This column is a beginner's guide to several common kinds of antique glass for sports and non-sports collectors. Glass is labeled and catalogued in different ways, including by its formula or chemical recipe, how the final shape is formed, its style and genre. The following are standard types of glass, defined by the formula, method and genre. Pressed glass. Most glass … [Read more...] about Sports Collector’s Guide to Identifying Glass
Authentication
Identifying Antique Commercial Printing Processes: Part 1 of 6
In the upcoming six-part series, we will look at how to identify the standard antique commercial printing processes used to make everything from sports cards to advertising posters to publications to postcards. There are two main reasons for wanting to able to identify the processes. One is connoisseurship. As a hobbyist, enthusiast or weekend museum visitor, it's good and … [Read more...] about Identifying Antique Commercial Printing Processes: Part 1 of 6
Guide to Authenticating Pre-War Baseball Cards
Several years ago I wrote a short paperback book called 'Judging the Authenticity of Early Baseball Cards.” It covers the basics of authenticating and forgery detecting Pre-War cards, including T206s, Old Judges, Allen & Ginters and all the rest. You can view/download for free the guide in pdf ebook form here. As the book is about eight years old, I re-read it see if … [Read more...] about Guide to Authenticating Pre-War Baseball Cards
Vintage Baseball Cards Questions and Answers
The following are answers to email baseball card and related questions I've received in the past. If you have any questions for my column, feel free to email me at [email protected]. QUESTION: What is a baseball card progression proof? ANSWER: Progression proofs were proofs, or test prints, that were used by the printers to test the colors and color alignment … [Read more...] about Vintage Baseball Cards Questions and Answers
Autograph Authentication on Amazon and eBay: Where Does It Stand?
In April 2000 a joint report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding the now well-known “Operation Bullpen” began with the following paragraph: “According to long-time memorabilia collectors, the market for genuine vintage memorabilia has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the late 1980s, the market … [Read more...] about Autograph Authentication on Amazon and eBay: Where Does It Stand?
PSA Introduces New Holders
PSA is rolling out new holders with what it calls “increased security features”. The company first indicated new plastic encapsulation material was on the way during a luncheon at last summer’s National Sports Collectors Convention but it wasn’t until Tuesday they were ready to unveil the finished product to the public. At first glance, the new holders may look exactly like … [Read more...] about PSA Introduces New Holders
PSA to Offer On Site Grading Special at NSCC
PSA says collectors have been asking them to bring down prices for grading at the National so lower priced cards can be submitted for quick turnarounds. The company has responded. Normally, on-site card grading fees range from $35 to $300, depending on the declared value of the cards. Traditionally, most submitters have chosen on-site grading for their more valuable cards … [Read more...] about PSA to Offer On Site Grading Special at NSCC
Topps Offers PSA Authentication for ’11 Draft Picks and Prospects AFLAC Autos
The AFLAC High School All-American Autographed cards that were inserted into packs of the recently-released 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects did not get sequentially numbered. The seven subjects included Archie Bradley, Dylan Bundy, Larry Greene, Travis Harrison, Francisco Lindor, Robert Stephenson and Blake Swihart. To ensure the autographed card’s authenticity, … [Read more...] about Topps Offers PSA Authentication for ’11 Draft Picks and Prospects AFLAC Autos
PSA/DNA Adds Embedded Holograms to Authenticity Letters
PSA/DNA Authentication Services is now using an embedded hologram in its letters of authenticity (LOA), a technological advance unprecedented in the field of third-party autograph and memorabilia authentication. A second watermark is also being added to the LOA. “The detailed, color-changing PSA/DNA logo hologram on the LOA is actually embedded into each sheet of paper used … [Read more...] about PSA/DNA Adds Embedded Holograms to Authenticity Letters
Face-to-Face Offer Leads to Big Consignment
Sports card shops and shows were once the venues where the majority of buying, selling and trading of sports cards and memorabilia took place. That changed in the 1990s, when thousands of collectors began to discover the internet. Most transactions are done between complete strangers with email correspondence the only interaction. Some dealers have discovered that there … [Read more...] about Face-to-Face Offer Leads to Big Consignment