If you mostly collect already-graded cards, you don't need to know much about assessing card condition. That work has been done for you (for better or worse), and you buy your graded 5 ("excellent") or 7 ("near mint") and go about your day. But for those of us who...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
(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...
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...
We are just a few days away from the start of The National, aka The National Sports Card Convention, in Chicago (well, Rosemont). Cardhound Matt will be there on Thursday, so get in touch if you'd like to say hi! I'll be toting some tee shirts and free promo items....
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...
