It would be very interesting to hear directly from SGC on this. Was it just too much hassle for the liability? Is that specialized labor too expensive for the return? 

SGC once had an autograph authenticator but he left for Beckett. They also once had an agreement with JSA but CGC acquired JSA so those two companies work together now. 

Autograph authentication is a highly skilled trade that isn’t easily trainable. JSA sets up at our show in Boca and the reps at their table don’t actually authenticate on-site. They take pictures of the items and send it to the authenticators at the JSA office. 

My thinking is that authentication is a niche that will be on the way out as the Steve Grads of the world retire. Kids in school don’t learn cursive anymore and card manufacturers either witness the autograph being signed or mail the stickers to the athlete. 

None of this aligns with SGC’s business structure of fast turnarounds and efficiency. I don’t think we will see them get into auto authentication again.