Essays

October Grading Report: SGC Freefall Continues

October Grading Report: SGC Freefall Continues

Last month I was accused of being a bit too dramatic about SGC's sudden month-over-month decline of nearly 50% in card grading volume. I questioned whether this was the beginning of the end of an era for SGC, and some though that assessment too harsh. This month, I'll...

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The Vintage Collector’s Legacy Readiness Checklist

The Vintage Collector’s Legacy Readiness Checklist

You’ve spent years building a collection that tells a story. But have you taken all of the necessary steps to make sure that story will outlive you? Recently, I have been helping several collectors prepare for downsizing, retirement, and eventual passing of cards and...

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Sports Cards Lose Ground at Local Card Shows

Sports Cards Lose Ground at Local Card Shows

I went to a local card show today, and the ratio of sports to TCG (mostly Pokemon) was about as usual lately. At least 60% Pokemon. And out of the 60 or so tables, 1 vendor had majority vintage sports. Frankly, I hardly attend local shows anymore. There's just almost...

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Vintage Market Tip: Buy the Fall Dip!

Vintage Market Tip: Buy the Fall Dip!

It happens every year about this time--the sports card market takes a little dip, for no great reason. Vintage is not immune. Baseball is ending. Football is starting. People start to think about holiday shopping and travel, and tighten the budgets a bit. If you're...

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5 Tips for Spotting Counterfeit Vintage Cards

5 Tips for Spotting Counterfeit Vintage Cards

You might think that with today's grading and authenticating technology, counterfeits would be on the decline. But you would be wrong. According to CGC VP and lead grader Andy Broome, he still sees counterfeits daily. Broome says "we see them nearly every day. I have...

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Can CGC Make Inroads into Vintage Sports Cards?

Can CGC Make Inroads into Vintage Sports Cards?

With the recent news of SGC's precipitous drop in volume, it's a fair question: Can CGC make inroads into grading vintage sports cards? Regardless of the future of SGC, it is obvious that less volume is the plan for the brand. That means there is available vintage...

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Review of the Mantel app: Social Media for Collectors

Review of the Mantel app: Social Media for Collectors

The new collectibles app Mantel came along at the perfect time for me. I have grown increasingly tired of wading through so much toxic content on big social media just to get to my card groups. Collecting is supposed to be my escape from those daily stressors. And as...

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Turnaround Times for PSA, SGC, CGC for the 2025 Holiday Season

Turnaround Times for PSA, SGC, CGC for the 2025 Holiday Season

It's the age old question in hobby groups: "So, what is the current turnaround time for (insert grading company here)?" Of course, answering this question should be as simple as going to the grading company's website, clicking on the appropriate level of service, and...

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Cardhound Connections

Cardhound Connections

Cardhound Connections This list of Cardhound-approved resources and vendors will eventually get its own "page" on the site.  But until then, bookmark this info on trusted vintage buyers and sellers, resources and groups, hobby suppliers, discount codes, and more. ...

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