In this new, limited blog series, “20 Ways to Collect While Stuck at Home,” we offer ideas for enjoying your collection at times when a standard hobby experience is not possible. Illness, financial constraints, or any number of factors might temporarily keep collectors from…
Everything Else
For a ranking of most valuable cards, editorials on a set and everything in between, visit this category.
The Rise and Shine of Pokémon
Special thanks goes to the late Daniel Chuong who provided key contributions to this entry. Just when you thought you caught them all, a new challenge to complete your Pokédex arises. Shiny Pokémon were first introduced in the Generation…
Hobby Gratitude for 2019
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I enjoy the cooler temperatures of the season and, of course, the food, but those are just ancillary reasons. The truth is that I enjoy the time of reflection, having gratitude…
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…
At Long Last, Johnny Robinson is a Hall of Famer
The hobby’s greatest annual spectacle was held last week when dealers and collectors alike descended upon Chicago for the National Sports Collectors Convention. I attended the 2017 and 2018 Nationals as a member of the PSA staff and had…
The Collectability of Pokémon Cards
Note: This entry was updated on January 7, 2020. Pokémon has been around for many years and, with its roots stemming from Japan, it’s enjoyed a successful transition to the West. Since the very beginning, Pokémon has pushed its…
New Year’s Resolutions and Hobby Goals for 2019
It is the time of year that many of us review the past 12 months and recognize the changes that we want to make moving forward. Our collecting lives are no different and so I have made a series…
TJ Kaye: PSA’s Rings, Trophies and Awards Authenticator
His name is TJ Kaye. His job is identifying, authenticating and certifying championship rings, trophies and awards for PSA and PSA/DNA. He’s been working for the industry’s top authentication and grading company for nearly 14 years although he’s been…
Diamonds in the Junk – 1990 Fleer Basketball
For collectors of a certain age there is something oddly comforting about junk wax cards. Far too many were printed, they’re littered with quasi-errors and print issues, and “rare” chase cards are numbered in the thousands. However, they are…
Thanksgiving Football Games Told By Rookie Cards of All-Time Greats
The day of copious amounts of food and family gatherings is upon us. And without question, football and Thanksgiving are as synonymous as mashed potatoes and gravy. Tracing its roots all the way back to 1920, Thanksgiving Day football…