Written Valuation Services
The Australian Memorabilia Association understands that many collectors would like to establish the value of their collectibles and unique items of memorabilia, particularly where there is a risk of damage, loss or theft. We provide professional written valuations for insurance, replacement and resale purposes.
Valuation Information
Where a valuation is conducted electronically, we require a clear JPG image of each item, no smaller than 400 x 400 pixels, together with as much detailed information as possible, including:
- Amount paid for the item, if known
- Signature(s) appearing on the item
- Limited edition number, if applicable (e.g. #451 of 1,000)
- Detailed description of the item
- Certificate of Authenticity (COA), including the name of the issuing organisation or individual
- Any other relevant documentation, provenance or supporting information
Professional Fees
Starting at $80+GST per item
The total valuation fee will be determined by the number of items, the complexity of the collection and the level of research required.
For larger collections or valuations requiring extensive research, a customised quotation will be provided and approved by the client prior to commencement.
Complex or High-Value Collections
Collections containing rare, historically significant or high-value memorabilia or those requiring extensive research, provenance investigation, historical research or specialist market analysis may require a more comprehensive valuation process.
In these circumstances, the valuation fee will be determined according to the scope and complexity of the assignment, the number of items involved and the research required. Any additional fees will be discussed and approved by the client before the work commences.
Large Collections
A customised quotation will be provided for collections involving a significant number of items or requiring extensive research.
Valuation fees may be negotiable for public institutions and private collectors with extensive collections.
Professional Experience
The Australian Memorabilia Association has been engaged to provide valuations for family law matters, insurance claims, fire and flood losses, and other purposes requiring independent valuation expertise. The AMA has also provided expert evidence and reports for court proceedings and dispute resolution matters.
How to Arrange a Valuation
If you are interested in obtaining a written valuation, please email details and photographs of the item(s) to be valued to:
Please include as much information and supporting documentation as possible to assist us in providing an accurate assessment and quotation.
Please Note
The Australian Memorabilia Association provides independent written valuations for a range of purposes, including insurance, replacement, resale, estate and family law matters. The purpose of the valuation is established with the client prior to commencement, and the valuation methodology and assessed value will reflect the intended purpose.
Mark Handel – Memorabilia & Collectibles Expert
Mark Handel, originally from Philadelphia, USA, began collecting baseball cards in 1968 laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for sports, memorabilia and collectibles. What began as a childhood interest developed into a career spanning more than five decades encompassing the collection, valuation, authentication and trading of a diverse range of collectible assets.
Over the course of his career, Mark has built extensive expertise across sports memorabilia, autographs and signatures, trading cards, model vehicles, vintage newspapers, print media, historical artefacts and other collectible items associated with sport, entertainment and popular culture.
Mark has owned and operated successful memorabilia businesses in both the United States and Australia and has established a reputation for professional, independent and knowledgeable advice within the collectibles industry.
In 1999, Mark developed a turnkey sports memorabilia operation through Wide World of Sports Memorabilia/Sports Online which rapidly became Australasia’s largest online retailer specialising in sports memorabilia. The business established major commercial partnerships with Channel Nine and News Limited and worked closely with leading sporting organisations and sporting codes throughout Australia to produce and distribute high-quality, licensed memorabilia.
As part of this operation, Mark coordinated and facilitated exclusive signing sessions with some of the world’s most iconic sporting figures, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Joe Frazier, as well as members of Australia’s 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cup-winning teams, together with numerous other internationally recognised sporting legends.
Valuation & Authentication Expertise
With more than 25 years of professional industry experience, Mark has valued thousands of individual items and collections on behalf of private collectors, dealers, estates, insurers and other organisations.
His valuation expertise encompasses a broad range of collectible categories, including:
- Sports memorabilia and autographs
- Trading cards and sports cards
- Model cars and other model vehicles
- Vintage newspapers, magazines and print media
- Historical and entertainment memorabilia
- Rare and high-value collectible assets
Mark also has specialised experience in handwriting and signature analysis, providing independent professional opinions regarding the authenticity of signatures. His assessments consider established handwriting examination principles, including signature structure, line quality, pen movement, rhythm, consistency, natural variation and other observable characteristics, together with available provenance and supporting documentation.
Expert Witness & Independent Reports
Mark has acted as an Expert Witness and has prepared formal valuation reports and independent expert opinions for legal proceedings, insurance matters and dispute resolution.
His experience includes matters involving the valuation of significant memorabilia collections, disputed values, authenticity of signatures and other issues requiring specialist knowledge of the memorabilia and collectibles market.
Following the sale of his business interests in 2012, Mark transitioned into providing independent valuation, authentication and advisory services to collectors, businesses, insurers and other clients throughout Australia and internationally.
Australian Memorabilia Association
Mark is currently Head of the Australian Memorabilia Association (AMA) where he provides leadership and specialist expertise across the memorabilia and collectibles industry.
Through the AMA, Mark continues to provide independent valuation, authentication, advisory and expert-witness services drawing on more than five decades as a collector and more than 25 years of professional experience within the memorabilia industry.
His combination of first-hand collecting experience, extensive commercial industry knowledge, specialist valuation expertise and involvement with some of the world’s most recognised sporting personalities provides a unique perspective when assessing the authenticity, provenance and market value of memorabilia and collectible assets.
