Certified Guaranty Company and James Spence Authentication announced combined services for comic books Tuesday, providing collectors the ability to submit autographed comics for authentication by JSA and encapsulation by CGC.
In March, CGC announced its acquisition of JSA, a move which signaled CGC’s intention to add autograph authentication to their offerings.
CGC has operated a program called the CGC Signature Series since 2001, a process known as "witnessed signature authentication," which allowed the company to authenticate on-site autographs. However, CGC has never offered authentication for "unwitnessed" autographs until now.
“Collectors have been asking us to authenticate autographs for years, but we needed to do it the right way,” CGC president Matt Nelson said. “JSA’s expertise and reputation for autograph authentication were exactly what we needed, making us the instant leader in certification services for autographed comic books.”
In certain cases, such as with key comic books from the golden age of comics, the correct signature (like the cover artist or script writer) can add significant value to a book.
CGC also intends to bring JSA’s expertise into other areas of its business, including combined services for cards, magazines, concert posters and more.
Comic books have seen a strong start to 2024, with four CGC-slabbed books selling for $1 million+ in 2024 already, including a record-setting $6 million sale of Action Comics #1.
Newly authenticated CGCxJSA comic books will be encapsulated with a new-look black and yellow label, intended to stand-out from the CGC Signature Series label and the qualified green label, which signaled CGC would slab the item but not authenticate the signature.
Introductory pricing for CGCxJSA certification will begin at $25 per autograph, regardless of the value of the comic book. Additionally, collectors can opt to receive an autograph grade for an added $25. These fees will remain separate from the standard CGC grading costs.
“Just as CGC’s customers have been asking for autograph authentication, JSA’s customers have been asking to grade and encapsulate autographed collectibles,” JSA senior vice president James J. Spence III said. “Our combined services are the answer everyone has been waiting for, and the CGCxJSA Authentic Autograph label perfectly captures the bold moves we’re making together.”
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.