Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) has made waves in the collectibles market with its recent acquisition of James Spence Authentication (JSA), a leading player in the autograph authentication realm. This strategic move aims to revolutionize the authentication and grading services offered to collectors worldwide.
Established in 2005 by autograph enthusiast James Spence, Jr., JSA has set the gold standard for autograph verification, having authenticated millions of signatures and curated an extensive database of nearly one million autograph images. With this acquisition, the founders, including James Spence and James Spence III, will continue to helm JSA’s operations, while co-owner Mark Pepitone will bring his vast experience to the team as a senior advisor.
The merger between CCG and JSA responds to the increasing demand from collectors for a one-stop-shop solution that combines authentication, grading, and encapsulation services for autographed memorabilia. While CCG has previously offered authentication through its Signature Series, the addition of JSA’s expertise fills a crucial gap in providing a comprehensive authentication and grading service for autographs.
Collectors of sports memorabilia, autographs, and other collectibles can anticipate an elevated experience with the integration of JSA’s revered authentication capabilities and CCG’s top-notch grading and encapsulation services. Commencing in April, collectors will enjoy a seamless submission process for both JSA and CCG services, streamlining the authentication, grading, and encapsulation of signed items. Furthermore, the companies have promised further service enhancements and announcements in the near future, promising an exciting trajectory ahead.
James Spence, Jr., and Mark Pepitone are optimistic about the future of JSA under CCG’s ownership, foreseeing innovative advancements in the realm of autograph authentication and collectibles. While JSA and CCG will initially operate as independent entities, the focus will be on synergizing their services to provide collectors and dealers with a more robust and streamlined offering, ushering in a new era in the authentication and grading of collectibles.