there are lots of fakes out there.
You should only buy signed photographs from reputable dealers to make sure that you are not ripped off.
There are lots of dealers out there and the best way to search for items is to use the internet and make sure that you shop around.
You may be able to find a bargain this way.
When purchasing you need to make sure that your item comes with a certificate of authenticity, if this is not offered to you then do not part with your money.
However, some fraudsters are able to fake these certificates so you really need to be on your toes.
You may find that internet auction rooms are very useful and reasonably priced.
If you are lucky enough to be in the position to get a signed photograph from your idol in person then it is essential that you remain calm and polite and don't take up too much of the person's time.
Remember they are not only there to see you but hundreds of others.
Attending conventions and book signings are good ways of meeting your idol in person.