Collectors and dealers immersed in the exciting world of autographed cards have a reason to rejoice as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) have joined forces to provide a seamless experience for submitting these prized possessions for authentication and grading. This innovative partnership covers a wide range of cards from trading card games (TCGs) to sports and non-sports cards, making it a one-stop solution for enthusiasts.
The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) made the exciting announcement just ahead of the National Sports Card Convention scheduled from July 24-28. CGC Cards and JSA have officially launched this integrated service starting July 15, 2024, allowing collectors to easily submit autographed cards for JSA authentication and CGC Cards grading and encapsulation in one convenient process.
This collaboration marks a significant expansion following the successful introduction of CGC x JSA certification for comics back in May. With CCG being a prominent name in the collectibles grading arena, having certified close to 100 million items since its inception in 1987, the acquisition of JSA earlier this year has further fortified their autograph authentication offerings. The future roadmap includes extending these combined services to magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
What better occasion to launch this new offering than the National Sports Card Convention, one of the biggest events in the card collecting calendar? The CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be available at the event, providing collectors and dealers with the option for regular submissions at the show, through mail-in services, and comprehensive on-site facilities for instant authentication, grading, and encapsulation of cards.
Having pioneered witnessed signature authentication through the CGC Signature Series for comics back in 2001, CGC is now gearing up for the full-fledged launch of the CGC Signature Series for cards. This move aims to offer autograph collectors a comprehensive suite of services leveraging the combined expertise of CGC and JSA in the field.
James Spence, Jr. founded JSA in 2005, carving a reputation as the go-to autograph authentication service globally. With an extensive database housing nearly 1 million images, JSA utilizes a combination of this repository and cutting-edge technology to ensure precise authentication of autographs, bolstering collectors’ confidence in their prized possessions.
Autographed cards that receive certification from CGC and JSA will boast a unique CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label prominently features both brand names and emphasizes the “Authentic Autograph” designation in yellow, a color that has a historical association with CGC for indicating genuine signatures. Moreover, autograph grading can be requested for cards, with the grade being prominently displayed on the label alongside the card’s grade and description. To provide further insights, cards encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will come with CGC Cards Grader Notes, ensuring collectors have detailed information about the signers.
For top-tier cards meeting the highest standards, CGC Cards offers the prestigious gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, exclusively reserved for cards achieving a CGC Pristine 10 grade, signifying their exceptional quality and rarity.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, expressed the significance of this partnership, highlighting the exceptional combination of top-notch grading services from CCG with JSA’s expert autograph authentication services in 2024. James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, echoed this sentiment by expressing his delight in fulfilling collectors’ long-standing request for combined services at The National, marking a milestone in providing enhanced services to collectors worldwide.
To learn more about the submission process for CGC x JSA certification for cards, collectors can visit the CGC Cards website. The submissions can be conveniently made through the online submission form, where collectors can select “JSA Autograph Authentication” after choosing their preferred grading tier. The pricing for JSA autograph authentication is tier-based, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applicable as per the selected service.
With a commitment to delivering top-notch services and handling every submission with the utmost care and expertise, CGC and JSA are poised to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts worldwide. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the collectibles industry, promising a seamless and enhanced experience for autographed card collectors and dealers alike.
