Collectors and dealers immersed in the realm of autographed cards have a reason to rejoice as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) join hands to provide a seamless experience for authenticating and grading autographed cards. This innovative partnership extends its services to trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards, encapsulating a wide range of collections within its umbrella.
In a strategic move ahead of the National Sports Card Convention scheduled from July 24-28, the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) unveiled its collaboration with CGC Cards and JSA, officially commencing operations on July 15, 2024. This partnership allows collectors to submit their autographed cards for JSA authentication and CGC Cards grading and encapsulation through a streamlined and efficient process.
Building on the success of the CGC x JSA certification for comics introduced in May, CCG, a prominent leader in collectibles grading services with a certification track record dating back to 1987, acquired JSA earlier this year, amplifying its portfolio of autograph authentication offerings. The future holds promise as the alliance plans to extend its combined authentication and grading services to encompass magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
Timed perfectly for the grandest card collecting event of the year, CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be accessible at The National. Beyond conventional submission methods at the event and by mail, CGC Cards is set to offer comprehensive on-site services, enabling collectors and dealers to have their cards swiftly authenticated, graded, and encapsulated right on the spot.
Having pioneered witnessed signature authentication through its CGC Signature Series dedicated to comics back in 2001, CGC is now gearing up for the impending launch of CGC Signature Series tailored for cards. This venture promises to furnish autograph collectors with a holistic suite of services, leveraging the collective expertise of CGC and JSA in the authentication realm.
Established by James Spence, Jr. in 2005, JSA stands tall as the premier autograph authentication service globally. Backed by a massive autograph database boasting nearly 1 million images, JSA leverages cutting-edge technology alongside this extensive repository to ensure precise and accurate authentication services for collectors worldwide.
Autographed cards that have received certification from CGC and JSA will feature a unique CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label proudly presents both brand names and prominently showcases the “Authentic Autograph” designation in a vibrant yellow hue, historically associated with CGC to denote genuine signatures. Upon request, cards can also undergo autograph grading, with the resulting grade prominently displayed on the label alongside the card’s grade and description. Additionally, cards encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will come equipped with CGC Cards Grader Notes, offering insightful details about the signatories.
For premium-grade cards, CGC Cards presents the opulent gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, a prestigious marker reserved exclusively for cards that achieve a CGC Pristine 10 grade, reflecting their impeccable quality.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, the CEO of CCG, emphasized the significance of this partnership, emphasizing, “2024 has been a monumental year for CCG, with the highlight being the fusion of our top-tier grading services with JSA’s expert autograph authentication services.” James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Launching combined services for cards at The National is a thrilling milestone. This is a demand collectors have been voicing since the inception of JSA nearly two decades ago, and I am thrilled to see it come to fruition today.”
For detailed guidelines on submitting cards for CGC x JSA certification, collectors are directed to the CGC Cards website. Submissions can be conveniently made via the CGC Cards online submission form, where enthusiasts can select “JSA Autograph Authentication” following their chosen grading tier. The pricing for JSA autograph authentication varies based on the selected grading tier, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applicable as per the chosen service level.
CGC and JSA remain steadfast in their commitment to delivering exceptional services to collectors, ensuring each submission is handled with precision and expertise. This new collaborative offering ushers in a significant milestone in the collectibles industry, promising to elevate the collecting experience for aficionados worldwide.
