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SGC (SportsCard Guaranty) now Authenticating Music Autographs.

Seems we have another player in the lucrative game of authentication. SGC (SportsCard Guaranty) is mostly known for grading sports cards and is PSA's competitor. Don't think they got it right with this Springsteen signed photo but it's hard to see. Anyone have any music dealings with them?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 13, 2015 at 1:05pm

I can't imagine this is a good thing for collectors.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on August 13, 2015 at 5:59pm

Actually, I think competition among credible authenticating companies is good for the hobby and collectors. Just look at comic books who until recently only had CGC as a credible grading company. CGC pretty much had the run of the hobby, skyrocketing prices and collectors had no choice but to wait for a long time to get their items back.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 13, 2015 at 7:46pm

I'm thinking more along the lines of spreading themselves too thin and reaching into areas you have no real in-house expertise on. PSA and JSA pretend like they can authenticate any autograph ever, and look at the mess they're making now - plenty of rubber stamping going on and less than competent decision making. If some of these companies were to stick with a narrower areas that they know well, the quality of the service might remain higher.

It's all about growing the business and making money, not doing the right thing and providing a quality service.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Ryan on August 13, 2015 at 2:23pm

You know I've been keeping an eye on this one. The eBay seller in question has been discussed on here before for selling bad fakes and one quick look at their other items will tell you that's correct. However SGC has also been discussed on here and overall the opinions seem to be pretty positive about them. I checked out some other stuff with SGC certs and from what I seen they look good. From this I thought maybe the cert was faked so I checked the number on their online cert verification and it checked out. I got in contact with SGC and (in there opinion) it's genuine and what you're seeing in the picture is their premium certification. Honestly I'm stumped, there's just something about it that I don't like, also the listing price was $10... a Springsteen signed album starting at $10 from a seller who constantly and consistently sells fakes, I'd pass.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 13, 2015 at 4:33pm

SGC is an honest and reputable company. I can't imagine them ever knowingly certifying a forgery as genuine. Everyone makes mistakes, though...and more than I'd like to see. As for this Springsteen, I don't know if it's good or bad.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on August 13, 2015 at 5:56pm

SGC has been authenticating areas outside of sports for well over a year now. To my knowledge, they use Roger Epperson for music.

http://www.sgccard.com/OurStaff.aspx

To my knowledge, they send me all space items they receive... so from my perspective, they do use their expert consultants. Further, it is my impression they tend to authenticate conservatively.

I have no opinion on the item in question, but perhaps you may wish to contact Roger. Generally speaking, SGC is pretty tight and I have seen few negative remarks about items with their certification.