| Buying game-worn jerseys can be tricky but | | | | Scuff marks on hockey jerseys, typically black in |
| learning about what to look for to make sure | | | | color, come from the tape used on sticks. Some |
| what you're getting is authentic can also be a lot | | | | jerseys in all sports have blood or sweat stains. |
| of fun. | | | | Many organizations don't wash their game-used |
| It can involve some research, like hunting down | | | | jerseys to please collectors who want to see the |
| actual photos of games from the season the | | | | actual wear, tear and work that they sustained |
| jersey was worn to see if it matches. Sometimes | | | | while in game action. It's sometimes a smelly job, |
| you can even photo match to a specific game | | | | but there's no authentication like photo-matched |
| when the jersey was worn. Getty Images is one | | | | sweat! |
| excellent resource for photo matching a jersey | | | | Tagging is ultra important. If the seller is willing to |
| that is being sold as having been worn in a game. | | | | answer specific questions about whether the |
| Hunting down photos can involve some effort, but | | | | jersey has proper tagging on the inside, chances |
| it's also a kind of like an archaeological expedition. | | | | are he's already researched it. The tag contains |
| When and if you can actually match your jersey | | | | the manufacturer name and logo, sometimes the |
| to a photo, it's also a great piece of authentication | | | | year of issue and the size of the jersey. |
| you'll want to keep. | | | | Knowing the size jersey a player wears and his |
| The first major difference to be aware of is that | | | | preference, if any, for alterations, can be a big |
| 'game issued' doesn't mean game 'used'. A | | | | help when buying a jersey but players do change |
| game-issued jersey might look just like the one | | | | sizes as they get older. Players who are traded |
| Derek Jeter wore on the field, but it might have | | | | don't always get the right sized jersey when first |
| just sat in his locker or a storage locker | | | | arriving with their new club. |
| somewhere. When an item is described as 'game | | | | Patches have become common on many jerseys. |
| issued', figure it never saw action and bid | | | | Usually worn on the sleeve or shoulder, they |
| accordingly if you're interested at all. You'll often | | | | commemorate an anniversary or event and can |
| see "GI" next to a jersey description and that's | | | | be a good indicator of when the jerseys were |
| what it means. | | | | used. |
| Other abbreviations include: NNOB (no name on | | | | Having a team-issued letter of authenticity is a |
| back, often found on college jerseys or older | | | | great way to know you're buying a real, |
| jerseys. Generally that means there never was a | | | | game-worn jersey. It's not always possible, since |
| name or number on the back. NOBR means | | | | most teams didn't issue them until the |
| "name on back removed", meaning the jersey | | | | memorabilia market began heating up in the last |
| may have had a name at some point but it was | | | | few years. Having a player sign the jersey as |
| taken off and passed down to a player at the | | | | "game used" is also a great thing. |
| next level down the organizational chain. | | | | While the temptation might be to collect only |
| Some game worn jerseys have "game wear" | | | | superstar jerseys, if you're not willing to shell out |
| especially hockey jerseys and this is a great selling | | | | a few thousand dollars it's best to stick to lesser |
| point. You'll see rips and repairs, especially on older | | | | known players. In fact, it's a good way to get |
| jerseys. While newer jerseys sometimes also | | | | started collecting game-worn jerseys. You'll learn a |
| come with repair (again, especially hockey | | | | lot by owning a couple and be more prepared |
| jerseys), it's less common since jerseys are | | | | when the time comes to go after a Gretzky |
| changed so often. "Team repairs" are seen as a | | | | gamer. |
| positive. | | | | |