One of the toughest decisions any collector faces is when to part ways with all or some of his collection. It’s often based on finances – or lack thereof – and brings with it an emotional toll. It could also be a move that’s made to trade up, if you will, with the hope of landing another item that means just as much to the collector, if not more. Personally, I’ve acquired hundreds of autographs during my three decades in the hobby, many of them in person as I’ve watched players jot down their signatures, sometimes even adding inscriptions. These moments are etched forever in my mind although few, if any, were actually caught on camera.
What I haven’t always done is get my items authenticated after the fact because…well, heck…I watched the cards or the photos or the baseballs get signed! But realizing my 14-year-old daughter Dylan appears more interested in fashion and social media these days than she is in her dad’s sports memorabilia collection, I’ve decided it’s important to get third-party authentication behind the items. I certainly will gift the keepsakes to Dyl but knowing she has the proper authentication and/or grading behind the collectibles will make me feel better. By furnishing her with proper contact info to a couple of reputable auction houses, she will be all set when the day arrives she decides to sell after I pass on.
Toward that end, I thought it would be appropriate to write a blog entry about this eventuality and gather some keen insight from a couple of hobby insiders as to how they feel about third-party authentication and/or grading. PSA first introduced card grading to the marketplace in 1991, while its autograph authentication division (PSA/DNA) kicked into gear seven years later. Today they have collectively certified more than 35 million collectibles with a combined value of more than a billion dollars. It’s a staggering figure, but in today’s hobby climate – where forgeries and duplicates still exist – it’s a necessity when it comes to selling your wares.
“The services offered by PSA and PSA/DNA allow everyone to ‘speak the same language,’ which makes the sale of items quick and easy,” said Brian Dwyer, president of Robert Edward Auctions. “We often consult with non-collectors who are unaware of just how important grading and authentication is for the success of their items at auction.
“We communicate to them that the investment is wise and worthwhile since we consistently notice a premium attached to items that are authenticated by PSA or PSA/DNA. For us, as well as our clients on both sides of the equation, utilizing PSA’s services is an important step in the process.”
Auction house presidents should know. Nowadays, they really wouldn’t have it any other way. The peace of mind third-party authentication provides for the buyer really can’t be emphasized enough. People want to know that what they are buying is the genuine article. Just listen to Mile High Card Company President Brian Drent.
“PSA and PSA/DNA are essential to our market,” said Drent. “Our recent find [and subsequent sales] of exceptionally high grade Babe Ruth autographed cards would never have realized their world record prices had they not been authenticated by PSA/DNA. In fact, they would have been met with complete skepticism.”
For the record, Drent sold all four 1933 Ruth-signed cards during the past four months for a combined $563,973.
“Do yourself a favor and use PSA and PSA/DNA,” he added. “It’s really the only way.”
Twice now I have had PSA certified Refractor cards returned because the buyers were unhappy. One even commented that I did not know a base card from a refractor. Is there any chance they were correct? What more assurance do they have but PSA certification. I returned their money but it looks bad for us. Is a refractor rating an absolute grading?
Hi Bill,
Thank you for reaching out. It is difficult to give a response to your question without knowing all of the details. I would suggest placing a phone call to our customer service division (800) 325-1121, and describing the issue in detail. They should be able to help with your issue.
Thanks, Todd
I have a baseball signed “Sincerely Babe Ruth.” My father played for the St. Louis Browns in 1937 and 1938 and met Babe during one of those years.
That’s terrific, Teresa. What a great keepsake! After Ruth retired following the 1935 season, he landed his only non-playing position in Major League Baseball in 1938 as the first base coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Perhaps it was during that season your father crossed paths with Ruth? The Babe would never again work in any other capacity in MLB following the ’38 campaign.