"Rookie collector" looking for info on history of Sports grading and current state of the market

BAYOUBENGAL

Got great advice a few months ago when I went to my first sports memorabilia show and since then have been following these boards. I would appreciate someone giving me the “brief” overview of how we got where we are in sports grading. This is sort of a “spin-off’ from another thread discussing psa turnaround times. I (as a new member) submitted 26 cards and it has been 50 days. When I was at the show the PSA reps were polite and told me it was likely to be a few months, which I am ok with (I am just a collector and am not in a big rush).
Based on my 2 days at the Houston show I observed the following (none of this is meant to be judgmental for or against any one company)
• PSA (and others in the grading and authentication business) have had significant turnover with people leaving to create new companies.
• This has lead to a fight for talent and thus “all” similar companies are a bit understaffed.
• The hobby could grow faster if there was a “PCGS/NGC” type submission (quicker times) process but none exists yet.
• The delays affect everyone, but the companies have to balance costs with making sure they do not lower their standards.
• Like in coins, auctions drive the companies. The $1M + Mickey Mantle cards, like the 1804 silver dollar in coins, is where these companies leverage large auctions, as opposed to retail needs
• Becketts may enter this arena.
So I guess my main question is, am I right to assume that we are in a period where things are still settling out and perhaps in the next year or so the process of sports memorabilia grading and authentication may become more seamless as the business is “right sized?”

Sorry for the length of this, just looking for some thoughts, thank you

LarkinCollector

@BAYOUBENGAL said:
Got great advice a few months ago when I went to my first sports memorabilia show and since then have been following these boards. I would appreciate someone giving me the “brief” overview of how we got where we are in sports grading. This is sort of a “spin-off’ from another thread discussing psa turnaround times. I (as a new member) submitted 26 cards and it has been 50 days. When I was at the show the PSA reps were polite and told me it was likely to be a few months, which I am ok with (I am just a collector and am not in a big rush).
Based on my 2 days at the Houston show I observed the following (none of this is meant to be judgmental for or against any one company)
• PSA (and others in the grading and authentication business) have had significant turnover with people leaving to create new companies.

I don't think that's been the case for many years. Turnover goes to one of the other two companies for those staying in the card grading business. I can't think of a successful startup in this industry in the past decade.

• This has lead to a fight for talent and thus “all” similar companies are a bit understaffed.

Understaffing is/was due to an unexpected demand spike, driven in large part by non-sports cards, especially Pokemon.

• The hobby could grow faster if there was a “PCGS/NGC” type submission (quicker times) process but none exists yet.

Quicker times are available, just not cost effective in many instances.

• The delays affect everyone, but the companies have to balance costs with making sure they do not lower their standards.

At least some of the PSA delays in the past year are due to moving to a larger office and cross-training staff from PCGS to have graders who can work whichever side of the business is in need.

• Like in coins, auctions drive the companies. The $1M + Mickey Mantle cards, like the 1804 silver dollar in coins, is where these companies leverage large auctions, as opposed to retail needs

Not sure what you mean here.

• Becketts may enter this arena.

Beckett has been in the card grading business for many years, they have some niche areas where they excel (Star basketball, larger items that don't fit in PSAs largest holder) and others where they hold their own, especially in modern releases.

So I guess my main question is, am I right to assume that we are in a period where things are still settling out and perhaps in the next year or so the process of sports memorabilia grading and authentication may become more seamless as the business is “right sized?”

I'd say it's pretty well settled out w/three top-tier grading companies and has been for several years. I think at least PSA is starting to turn the corner on the delays in grading, at least I'm seeing positive signs in grading turnaround and registry updates.

Sorry for the length of this, just looking for some thoughts, thank you

BAYOUBENGAL

Thanks Larkincollector, great stuff, two things, on Beckett I meant they may enter authentication part, my bad, on the new companies front I also meant authentication, didn't some PSA guys leave for Beckett and some left to from a new company (in NJ I think). Sorry I may have misunderstood this part, thank again

LarkinCollector

If you're talking auto authentication, Beckett's been in that business for many years. If you're referring to Spence, yes, he's been affiliated with all 3 of the top card grading companies at one time or another w/JSA as an independent company since 2005ish also doing authentication for auction houses. Grad left PSA for Beckett in the past year or so.

1951WheatiesPremium

@BAYOUBENGAL said:
Thanks Larkincollector, great stuff, two things, on Beckett I meant they may enter authentication part, my bad, on the new companies front I also meant authentication, didn't some PSA guys leave for Beckett and some left to from a new company (in NJ I think). Sorry I may have misunderstood this part, thank again

Sportscard Guaranty (formerly in NJ, now FL). Very good company.

PSA, SGC, Beckett is my preferred order though all are good....

Stone193

Just for perspective?

In 1989 Superlative Baseball Card Certification Corporation opened its doors May 25th. They employed a 100 pt. grading scale.

In the late 80s early 90s - before PSA - Alan Hager started ASA/Accugrade Card Grading Company.

He was the one who patented the "Arrowhead" holder which everyone used today and the 10 pt. grading system.

Many dealers were not happy at all with the concept of TPG's.

Before the internet, buying from SCD e.g. was a real crapshoot since most all dealers over-graded by today's standards.

IMO, buying a PSA graded card made it much easier when buying via the mail.

PSA started in 1991 and from what I can remember had a pretty good head of steam by the 1992 National in Atlanta?

BAYOUBENGAL

Stone193 thanks, I feel same way about coin slabs, as a collector it gives piece of mind...

1951WheatiesPremium

All I can say is turnaround times vary and you get what you pay for.

I sent three subs all in the same week though at different tiers. Still waiting for the one I sent first (regular) and other two are home. But 2 day is 2 day.