Oh the holidays… That time of year when our love for one another and generosity of spirit are often frustrated by the challenge of finding a proper gift for the collectors in our lives. Let’s face it, if your are…
Collecting Tips
Tips on building your collection.
Inscriptions Can Turn Autographed Cards into Historical Markers
There was a time in our hobby when inscriptions on autographs were much different than they are now. First of all, they were not represented by an additional charge at autograph signings. Second, they typically came in the form…
Building a Collection on a Budget
One reason that card collecting is a fantastic hobby is that we alone define the scope of our collections. Another benefit is that a thick billfold is not a prerequisite for building a meaningful and enjoyable collection. Many hobbyists…
Perfect Penmanship: Recognizing Six Quality Autographs
There have been countless lists compiled surrounding baseball autographs. Many of them have to do with the highest prices realized at auctions, while others focus on the popularity of the players themselves. But what I’d like to do with…
Collecting Autographs Through the Mail
There are many ways for hobbyists to add to their autograph collections. Participating in private signings, attending personal appearances, visiting hotels where celebrities are staying and purchasing PSA-authenticated signatures from hobby dealers are all legitimate ways to build a…
Building Themed Collections
There are infinite ways to build an autograph collection, but in my experience the hobbyists who have themes and goals seem to derive greater enjoyment out of their hobby than those who collect without guidelines. That is not to…
PSA Set Registry Starter Kit: Wade Boggs
In this series, we focus on sets from across sports and non-sports that are easy to build and won’t necessarily break the bank to acquire. Set Registry Starter Kit features sets that can appeal to seasoned hobbyists looking to expand…
When Is the Right Time to Sell?
Dumping One’s Collection Can Be Emotionally Draining I’ve asked myself this question a hundred times over the past 10 years: When is the right time to sell? As a sports memorabilia collector for the past 30 years, I’ve acquired my…
Making the (PSA) Grade – Part 2
Defining PSA card grading differences between VG-EX 4 to PR 1 Last month, we defined PSA card grading from EX 5 (Excellent) all the way up to GEM-MT 10 (Gem Mint). The higher the grade, the better condition the card,…
Making the (PSA) Grade – Part 1
How do you tell the difference between Gem Mint, Near Mint-Mint and Excellent-Mint? When it comes to defining the do’s and don’ts of managing your collection, one of the first rules of thumb is to preserve your cards. Because if…