Collectors and dealers in the world of autographed cards have a reason to rejoice with the latest collaboration between CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®). The seamless experience of submitting autographed cards for authentication and grading has just become a reality, thanks to this new partnership.
Covering a wide range of cards from trading card games (TCGs) to sports and non-sports collectibles, CGC Cards and JSA have launched an integrated service as of July 15, 2024. This exciting news comes just in time for the upcoming National Sports Card Convention scheduled from July 24-28. The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) took the opportunity to announce this combined offering, further expanding its services in the collectibles industry.
Following the successful introduction of CGC x JSA certification for comics in May, this partnership signifies a strategic move by CCG to provide a comprehensive solution for autograph authentication in various collectibles categories. With nearly 100 million items certified since its establishment in 1987, CCG acquired JSA earlier this year to enhance its autograph authentication services. The future roadmap includes extending combined authentication and grading services to magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
Enthusiasts gearing up for the National Sports Card Convention can now enjoy the convenience of availing CGC x JSA certification services for cards at the event. Apart from accepting submissions both in-person and via mail, CGC Cards will offer on-site services, allowing collectors and dealers to have their cards authenticated, graded, and encapsulated right at the venue.
Having pioneered witnessed signature authentication through its CGC Signature Series for comics back in 2001, CGC is now set to extend its expertise to the realm of cards with the full-fledged launch of CGC Signature Series. This initiative aims to cater to autograph collectors by combining the proficiency of CGC and JSA.
Established in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., JSA has been a leading authority in autograph authentication services, boasting the world’s largest autograph database with nearly 1 million images. Leveraging this extensive database and cutting-edge technology, JSA ensures precise and reliable authentication for autographed items.
Autographed cards authenticated by CGC and JSA will bear a distinctive CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, featuring both brand names and highlighting the “Authentic Autograph” attribute in yellow, a color traditionally used by CGC for genuine signatures. Moreover, card owners can opt for autograph grading, with the assigned grade prominently displayed on the label alongside the card’s overall grade and description. Each card encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will also contain CGC Cards Grader Notes, offering detailed insights about the signers.
For premium cards, CGC Cards provides the exclusive gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, reserved for cards achieving a CGC Pristine 10 grade, signifying the highest level of quality.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, emphasized the significance of this partnership, recognizing it as a pivotal moment in the industry’s landscape. James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, echoed this sentiment, expressing delight in fulfilling collectors’ longstanding demand for combined authentication and grading services.
For detailed instructions on submitting cards for CGC x JSA certification, collectors can visit the CGC Cards website and utilize the online submission form. Submissions involve selecting “JSA Autograph Authentication” within the chosen grading tier, with pricing for JSA authentication based on the selected tier alongside additional CGC Cards grading fees.
CGC and JSA remain dedicated to delivering top-tier services to collectors, ensuring meticulous handling of every submission with unparalleled expertise. This collaboration marks a significant leap in the collectibles industry, promising an enhanced collecting experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
