FIREBRICK, Ky. - For John Carpenter, it was a sign of the good things he has done.

Carpenter has spent nearly three decades collecting sports memorabilia. His collection is recognized by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the largest privately owner memorabilia collection in the world.

The state of Kentucky is not only proud to have Carpenter and his collection, it is letting everyone know about it by putting up a sign to recognize the accomplishment.

Carpenter said some state representatives contacted him a couple of years ago and expressed an interest to erect a sign. He didn't hear any more about about the sign until this past June.

"All I know is they called one day and said they were putting up a sign," Carpenter said. "There was no ceremony, they just put it up. Ripley's thought it was great. This is a big honor for me."