Trading cards and memorabilia are things that we all appreciate, and collectors celebrate individual hobby accomplishments throughout the year. But there comes a time every summer when PSA rolls out the proverbial red carpet and acknowledges what we consider to be the greatest annual achievements on the PSA Set Registry. A celebration of these collectors is typically held at the PSA Set Registry Luncheon each year at the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC). The luncheon did not occur this year as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the annual show. Still, PSA recognized many incredible collecting milestones that took place since the 2019 NSCC in Chicago.
The awards are divided into two major categories: “Best of the Registry” Winners, and the PSA Set Registry Hall of Fame. Recognition on the Registry is also given to any collector whose set has held a No. 1 ranking for multiple years in a row.
Though we were all sequestered in our homes in the days leading up to this year’s May 29th deadline, it is clear by the quality of the awardees that COVID-19 did not hold us down as hobbyists. The following are a few of the many notable PSA Set Registry 2020 Award winners:
Dr. Jeffrey Griffith – Best Collection of the Year – Of the 275 hockey sets in which Dr. Griffith currently participates, 269 are complete and he is the category leader in all but 20. His main focus is in sets that recognize success, such as the Hockey Hall of Fame Rookies, NHL 300 Wins Club and 1st Overall Draft Pick sets. He has also built annual All-Star Team sets from 1930-2016, assembled notable player and rookie sets, and completed collections for the recipients of each major NHL award.
Jim Chanin (Jim’s) – Best Pre-War Vintage Baseball Set of the Year – Cracker Jack 1914-1915 Mega Set – The 1914-15 Cracker Jack Mega requires a collector to locate dozens of vintage Hall of Famers, contend with thin card stock and candy stains that are devastating to condition, and recognize that with 320 cards, so this project could take decades. This entry is the only set currently at 100% completion and it boasts an incredible 7.01 GPA.
Fly Eagles Fly – Best Modern Non-Sports Set of the Year – Topps Wacky Packages Series (1-16) 1970s Run – This complete run of Topps Wacky Packages contains all 489 cards from the 16 original 1970s sets. Boasting an overall GPA of 10.68, Crust Toothpaste, Minute Lice, Paul Maul and the rest are found here in their high-grade glory.
Rare Bear AZ – Best Ticket Set of the Year – Super Bowl Basic Set (1967-Present) – This collection of Super Bowl tickets is the highest graded complete set to be assembled on the PSA Set Registry. Every entry is a stunning full ticket that calls to mind the greatness of Starr, Staubach, Bradshaw, Brady and the other men who earned the right to play on the NFL’s biggest stage.
The quality and attention paid to the details of these collections is simply astonishing. But one of the neatest parts of the PSA Set Registry Awards is that each year new collections come onto the scene and compete for honors within their categories. The competition is strong, but the Set Registry community and overall experience contribute greatly to the joys derived from this great hobby. If you have a collection that you believe is worthy of recognition, please take a look at the necessary information and be sure to submit your set(s) by the deadline of Friday, May 28, 2021. All sets must be registered and updated no later than 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST) that day.
Good luck and maybe next year you will be strolling down the red carpet!
