When COVID-19 shut down the world, few expected one of the biggest beneficiaries would be… trading cards. But as people stayed home, rediscovered old hobbies, and watched “The Last Dance,” prices for iconic sports cards – especially Michael Jordan rookie cards – skyrocketed. What was once a nostalgic pastime became a global investment trend. Pre-COVID: … Read more
Photomatching has long been—and still is—considered one of the most reliable ways to verify whether a jersey, shoe, or other item was actually used in a game. Trusted companies like the MeiGray Group rely on this method alongside their official team partnerships, and even auction house giants like Sotheby’s—now entering the sports memorabilia space—use it … Read more
In September 2016, California passed a new law, Assembly Bill 1570 (AB 1570), aimed at providing stronger protections against the fraudulent sale of signed sports memorabilia (California Legislative Information). Unlike earlier regulations, which mainly focused on sports memorabilia, AB 1570 expanded the rules to apply to all autographed items sold for $5 or more. The … Read more
Autograph grading autographs — or any signed collectible — has become more than just a way to verify authenticity. It’s a financial strategy. A slabbed signature carries weight in the hobby, adds legitimacy, and can drastically increase resale value. But the real question is: Does grading actually maximize your return on investment? Everyone loves to … Read more
How is it possible that card manufacturers release high-end cards with patches that do not even match the featured player? It seems this happens more often than collectors would like to believe. Patch and autograph cards have the potential to significantly increase a card’s value. They create the feeling of owning a real piece of … Read more
In today’s global marketplace, it’s easier than ever to buy trading cards, autographs, and sports memorabilia from sellers around the world. One country that often causes concern for collectors is China. The market there is huge—especially for basketball cards and modern collectibles—but it’s also a hotspot for fakes and counterfeits. So how do you know … Read more
For collectors who own an impressive collection of trading cards and sports memorabilia, managing and organizing such a collection can be a challenge. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can not only maximize the value of your collection but also ensure its security and long-term management. Here are three essential lessons to keep … Read more
Everyone’s hyped about sports trading cards again. A rare LeBron James rookie card sells for over $5 million, and suddenly people are acting like this market can only go up. Sound familiar? It should—because this feels a lot like Beanie Babies in the ’90s. Let’s break it down. Hype vs. True Scarcity Sports cards hold … Read more
The trading card boom of the early 2020s sent prices for sports memorabilia into the stratosphere. But as the market cools and matures, collectors are asking: what’s next for the cards of the greatest athletes of our time? Today, we take a closer look at three icons across the major American sports leagues: Shohei Ohtani … Read more
Great news may be on the horizon for U.S.-based trading card collectors: PSA grading turnaround times could see a significant improvement — at least temporarily — as the company has paused all international submissions to its U.S. facilities due to newly expanded tariffs. Following a wave of steep tariffs announced by the U.S. government, PSA … Read more
