PSA is launching a new encapsulation service for autographed Funko POP! figures.
The company has long provided autograph authentication of signed Funkos but the new service aims to preserve and protect them.
“The service offers peace of mind for collectors as well as an excellent way to store, preserve and present their Funko POP! figures by way of the easily stacked, encapsulated holders,” said Jamie Kiskis, vice president of Product Development at Collectors Universe.
The figures have become a huge international seller with sports, entertainment, pop culture and political subjects among thousands created.
“Autographed vinyl figure boxes are one of the top items that arrive at PSA for authentication,” added Kiskis. “In the last 18 months, they rank sixth on the list of autographed items most frequently submitted for authentication.”
In 2018, Funko Inc., which launched the POP! vinyl figure line in 2011, reported the company’s net sales were $686 million, with its figures representing 82% of all sales. By the end of 2019, it had produced over 8,000 different figures.
PSA does not authenticate or grade the packaging or the figure itself; it only authenticates and grades the autograph on either the figure or the signed box. Collectors will have to have the box for PSA to encapsulate it. The cost of the PSA encapsulation service is $25 per holder.
