2013-05-21T21:47:52-04:00 Elyse Luray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=elyse-luray Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Elyse Luray Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2550447 2013-01-25T15:50:54-05:00 2013-03-27T05:12:01-04:00

Elyse Luray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elyse-luray/
It is very clear, that baseball, our nation's national pastime, is beating football in this category for many reasons. These include longevity of the game and the fact that there is simply more available to the marketplace. Baseball also has a strong connection to our nation's history and there are many common threads including barnstorming, the world wars and the racial barriers. In addition, there is a very strong argument that the investment market for one of a kind rare baseball memorabilia has been extremely profitable for long-term collectors.

But what about football? With the Super Bowl approaching, on-line auctions and memorabilia sites are loading up on football items. Are they as collectible and does this market compare favorably to baseball?

Traditionally, football has not been as strong as a market compared to baseball and basketball. David Hunt, President of Hunt Auctions, the official partners with the NFL for game-used Super Bowl memorabilia, attributes this to a variety of factors. Again, Hunt feels the game has not been around as long as baseball. The marketing and advertising dollars directed towards collecting football memorabilia is not as prevalent. Hunt believes strongly that because fans do not repeatedly see many football players faces, due to their helmets, there is less recognition. This, plus the fact that for many years players did not have their names on the back of jerseys and there are more players to a team, decreases a player's marketability. In the past it was easier to sell a team jersey or pennant then a individual player.

Recently, contemporary game worn football memorabilia is exploding on the market. Auctions are realizing record prices for some of the best players. Last year at Hunt's NFL Super Bowl auction, a Tom Brady game worn jersey sold for over $50,000, more the doubling the presale estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. According to Hunt, a Derek Jeter game used jersey would sell for about $8000 today, emphasizing strong the potential for authenticated football items right now. He also believes there is a huge upside to buying vintage, as the market is just starting to gain strength. Grey Flannel auctions recently sold a Rookie year Joe Namath AFL NY Jets game used road Durene jersey for $18,840. Most appraisers, including me, believe although this is a strong price, that the jersey is still under valued and a great investment.

But how about Ray Lewis? Will he be the MVP to collect for this Super Bowl? My guess is yes. Sure, he has a checkered past, but he has certainly evolved into a philanthropic sports figure as well. People can argue both sides and time will tell, but I would invest in his game worn material. He has become one of the main marketing tools of this Super Bowl and is one of the best players in the NFL.

The 49ers' Colin Kaepernick is on a superstar trajectory all his own these days and if his career continues to escalate so will his collectability. At the moment, his value is still speculative, but so far it has been a great story and chances are he is a winner. I would bet on him.

So what does this all mean? The football market for one of a kind authentic memorabilia is finally about to blow wide open. Given current market trends, collecting now is almost a sure bet. If you are not so sure, just look at the current bid prices for this years Super Bowl XLVII @ www.huntauctions.com and see for yourself.

Go Ravens from this Baltimore born gal!]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2293789 2012-12-14T13:49:00-05:00 2013-02-13T05:12:01-05:00

Elyse Luray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elyse-luray/
You do not need to be an expert, wine aficionado or sommelier to enjoy this category. For the most part, it is a matter of your own personal taste. So I say, spend this holiday season testing wines that you and your friends like that are affordable and taste amazing. You will be so surprised as to what you discover!

I will confess that on this endeavor, I have discovered that there are a few wines that have become my go-to bottles in this category.

My favorite U.S. Wines for this holiday season, which should be easy to find, are:

• J Wine Pinot Gros, online for $13: This wine is crisp with a hint of margarita lime.
• Chateau Ste. Michelle, online for $8: It is smooth, light and refreshing.
• Pacific Rim Riesling, online for $14: the perfect Riesling
• Wyatt Cabernet Sauvignon, online for $10: This wine is smoky, spicy and has some fruit flavors
• Erath Pinot Noir, online for $15: It is light yet zesty and has great spice flavor.
• Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel, online for $12: a well-balanced Zin filled with flavors!

Once you picked your wine and you are looking to add to your gift, or if just want to give a present in the wine category, there are affordable items that can you can add. Below are my suggestions for this holiday season for gifts under $20

• A bottle of wine under $20, with a brief description about the wine.
• An original or antique corkscrew can be whimsical and you can have fun with this one, but remember a simple corkscrew does the job too!
• Contemporary-lever-style bottle opener
• A decanter
• A pair of wine glasses
• Wine coasters
• Wine charms
• An ice bucket to keep your wine cool
• A scrapbook to place labels of wine in that you drank and loved
• A copy of my book Great Wines Under $20

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2219624 2012-11-30T18:38:32-05:00 2013-01-30T05:12:01-05:00

Elyse Luray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elyse-luray/
So what's a wine lover like me on a budget to do? And when I say budget, my idea of a good affordable wine is to spend $20 or less. After all, wine is for drinking and there has to be a better way to break the bank.

With that idea, I set out to learn about good, drinkable wine in my budget. My approach was to study wine with the same approach I'd become accustomed to with my investigations as a History Detective on the PBS television show. After all, wine, like other objects, has history, culture, geographic influences, comparables in the market place and certainly a huge amount of literature, all of which to choose from. So I dove right in to my research and liked the topic so much I ended up writing a book, Great Wines Under $20 as way to share my love of wine and the good word that wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

There is much to say and I could go into great detail, but as the holiday season approaches, here are my quick tips about enjoying wine at affordable prices!

1. For White Wine: use a smaller, narrower glass, preferably a tulip shape.
   For Red Wine: use a wider, larger rimmed glass. If you use one, go with red wine glasses for both.


2. You do not need expensive crystal to enjoy your bottle and there are plenty of affordable options on the market, but whatever you do, please stay away from plastic.


3. There is nothing wrong with a screw cap! It tends to be more common on economical wines than those higher priced, but it doesn't mean the wine is "cheap." Even better -- it's easy to open and easy to save.


4. When drinking wine below $20, do not worry about the vintage. Most of these wines are meant for immediate consumption and are not produced to be stored in wine cellars for years.


5. While the old axiom of pairing white wine with fish and red wine with meat is not a rule written in stone, it does have some validity and makes for a good starting point if unsure what do buy with your meal.


6. You can not go wrong by pairing food and wine by region.


7. Cheaper red wine usually needs to breathe before it is served. Keep it in your glass for a while or pour it into a decanter. No, uncorking the bottle is not enough...


8. You do not need to spend a lot of money on a cork screw. The simple waiter style cork screw will do the job just as well and at a fraction of the cost.


9. At wine under $20, you do not need to be a sommelier to pick the wine. There should be no snobby opinions or written rules here -- it's a matter of personal taste.


10. Have fun! At these prices, you can play around, have wine tasting parties and just relax and enjoy without worrying about the price.

So, Cheers! Salute! L'Chaim! Kampai! Oogy wawa! A Votre Sante!]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2193244 2012-11-26T14:19:25-05:00 2013-01-26T05:12:01-05:00

Elyse Luray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elyse-luray/
For the last 25 years, I have been traveling this county to see peoples "obsessions." Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of walking into a collection and seeing what someone has amassed. But no matter how big or small the collection, I am always asked my opinion on collecting.

The first rule of thumb is to find something to collect that makes you happy. Once you start, you will enter a new universe, filled with history, literature, clubs, collecting shows, experts and obsessions. You will make new friends, learn about things you never knew existed and find yourself persistently chasing items.

Are there guidelines? I think so. Below are my 10 top suggestions to all collectors:

1. Condition is key. Items are always worth more and easier to sell if the condition is good.

2. If an item comes with original packing, keep it, even if you display it. Collectibles are always worth more with their boxes.

3. Display your collection. What is the point of collecting if you cannot enjoy it?

4. Beware of sunlight, humidity, moisture and heat. Each category of collecting reacts differently to certain elements. It is important to know what may affect the condition of your pieces.

5. Keep an inventory. It is important to know what you have, where it is stored and what you paid for it.

6. If the collection warrants it, get insurance. If you have spent your hard-earned money collecting, then you should have insurance in case of a disaster.

7. Learn the fair market value of your collectibles. You can do this by going online and seeing what comparable items are selling for. Not what they are asking for. This will help you understand the value.

8. Knowledge is power. Talk to other collectors, join clubs, go to shows, read and subscribe to auctions. You will be amazed by how collectors like to share their information.

9. Try to stay away from buying "limited editions," unless the run is under $300. I have found that the market is usually at half the value for large runs of limited editions.

10. Have fun! Collecting is a hobby that should put a smile on your face!]]>