Collectors and dealers immersed in the world of autographed cards have an exciting reason to rejoice with the recent unveiling of a groundbreaking partnership between CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®). This collaborative venture sets a new standard in the authentication and grading process for autographed cards, catering to a wide range of collectors, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards.
Just in time for the National Sports Card Convention happening from July 24-28, the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) made a grand announcement that CGC Cards and JSA have officially launched their integrated service starting July 15, 2024. This strategic alliance allows collectors to smoothly submit autographed cards for JSA authentication and CGC Cards grading and encapsulation in a hassle-free and streamlined process.
Following the successful introduction of CGC x JSA certification for comics back in May, CCG, a prominent collectibles grading service with almost 100 million items certified since 1987, took over JSA earlier this year to broaden its autograph authentication offerings. The future roadmap includes extending combined authentication and grading services to cover magazines, pulps, and concert posters.
Enthusiasts gearing up for the significant card collecting event of the year, The National, will have access to CGC x JSA certification services for cards. Apart from receiving submissions at the event and through mail, CGC Cards will provide comprehensive on-site services, granting collectors and dealers the unique opportunity to have their cards authenticated, graded, and encapsulated on the spot.
CGC has been a pioneer in witnessed signature authentication, having established the CGC Signature Series for comics back in 2001. The imminent launch of the CGC Signature Series for cards is set to expand the horizon of services for autograph collectors, harnessing the collective expertise of CGC and JSA to elevate the authentication process.
With its inception in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., JSA has secured its reputation as the foremost autograph authentication service globally. Leveraging the world’s largest autograph database, boasting nearly 1 million images, JSA utilizes cutting-edge technology alongside its extensive resource to guarantee precise authentication of autographs.
Autographed cards certified by CGC and JSA will bear a distinctive CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label prominently features both brand names and emphasizes the “Authentic Autograph” designation in eye-catching yellow, a color traditionally associated with CGC to denote genuine signatures. Upon request, cards can also undergo autograph grading, with the grade prominently displayed on the label alongside the card’s grade and description. Further enhancing the authenticity, cards encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label will incorporate CGC Cards Grader Notes, furnishing collectors with detailed signer information.
For premium-grade cards, CGC Cards presents the prestigious gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, reserved exclusively for cards that achieve a CGC Pristine 10 grade.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, the CEO of CCG, emphasized the significance of this collaboration by stating, “2024 has been a monumental year for CCG, with the pinnacle being the amalgamation of our top-tier grading services with the expert autograph authentication services of JSA.” James J. Spence, Jr., the President of JSA, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Launching combined services for cards at The National brings immense satisfaction. This is a request collectors have had since the inception of JSA almost two decades ago, and I am thrilled to make it a reality today.”
Collectors seeking more information on submitting cards for CGC x JSA certification can visit the CGC Cards website. Submissions can be conveniently made via the CGC Cards online submission form, where collectors can opt for “JSA Autograph Authentication” after selecting their preferred grading tier. The pricing for JSA autograph authentication is determined by the chosen grading tier, with additional CGC Cards grading fees applied accordingly.
CGC and JSA remain steadfast in their commitment to providing collectors with top-notch services, guaranteeing that each submission is handled with precision and expertise. This innovative offering signifies a significant leap forward in the collectibles industry, promising to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts across the globe.
