Collectors and dealers in the realm of autographed cards have something to celebrate as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) join forces to offer a seamless submission process for authentication and grading. This groundbreaking partnership covers various types of cards, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards, providing a one-stop solution for enthusiasts.
Announced ahead of the National Sports Card Convention taking place from July 24-28, 2024, the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) shared the news that CGC Cards and JSA are now providing this integrated service starting July 15, 2024. This collaboration streamlines the process for collectors, allowing them to submit autographed cards for JSA authentication and CGC Cards grading and encapsulation in one swift process.
Building on the success of the CGC x JSA certification for comics introduced in May, this new service offering is a result of CCG’s acquisition of JSA earlier this year to expand its autograph authentication services. Future plans include extending this combined authentication and grading service to include items such as magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
Coinciding with the National Sports Card Convention, CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be available at the event. In addition to receiving submissions at the show and through mail, CGC Cards will also provide on-site services for immediate authentication, grading, and encapsulation, catering to the needs of collectors and dealers alike.
With the full launch of CGC Signature Series for cards on the horizon, in addition to the established witnessed signature authentication for comics, CGC and JSA are poised to offer autograph collectors a comprehensive suite of services. Founded in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., JSA is renowned as the premier autograph authentication service, leveraging a vast autograph database with nearly 1 million images.
Autographed cards certified by CGC and JSA will bear a distinctive CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, featuring both brand names and showcasing the “Authentic Autograph” designation in yellow. This label, utilizing the signature yellow historically associated with CGC to signify genuine autographs, also allows for autograph grading upon request, with the grade prominently displayed alongside the card’s grade and description.
Moreover, cards encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will include CGC Cards Grader Notes, offering detailed information about the signers. For premium cards, CGC Cards presents the elite gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, exclusively reserved for cards achieving a CGC Pristine 10 grade.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG, emphasized the value of this partnership, recognizing it as a monumental development in the industry. James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, expressed his delight in fulfilling a longstanding request from collectors by launching combined card services at The National event.
For those interested in submitting cards for CGC x JSA certification, detailed information can be found on the CGC Cards website. Submissions can be conveniently made through the online submission form, where collectors can select “JSA Autograph Authentication” after choosing their preferred grading tier. Pricing for JSA autograph authentication is tier-based, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applicable.
CGC and JSA are dedicated to offering collectors top-notch services, ensuring that every submission is handled with precision and expertise. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in the collectibles industry, promising to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts on a global scale.
