NEWS FLASH: Dmitri Young has contracted his collection to GAI, which in turn will produce a CD feat

Basilone

According to a internet radio interview with Steve Rocchi (President of GAI) this afternoon....Dmitri Young has contracted his high grade collection to Global Authentication. GAI is in the process of producting a CD-ROM that will feature his collection so that Dmitri will be able to hand out copies to other players in the league, as well as, make it available to collectors.

The CD should be finished around the all-star break (at Fan Fest). Dmitri plans to leave a copy at the locker of each visiting player that comes to Detroit this summer.

The radio interview can be heard here: Rocchi Internet Radio Interview.

The interview is about 25 minutes into the show and last until about 25 minutes. The portion about the CD is approx 47 minutes into the show.

CON40

What does "contracted" mean? Will all the cards be removed from their PSA slabs and placed in corresponding GAI slabs? Will they be re-graded too?

Also, what would lead to Dmitri Young making this very serious decision? There has to be a measurable amount of risk in re-slabbing all those really high-dollar cards! I hope he has insurance.

Basilone

I do not think is is a BAD thing for the hobby (maybe for PSA...but not the hobby). The cards are still high quality examples regardless if they are in GAI or PSA holders.

The winners here (in my opinion) are GAI...who were thinking "outside the box" and came up with an original marketing concept.

PSA could of done this years ago....

At the end of the day.....it could actually bring some positive "mainstream" publicity to the hobby and vintage graded cards in general.

CON40

I don't think it's a bad idea either... we need more healthy competition in this market, especially with all the tarnish on BVG (trimming) and SGC (MW) lately. GAI could quickly become #2 in this market.

But, I know I wouldn't want someone cracking out my 1/1 PSA 10 Reggie RC... what if it gets dropped on the floor or anything? His collection has to be in 7 figures from what we've heard... what's in it for Dmitri to take this risk with his *whole* collection?

Basilone

Rocchi didnt say it was his whole collection...as Dmitri collects a wide array of years. I would think that the CD will show the "highlights" of his collection.

toppsgun

The next step in the Registry would be for PSA to take a collector's set(s), put the images on a CD, add a trailer or intro piece with interview and sell it back to us for $99. A way to immortalize each and every collection.

Maybe they'll include it with my next membership fee.

RobE

There are some holes in this story unless something has changed since gradedcardbuyer briefed me about this a few months back.

I'm to understand that PSA has their share of the spotlight in the mix too unless something has changed but I doubt it.

It's like that story on TV about baseball cards a few days ago where it was all about Fleer but they didn't utter the name Topps although they did show quite a few Topps cards.

Basilone

Actually thats not a bad idea.....once someone retires a set...they could offer a nicely produced CD that would give some history and a menu with various slideshows.

John

Basilone

well...I dont know what to say....the provenance I have is audio tape of Steve Rocchi.

Griffins

Didn't Davillilo get tossed and get called a POS for reporting exactly this?
I'm sure you're smiling right about now Jim!

Basilone

I do not think Davalillo mentioned a CD-ROM. Actually, Im looking forward to it.

RobE

Well,I guess it's a GAI exclusive unlike I was under the impression when I first heard about the DVD.Thanks for clarifying things Dave!It's a good thing for the hobby what this Organization under Dave and Dimitri are trying to do which is bring in more collectors to the hobby from fans to the ballplayers.

Best of luck in the adventure.

murcerfan

will they use the "exemplar" grading service?
I understand GAI has this, where they will include the previous grading company and grade on their flip along with the "new" GAI grade.
this could be a good thing if there is any ?? about the accuracy of a high end grade.Sort of a 1 of 1 plus 1 thing (remember Spinal Tap and the volume knobs that went to 12?)

anyways, I certainly will never have to worry about these matters with my collection.

AlanAllen

Does anyone know if Dmitri collects other sports? Abouit the time the conversations about him switching started, the only PSA 10 O.J. Simpson RC dissapeared from the pop report.

Joe

highend

i'm sure dmitri doesn't care about resale or even his collection losing value. every psa 10 crossed to a global 9.5 or 10 is a loss.
i wonder what will happen when his cards start slipping out of those inferior GAI slabs.

RG58

Although I tend to sit back and watch the fighting on the boards for pure entertainment ( I personally do not know the parties involved), I feel I should chime in now:

One of the best matches of all time... Davillilo vs PSA execs and many board members

Well I guess this RUMOR (DMITRI) is for real. So a winner is declared...

DAVILLILO!

grilloj39

Basilone...thanks for the link on the interview...even though I do not collect autographs, I found that portion of the interview interesting.

RobE

I am speaking on the behalf of Dave Bailey whom is not able to get to a computer at this time,so I am just lending a quick hand here.

1)The DVD coming out will be released at the National.

2) GAI is the designer of the DVD and exclusive distributer.

3) All 3 of the major grading companies (GAI PSA SGC) will have cards featured in the DVD.

4) It is still in the developmental stage.

5) Dimitri wants to simply share his collection in a way he can with people who don't get to see collections of this magnitude everyday.From: fans,to collectors,
ballplayers and introduce new people into the hobby.

6) He has not converted his collection to GAI holders.

7) He does collect all 4 major sports and this DVD will feature rare Gems and key rookie cards.

8) Both Dave and Dimitri are real excited to have the chance to make this DVD.

Mantlefan

Dmitri who??

CW

That sounds pretty cool. If the DVD is affordable, I'll be
sure to get one. This should also be good for the hobby, too,
since it will help spread the word about graded cards.

Great. That's all I need is a few more multi-millionaires bidding
against me on vintage PSA 10's. I wonder if Dmitri bought the PSA 10
Sport Kings Cobb on the Mastro auction. Was a little bit surprised
it only sold for around $70k.

Thanks for the scoop, John, and, "the rest of the story."

edit:
Thanks also to Rob & Dave for the additional info.

Basilone

I look forward to getting a copy. Its nice that Dmitri is proud of his collection and is willing to share it with the masses.

Too bad Detroit is not playing Cleveland during the National.....

qualitycards

I've heard alot of rumours that Dmitri has this card and that card, like the coveted rookies, '54 Banks 1/1 PSA-10 and the Aaron 1/2 PSA-10. Anyone know what else is inside his impressive collection? ...jay

RobE

<< <i>I've heard alot of rumours that Dmitri has this card and that card, like the coveted rookies, '54 Banks 1/1 PSA-10 and the Aaron 1/2 PSA-10. Anyone know what else is inside his impressive collection? ...jay >>



Jay,you'll see what else on that new surround sound home movie theatre you just installed this past Christmas.