Let's face it: the only zero-risk transaction is hand delivery to a trusted friend in exchange for cash. Every other option involves at least some risk of shipping or financial loss--and many common transaction methods are actually very risky. So, what's a Cardhound...
Essays
July 2024 Vintage Grading Recap: SGC and PSA Dead Heat
If you follow this blog, you know I love my Gemrate grading data! Even if you don't grade much, it gives good insight into the health of the hobby and various sectors. Recently, I have been tracking PSA vs. SGC for early vintage. Read on for a full vintage grading...
Cardhound Launches Free Vintage Grading Advice Forum
The Cardhound Community is rolling out a new service, Cardhound Grading Advice, which is free at this time. We now offer expert advice and opinions on the following: "Should I grade this card?" "What grade would this card receive?" All members are welcome to chime in...
The 5 Things You Need to Know to Buy / Sell / Trade Online
Vintage groups continue to grow and flourish online. The largest group I administer has grown from 2,000 members to over 50,000 in the last few years. And it still picks up hundreds of new members weekly! Many of those members are new to the hobby, or returning after...
Quiz Time! Understanding Low Grade vs. Authentic / Altered at PSA and SGC
How well do you understand the difference between low grade cards and Altered cards? What kinds of flaws result in the dreaded "A" (authentic / altered) label? Take the quiz to find out! We have written about Low grade vs. Altered cards in the past, but don't...
Heading to The National: A Collector Reports
(Editor's note: this story on The National will be updated daily during the show, so check back often! Thanks to Mark for providing some on-the-ground reporting and observations! -Matt) Monday: Calm Before the Storm It’s the calm before the storm. Dealers are packed...
The Challenges, Frustrations, and Rewards of Vintage Set Building
First, a confession: I'm really not a vintage set builder. Until very recently, the last set I built was 1982 Topps. I built it . . . in 1982, age 9. But then 2 things happened. First, I realized that I was "sort of close" to completing a rare Cuban set that features...
10 Tips for Surviving (and Thriving!) at The National
We are just 2 days away from the start of The National, aka The National Sports Card Convention, in Cleveland, Ohio. Cardhound Matt does not get to go this year (first missed National in a few years), but we do hope to have some eyes and ears on the ground and provide...
Review: BCW Graded Card Hard Cases (fits SGC!)
If you are an SGC collector like me, you know that finding storage for their slabs is a challenge. They are just enough larger than PSA that the fit in most cases is just a bit too snug for my liking. And if your slabs are in sleeves, it's usually a no-go. Enter BCW...
Soaking a Sanella Ruth
This post marks the birth of the Cardhound Vintage Youtube channel. Give it a follow! Might as well start by featuring a cool card, a 1932 Sanella Ruth that an owner wanted removed from the album. Soaking cards out of albums isn't for the weak-willed. There's a lot to...