Editor’s Note: PSA no longer offers Ring, Trophy and Award Authentication Services as of February 20, 2021. TJ Kaye is a veteran of sports authentication. His job is to certify championship rings, trophies and awards for PSA. With Super Bowl…
Autographs
Want a breakdown of the various signature styles of Mickey Mantle throughout his career, or a profile on some of the scarcest autographs in the hobby? Here’s where you would start.
Bidding on Rare Abraham Lincoln Signed Portrait Photo Closes January 16
Note: This entry was updated on January 17, 2020. Authentic Abraham Lincoln autographs are hard to find. And when one surfaces, it can often fetch a steep price at auction. These can vary from an Abraham Lincoln autographed letter…
Displaying Your Card Collection
In the collectibles community, there’s no greater joy than pulling a coveted card from a pack. Try and visualize unearthing Michael Jordan’s #57 rookie card from a previously uncracked wax pack of 1986 Fleer Basketball. Or what about snagging…
The Importance Behind Third-Party Authentication and Grading
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…
Authenticating a Babe Ruth Game-Used Bat Attributed to His 500th Home Run
On Sunday, August 11, 1929, the New York Yankees visited Cleveland’s League Park to take on the Indians. Babe Ruth, batting cleanup, led off the second inning of a scoreless game. On the first pitch he saw from Willis…
Jose Altuve: Houston’s ‘Little Big Man’ Continues His Hobby Surge
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve stands just five feet, six inches tall. He tips the scales at 165 pounds, soaking wet. But his impact on Major League Baseball games, namely postseason contests since 2017, cannot be overstated. He…
Who Wants a Fascinating TTM Autograph Project?
TTM = Through the Mail I’ve always found hobby projects to be most enjoyable when they have a specific theme and force me to learn something new while adding items to my collection. Of all the different manners in which…
Does a Player’s Autograph Add Value to His Card?
Ever since I entered this great hobby, I’ve been collecting on-card autographs. The majority of them I got signed in person. I’ve always found it fascinating to watch a player sign his cursive, and then see if he adds…
Just What Does the HOF Mean for Rookie Cards?
How many times have you been considering a card purchase when the dealer said something to the effect of, “It’ll go up once he gets into the hall of fame.” It happened to me pretty frequently when I was…
Celebrating Mickey Mantle’s Hobby Impact 24 Years After His Death
The first time I met Mickey Mantle I was standing on the dais at the first-ever, Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) kickoff press conference luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The date was Tuesday, Sept. 22,…