Autographed card collectors and dealers are in for a treat as CGC Cards™ and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®) have joined forces to create a seamless experience for submitting autographed cards. This new partnership covers a wide array of cards, including trading card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non-sports cards.
The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) made the exciting announcement ahead of the National Sports Card Convention, revealing that CGC Cards and JSA have officially launched their integrated service as of 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 all in one go.
Building on the success of their CGC x JSA certification for comics launched in May, CCG acquired JSA earlier in the year to expand its autograph authentication offerings. This collaboration is just the beginning, with plans to introduce combined authentication and grading services for magazines, pulps, and concert posters in the future.
Coinciding with the National Sports Card Convention, CGC x JSA certification services for cards will be available at the event. Collectors and dealers can submit their cards for authentication, grading, and encapsulation either at the show or through the mail. Additionally, CGC Cards will offer comprehensive on-site services, allowing for immediate processing of submissions.
Having pioneered witnessed signature authentication with its CGC Signature Series for comics back in 2001, CGC is now gearing up for the full launch of the CGC Signature Series for cards. This expansion will cater to autograph collectors by providing a wide range of services through the combined expertise of CGC and JSA.
Founded by James Spence, Jr. in 2005, JSA is renowned as the leading autograph authentication service in the industry. With a database of nearly 1 million images, JSA utilizes advanced technology and a vast resource of autographs to ensure precise authentication for collectors.
Autographed cards that pass through the CGC and JSA certification process will bear the distinctive CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. This label showcases both brand names and prominently features the “Authentic Autograph” designation in yellow, a color traditionally used by CGC to signify genuine signatures. Moreover, autograph grading can be requested, with the grade displayed alongside the card’s overall grade and description on the label. Cards encapsulated with this label will also include detailed CGC Cards Grader Notes about the signers.
For premium cards, CGC Cards offers the prestigious gold CGC x JSA Pristine 10 label, exclusively reserved for cards that receive a perfect CGC Pristine 10 grade.
Steven R. Eichenbaum, the CEO of CCG, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that the combination of top-notch grading services from CCG with expert autograph authentication services from JSA marks a significant milestone for the industry. James J. Spence, Jr., President of JSA, expressed his excitement about launching combined services for cards, fulfilling a request that collectors have had since the inception of JSA.
For collectors looking to submit cards for CGC x JSA certification, detailed instructions can be found on the CGC Cards website. Submissions can be made through the online form, where collectors can choose the “JSA Autograph Authentication” option after selecting 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 providing collectors with unparalleled services, ensuring that every submission is treated with the utmost care and expertise. This collaboration between two industry leaders is set to elevate the collecting experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
