PSA/DNA

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Posted By: David 

I see that PSA/DNA will now authenticate, grade and encapsulate autographed trading cards. The rate is flat: $20 per autographed card, no matter whether it's Ty Cobb or Jose Canseco. I don't plan on using the service and have never had a card slabbed, but $20 for a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth sounds like a deal.

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Posted By: David

I can also safely bet you that in a short time GAI will have the a similar service.

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Posted By: leon

I still don't like their marketing. To me it sounds rather scientific, the whole "PSA/DNA" thing, which it isn't. It is basically a COA or LOA or just someones guarantee that they believe it is what they say it is....How does "Leon/DNA" sound.....? regards all

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Posted By: Jay Miller

It sounds like PISS/DNA

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Posted By: Tom B

As long as there is no blue dress involved......

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Posted By: warshawlaw

For a while in the late 80's I went through a binge of collecting autographs on cards. I have quite a few of now-deceased HOFers and popular players that I've always wanted to get encapsulated for display and protection (since I always used presentable but lower grade cards for autographs, I don't expect good grades).

Given PSA's sagging reputation for quality, and the quality of their holders, I'll wait for GAI or SGC to offer the service.

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Posted By: David

For most who are sending in an autographed Goudey to PSA/DNA, I would guess that the number grade is a side issue. I think the service is mostly based on Spence/Grad not the grading.

From what I've seen, PSA/DNA can put that little sticker in aesthetically unpleasing areas. I saw where it was placed on the front of a beautiful vintage photo (that also happened to be autographed). Not sure why it wasn't placed on the back. Excpet it to be placed on the card if you don't say otherwise.

I once removed a PSA/DNA sticker from an item (For horrid, evil purposes I can assure you). I will testify that it is taper evident.

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Posted By: David

One thing I never understood about CU was the geographical logistics. Spence is in PA, CU is in California and Grad is in Chicago(?). Unless the turnaround is damn slow, I don't understand how a card is judged authentic by Spence and graded by a grader (though obviously it's done). Perhaps there is a lot of travelling and meeting at mutual shows. Perhaps Steve Grad is feverously studying the grading charts in a Beckett monthly as we speak.

I once asked Spence about the logistics of examining stuff for a MastroNet auction-- but it's just name dropping (impressed?), as I can't remember what was his answer.

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Posted By: Tom

send scans back to Spence and Grad and they only request things they are not completely sure about......JMO.......

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Posted By: scgaynor

I have some of these graded signed cards on ebay now so I have an understanding of the process.

Jimmy and Steve are both in PA. The cards are submitted to PA, the autographs are authenticated there, and then the cards are sent from PA to California where they are slabbed and graded. From CA they are returned to the owner.

Scott

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Posted By: David

Scott, thanks for the input. Still, it sounds kinda goofy sending a card from PA to CA for it to get graded and authenticed.

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Posted By: David

I wonder if a kid in Kansas watches a plane flying over, wondering if it is carrying his card to California.

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Posted By: scgaynor

David, I agree.

I would think you could pay some kid $8 an hour to slab cards in PA just as easily as CA. Most of the signed cards that I have seen are only getting 5's, 6's, and 7's since they were well handled by the person getting the signature in the 1st place.

Scott