Kovels, one of iTaggit's affiliates, has release a a new report with tips and tricks to protect your collectibles during a disaster. See their ad listed below:

Looking for that unexpected Father’s Day gift? Sure, most guy’s would love to add a Mickey Mantel autographed baseball or a pair of Muhammad Ali signed boxing gloves to their collection. But the truth is these items aren’t always affordable for the average sports fan. So here is a list of some of the hottest sports memorabilia items for 2008 that are relatively affordable and destined to increase in value.

10. Chicago Cubs Memorabilia

This one is based strictly on potential. It has been 100 years since the Cubs last won a World Series. The Cubs currently have the best record in June for the first time since 1908, coincidently the last time they won the World Series. If the Cubs are able to break the curse this season, memorabilia for 2008 will definitely be a hot commodity.

9. Sidney Crosby Signed Hockey Puck

Crosby is already being compared to hockey greats Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. He is the youngest player to record 100 points in a season, 200 career points, win the Art Ross Trophy, and the Lester B. Pearson trophy. Crosby is on pace to become an all time NHL great, so his memorabilia is destined to grow in value.

8. Adrian Peterson Autographed Football

As a rookie, Peterson set the rookie record for most 200 yard games (2), most rushing yard in his first eight games (1,036), and most yards rushing in a single game (296). He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the MVP of the 2008 Pro Bowl. Peterson is on record for stating that his goal is to rush for 2,000 yards in this upcoming season. Running backs can have short careers in the NFL, but Peterson is worth the risk.

7. Shaquille O’Neil Game Worn Jersey

Shaq is arguably the most dominant center in the NBA. Over his career he has lead his teams to 4 NBA championships with 3 straight finals MVP's. Although he is on the decline these days, he will always be considered an all time great. After he retires, his memorabilia will steadily increase, as long as it’s not his movie memorabilia.

6. Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card

Ken Griffey Jr. was projected to one day break Hank Aaron’s home run record. In 1998, he became the youngest player to ever reach 350 home runs. But injuries have really slowed Junior down. Today, Junior has compiled 10 Gold Gloves (1990-99) and currently is 6^th all time with 599 HR’s. He is a future Hall of Famer and a fan favorite.

5. Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Gear

The Detroit Red Wings just won their American leading 11^th Stanley Cup. Behind the efforts of Henrik Zetterberg (Conn Smythe Trophy winner) and goalie Chris Osgood, the Red Wings were the best team throughout the regular season and the playoffs. This is a storied franchise and their memorabilia will always be very valuable.

4. Brett Favre Autographed Ball

Favre played the game with as much passion as any player on the field. His career numbers represent the risks he took and the fire he played with. It is for these reasons that Favre has always been a fan favorite. His memorabilia will always be a commodity and in 5 years when he is elected to the Hall of Fame, its value will soar.

3. LeBron James Autographed Jersey

LeBron James is already considered one of the best players in the NBA. In his first four seasons, James has already accomplished winning a Rookie of the Year award, 4 NBA All-Star appearances, won a scoring title, and led his team to the NBA Finals. If James continues to progress, he will go down as an all time great.

2. Kobe Bryant Game Used Jersey

Bryant is one of few NBA stars who have frequently been compared to Michael Jordan. But Bryant is the only star who has lived up to the hype, and he has the credentials to prove it. He won his first league MVP this season and already has 3 rings. Even if the Lakers do not win the championship this year, they will be a title contender for the next few years.

1. Tiger Woods Memorabilia

Tiger Woods will arguably be remembered as the greatest golfer ever. He is the youngest player to 50 wins, has 64 PGA tour wins (tied for 3^rd all-time) and 13 Major Championships (2^nd all-time). It is only a matter of time before he becomes the all time leader in each of those categories. Tiger could go down in history as one of the greatest athletes of all time, which will make is memorabilia very valuable one day.

Susan Cramer has been a fan of antiques and collectibles since she was a little girl. She holds a degree in interior design, with additional courses in writing. She has run estates sales, tag sales and booths at antique shows and considers sifting through dusty boxes in estate sale basements as one of the highest forms of recreation. As a writer her work can be found on Suite101.com  and Antique Week. Susan collects many types of antiques including; buttons, blue pottery, art deco chromeware, statue of liberty memorabilia, and books.  She also collects World's Fair memorabilia because the single brightest memory of her entire childhood is from when her adored Uncle took her and her brothers to the NY world's fair in 1964.

 Susan is now iTaggit's first antique expert. Susan has been busy blogging on iTaggit this week. Her blogs focus primarily on specific items. For Susan, "the most interesting aspect of any antique is the back-story; the memories of the part that a particular item played in the life of its owner. Without this sort of connection, what we're talking about is simply "stuff".  That is not to say that a collector has deep feelings for every item she has, but it's usually where a collection starts." 

You can read Susan's first blogs below:

Mc Coy Cookie Jars

Chrome by Chase-Art Deco for the Home

Coca-Cola Collectible Trays

Fire King for the Kitchen

To follow her blogs view the Antiques Blog Directory or you can find them listed on her iTaggit profile.

    Did you know that iTaggit offers the selling and trading of items for free?  Here at iTaggit, we believe that you should be able to showcase you item, find its value using our eBay and research tools, and monetize it by selling on eBay, or by placing it in our Items For Sale or Trade collection... all for FREE!!

    Adding your item to the Items For Sale or Trade collection is very simple, and only takes seconds of your time.  First, find the item you would like to sell or trade and click on it, taking you to the item view screen.  Next, click on the Item Actions button, located just above the pictures.  This will activate a drop-down menu with a large selection of options from which to choose (shown in the picture on the right).  Select Trade This Item, and a "Trade Information" template will appear.  Simply fill out the information, including the date the item will be available until, what types of items you are willing to trade for or if you prefer to use currency (sell), the minimum you will sell it for, your location and where you are willing to ship the item.  

    Once you have completed the information, simply click the orange Done button, and your item is automatically placed in the Items For Sale or Trade collection gallery.  From here, users can message you for more information or to make an offer, and you can decide your next move!  The picture to the right is a snapshot of the Item View screen, complete with the drop-down menu and Trade Information template.  You can view this item (and make an offer, if you would like) by clicking the link, or by visiting the Items For Sale or Trade collection gallery.

    If you have any questions about buying, selling, or trading, please take a look at the FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions), the Trading Terms and Conditions, send me a message, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog.

    I know many of you are looking to monetize your collections, just as many others want to add to theirs.  Using iTaggit to buy, sell, and trade your items makes it easy to do all of these, and the best part is that it is 100% FREE!!

 

Happy Hunting!

 

-Chris

  

The Classic Appraisal will provide the Current Fair Market Value and the Replacement Value of your item, along with some limited comments from the appraiser. The Classic Appraisal is still the best deal on the net for over 7 years at only $9.95.

Find out the value of your item from trusted professionals! To meet some of WIW2U’s experts click here. With experts in virtually every category, you will get a fast and accurate item valuation.

The appraisal process is quick and fun and follows 5 easy steps:

1. Upload your item into your iTaggit account and select the valuation button in the item view. This will open up your item's valuation manager and give you 3 options for finding the value of your item and a chart that records the changes in value. From the valuation manager select the appraise button.
2. Choose the category that best suits your item.
   This important step will determine who will appraise your item. Your iTaggit item record and pictures will be exported to WIW2U.
3. Answer more specific questions.
   Now you will be asked a few more questions specific to your item. These questions will help the appraiser determine exactly what your item is.
4. Review the Appraisal.
   At this point in time all of the information that you input will be presented to you for your review. You may add, edit or delete as appropriate.
5. Proceed to Secure Payment Page.
   You will be presented options for payment. WIW2U accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and PayPal. You may also send payment to WIW2U’s office or call in your payment details.
   

What do I do after I submit my item?
You can view the status of your appraisal by viewing your item on iTaggit and clicking on ‘View Status’ in the yellow bar under the item’s name.

If the appraiser requires more information, you will be sent an email requesting you to go to the website and provide additional details.

Once your appraisal has been completed, you will be notified by email and can then login to the website and view the details on the appraisal certificate. You can copy your appraisal into the notes section of your item record or upload a copy into the documents section of your item record. If you require a more in-depth appraisal please choose the Deluxe Appraisal.

Not an iTaggit member? Register today.

                            iTaggit can help you improve your auction and classified listings so that you can reach more potential buyers.

Why Should I Use iTaggit?

 
Why shouldn’t you use iTaggit? iTaggit’s comprehensive item data fields and rank in search engines can help increase your item’s visibility and your sales.

·         iTaggit provides a 'back-end' for your listing with the ability to host multiple images, video, documents, links, and other information.

·         iTaggit’s items contain richer data, which improves buyer confidence and can drive higher realized prices.

·         Post your items once to iTaggit and use the publishing tool to post them to multiple places. Since you only enter your data once the publishing feature saves you time while simultaneously broadening your customer reach.

·         Items on iTaggit are regularly indexed by the search engines increasing the likelihood that buyers will find your item.

 
How Do I Use iTaggit?

 
The various publishing options make it easy for you to use iTaggit to improve your auction and classified listings.

  Include as much data as possible in the item’s record. 

·         You can post your item to sites a variety of ways:

o        Post your item on eBay by clicking the Sell on eBay button and following the instructions.

o        Post your item on sites that take html by selecting Publish this Item from Item Options.

o        Post your item on sites that don't allow html by copying the URL from the iTaggit link bar and pasting it into the description field on the classified site.