Collectors of pro sports memorabilia want the top collectibles and they want to know they are authentic. Over the past two decades, the market for authentic sports memorabilia has become a billion dollar business. With the increase in popularity of sports other than baseball, basketball and football, sports fans are looking for pro sports memorabilia that is valuable both in price and sentiment.

Upper Deck has emerged from a baseball card company to a seller of some of the most highly sought after sports memorabilia in the world. Beginning in 1989 with baseball cards, the company’s innovation was evident. The cards were unlike traditional cards in that they had an anti-counterfeit marks on every card and foil wrapping. Later, the company ventured outside the traditional baseball card and produced hockey, basketball and football cards.

In 1992, the company ventured into autographed spots memorabilia in 1992, according to information on the company’s website, www.upperdeck.com. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at least 50 percent of items marketed as authentic sport memorabilia are actually fake. To assure buyers of authenticity, Upper Deck created a patented five-step process. An Upper Deck representative witnesses the signature of all the pro sports collectibles.

Upper Deck has signed some of the most popular sports players from all sports genres. The list includes Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Ken Griffey and Tony Gwynn. Golfer Annika Sorenstam was the first female athlete signed by the company. The company also features rare authentic sports memorabilia and electronic items including:

*Piece of History Bat Cards: These cards have actual pieces of a bat used by Babe Ruth. These debuted in 1998.
*In 1999, Upper Deck introduced a digital trading card. It featured video game footage, music and player photos, profiles and statistics.
* Upper Deck introduced a trading card with an online twin. The card can be created in front of the collector.

The company produces several special collector sets. One of the most popular is the Prospect Premieres Series. Each year, this card series features Major League Baseball’s top rookies. These sets are considered valuable collectibles and rookie cards of those who excel at the sport are high in demand.

While they have only been in business since 1989, Upper Deck has an Epic card series that highlights some of the best players in baseball history. The cards feature stars such as Reggie Jackson and Nolan Ryan as well as newer superstars such a Ken Griffey Jr. and Derek Jeter.

By making collectors of pro sports collectibles happy with new products each year and a selection of a variety of sports, Upper Deck’s collectibles will be valuable for many years to come.