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Posted By: davidcycleback

As far as the comment that PSA should be able to expertly judge everything that is set them, I say it's a strength to know your weaknesses. A genuine expert in any area-- paintings to autographs-- will tell you there are many things they don't know, and that it would it would be a big mistake in judgment for him to give a thumbs or or down on anything and everything put in front of his nose. Most of professional authenticatings's most famous bloopers are the product of grading too much (both in kind and volume) rather than too little.

Of course, professional authenticators should be in the business of expanding their knowledge and abilities, and be able to authenticator more items. If a grader doesn't holder a legitimate standard issue today, it's not too much for a collector to expect the the grader to get working on it. In fact, I know some grading companies actively study new areas of memorabilia (say postcards, tickets, photos) so they can holder them for customers in the future. It's their benefit to be able to holder more stuff.