CGC and JSA Now Offering Combined Services for Magazines and Pulps!

The Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®) is excited to announce the latest expansion of its expert services for autograph collectors — Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), the world’s most trusted pop culture grading service, and James Spence Authentication® (JSA®), the world leader in autograph authentication, are now offering combined services for magazines and pulps! As of October 15, 2024, collectors and dealers can submit autographed magazines and pulps for authentication by JSA and grading and encapsulation by CGC in one seamless solution.

The news comes just in time to submit magazines and pulps, along with comics and cards, for CGC x JSA certification at New York Comic Con, one of the biggest pop culture events of the year.

Combined autograph authentication and grading for magazines and pulps follows the highly successful launches of CGC x JSA certification services for comics (May 2024) and cards (July 2024). CCG, one of the largest and most respected collectibles grading services in the world with more than 100 million items certified since 1987, acquired JSA earlier this year to add autograph authentication to its comprehensive service offerings.

CGC pioneered witnessed signature authentication when it introduced CGC Signature Series in 2001, but it had never offered full authentication and grading for collectibles with unwitnessed autographs until the launch of CGC x JSA certification. The combination of CGC and JSA services is the answer to the countless collectors and dealers who have asked to have their autographed collectibles authenticated and then graded and encapsulated.

JSA was founded in 2005 by James Spence, Jr., and today is recognized everywhere as the premier autograph authentication service for all types of collectibles, with a particularly esteemed reputation in the sports collecting world. In the last two decades, JSA has certified millions of autographs and in the process has built the world’s largest autograph database of nearly 1 million images encompassing virtually every known person. JSA uses this extraordinary database alongside deep expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to maintain unparalleled accuracy in autograph authentication.

Introducing the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label for magazines and pulps

Autographed magazines and pulps certified by CGC and JSA will be encapsulated with the bold, new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label, which is harmonious with — yet distinct from — the iconic CGC Signature Series yellow label. Now, collectors who submit autographed magazines and pulps for either CGC grading or CGC Signature Series will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label rather than receiving the CGC Qualified green label or the CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label — another benefit of CGC x JSA certification.

Check out the FAQs below for more submission details.

“We’re very happy with the pace at which we’ve been able to roll out CGC and JSA combined services,” said Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of CCG. “Now collectors of autographed magazines, like Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone, and autographed pulps, such as Weird Tales, can benefit from our expert services and protective holders.”

“We have seen so many great autographs on magazines over the years — renowned athletes, celebrities, musicians, the list goes on — and some pulps have been signed by legends of the genre, signatures that are unattainable now,” added James J. Spence, Jr., JSA President. “Combined CGC and JSA certification means that we will be able to better preserve the quality and significance of these special collectibles.”

How to submit magazines and pulps for CGC x JSA certification

Autograph collectors can now submit magazines and pulps for CGC x JSA certification using the CGC online submission form. Just select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service after you select CGC grading or CGC Signature Series as your primary service.

The introductory pricing for JSA autograph authentication is simple: only $25 per autograph, no matter the fair market value of the magazine or pulp. (Grading fees are additional.)

If you’d like JSA to also grade the autograph, you can choose “JSA Autograph Grading” for an additional $25, and the autograph grade will be included on the back of the CGC x JSA label. You have the option to select autograph grade prescreen, which means an autograph grade will be assigned only if it meets (or exceeds) your specified minimum autograph grade. (Note: JSA autograph grading is available only for magazines and pulps with two or fewer autographs.) For a complete list of CGC services and fees for magazines and pulps, go here.

All you need is a free account to submit, but paid members receive discounts on CGC x JSA certification — Associate and Premium members save 10%, and Elite members save 20%. For general information about how to submit to CGC, go here, and read the FAQs below for everything you need to know about submitting for CGC x JSA certification.

Ready to join CGC or upgrade your account? Select your membership level here. If you have questions about CGC x JSA certification services, please contact CGC Customer Service at 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310) or Service@CGCcomics.com.

FAQs

What types of collectibles can I submit today for combined CGC and JSA certification?

As of October 15, 2024, you can submit autographed comic books, TCGs, sports cards, non-sports cards, jumbo cards, magazines and pulps for combined CGC and JSA certification. When filling out the CGC online submission form, select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service after selecting your primary grading services.

Should I send my autographed magazines and pulps to CGC or JSA?

All autographed magazines and pulps (along with comics and cards) should be shipped to CGC or submitted to CGC at a show. All other autographed collectibles should be shipped to either JSA’s New Jersey or Florida facility, or submitted to JSA at a show.

Will my autograph(s) be authenticated by CGC or JSA?

All autographs will be authenticated by JSA, using the world’s largest autograph exemplar database of approximately 1 million files, unmatched expertise and state-of-the-art technology.

How much does JSA autograph authentication cost for magazines and pulps?

Collectors will appreciate the simplified approach to pricing for JSA autograph authentication for magazines and pulps. The cost is just $25 per autograph, regardless of the fair market value of the collectible. That means full CGC x JSA certification — autograph authentication, grading and encapsulation — starts at $50 per collectible. Paid members will pay less thanks to discounts on combined JSA and CGC certification services (see the next FAQ). For a complete list of CGC services and fees, go here.

Will my CGC paid member benefits apply to JSA services?

CGC Associate and Premium members will receive a 10% discount on combined JSA authentication and CGC grading, and CGC Elite members will receive a 20% discount on combined JSA authentication and CGC grading. These discounts do not apply to JSA-only services, however, and other exclusions apply. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I use my CGC membership credit toward combined CGC and JSA services?

Yes. The $150 credit that comes with a CGC Premium or Elite membership can be applied toward CGC x JSA certification. Please note that CGC credits cannot be applied toward JSA-only services. For more details and to select a membership tier, go here.

Can I get my autograph(s) graded?

Yes. If you would like your autograph(s) to be graded by JSA, select the “JSA Autograph Grading” option when filling out the CGC online submission form. The fee is $25 per magazine or pulp, with discounts available for paid members. Only magazines and pulps with two or fewer autographs are eligible to receive an autograph grade. (For magazines and pulps with two autographs, the autograph grade will reflect the combined grade of both autographs.) The autograph grade will be printed on the back of the CGC x JSA label.

There is also a prescreen option for autograph grades. If the autograph meets or exceeds your minimum grade, your autograph grade will be printed on the CGC x JSA label; if it does not, the autograph grading fee will be refunded less a $9 reject fee. Please note that the full JSA autograph authentication fees will still apply. For a complete list of CGC services and fees, go here.

Note: Autograph grading is NOT available for submissions of magazines and pulps with witnessed signatures.

Why is there a two-autograph maximum for autograph grading?

When autograph grading is selected, the magazine or pulp receives a single autograph grade. Attempting to blend the autograph grade across three or more autographs could add ambiguity to the grade.

What label will my autographed magazine or pulp receive?

Magazines and pulps submitted for CGC x JSA certification may receive the following labels:

• If your autograph is determined to be genuine by JSA, your collectible will receive the bold, new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label.
• If your autograph was witnessed by CGC (or JSA), your collectible will receive the iconic CGC Signature Series label, unless your collectible also has an unwitnessed autograph.
• If your collectible has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your collectible will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label.
• If your autograph is not genuine or unverifiable, your collectible will usually receive the CGC Universal blue label with text indicating the not genuine or unverifiable autograph.

Note: All magazines and pulps will receive grader notes describing the outcome of JSA’s evaluation. Grader notes are available for free by entering a collectible’s CGC certification number at CGCcomics.com. For more information about CGC labels, go here.

Will CGC offer custom CGC x JSA labels?

Yes. We have plans for custom CGC x JSA labels in the future.

What if my autograph was previously witnessed by JSA?

If your autograph was witnessed by CGC or JSA (as part of the JSA Witness Protection Program (WPP)), your collectible will receive the CGC Signature Series label, unless it also has an unwitnessed autograph. If your collectible has both witnessed and unwitnessed autographs — and they are all genuine — your collectible will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label.

If your autographed collectible has a JSA WPP sticker on it, you should select “CGC Grading” as your submission type and “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service when filling out the CGC online submission form. JSA autograph authentication fees still apply because JSA must reverify the authenticity of the autograph and JSA WPP sticker. If the autograph and JSA WPP sticker are genuine, your collectible will be automatically encapsulated with the CGC Signature Series label, which will identify the signer’s name and the date signed. This information, along with a notation that the signature was witnessed by JSA, will also be displayed in the grader notes on the CGC website.

Note: Witnessed autographs (by CGC or JSA) are NOT eligible for autograph grading.

Can I resubmit collectibles with a CGC Qualified green label for JSA autograph authentication?

Yes. Autographed magazines and pulps with a CGC Qualified green label are eligible for CGC x JSA certification. Submit these books under an applicable grading tier and select “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service. JSA will determine if the autograph is genuine, and CGC will regrade and encapsulate the collectible.

If the autograph is authentic, the magazine or pulp will be encapsulated with the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label. If the autograph is not genuine (or unverifiable), it will typically be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, and the label and grader notes will indicate that the autograph is not authentic (or unverifiable). Fees apply regardless of the authentication outcome unless the autograph is deemed to be unverifiable, in which case the JSA autograph authentication fees will be refunded. For a complete list of CGC services and fees, go here.

Can I submit autographed magazines and pulps that have already been authenticated by JSA for CGC grading and encapsulation?

Yes. You can now submit magazines and pulps with JSA-authenticated autographs for CGC grading and encapsulation. Simply select an applicable grading tier and choose “JSA Autograph Authentication” as an add-on service. JSA authentication and CGC grading fees apply for all resubmissions because JSA will reauthenticate the autograph and CGC will regrade the collectible. To provide an extra layer of scrutiny, magazines and pulps with autographs that were witnessed by JSA must also be submitted for autograph authentication.

Can I submit an autographed magazine or pulp for CGC Signature Series?

Yes. If the autograph is authentic, the collectible will receive the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label. If the autograph is not authentic or unverifiable, the collectible (which will now have a CGC-witnessed autograph) will receive the CGC Signature Series label with the label and grader notes identifying the not genuine or unverifiable autograph.

Note: Autograph grading is NOT available for CGC Signature Series submissions of collectibles with witnessed signatures and unwitnessed autographs.

What if my autographed magazine or pulp has a sketch or inscription on it as well?

In some instances, an autographed collectible may also include a sketch. If the autograph and sketch are both deemed authentic by CGC and JSA, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, and “sketch on cover” will be noted. If the sketch is deemed inconclusive and the autograph is deemed authentic, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label, and “sketch on cover” will be noted. If the sketch is deemed not genuine, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, regardless of whether the autograph is authentic, and “writing on cover” will be noted.

Autographed collectibles may also include an inscription, such as a date, nickname or personalized message. If the inscription is deemed authentic, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label with no additional notes. If the inscription is deemed inconclusive, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label with no additional notes. If the inscription is deemed not genuine, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label, regardless of whether the autograph is authentic, and “writing on cover” will be noted.

If a collectible’s sketch or inscription is deemed not genuine, it may be downgraded due to the writing.

Can I submit autographed magazines certified by CBCS for CrossOver service?

Yes. CBCS-certified autographed magazines are eligible for CGC x JSA certification. JSA will authenticate the signature and, if the signature is determined to be authentic, CGC will grade and encapsulate the magazine with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph black and yellow label. CBCS-certified magazines are NOT guaranteed to receive the same grade with CGC.

What is happening to the CGC Qualified green label?

Autographed collectibles will no longer be encapsulated with the CGC Qualified green label or CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label. Instead, collectibles with not genuine or unverifiable autographs will be encapsulated with the CGC Universal blue label (the label and grader notes will identify the not genuine or unverifiable autograph) or the CGC Signature Series label (the label and grader notes will identify the not genuine or unverifiable autograph).

Please note that the CGC Qualified green label will still be used for certain other qualifying factors, such as when a sketch will negatively impact the overall grade of a collectible (see above).

Can I opt out of JSA autograph authentication and receive the CGC Qualified green label instead?

If the autograph is on the cover of the magazine or pulp, it must be submitted for JSA autograph authentication. The autograph will be authenticated by JSA and then seamlessly transferred to CGC for grading and encapsulation. If you do not select JSA autograph authentication, this service will automatically be added, and you will be responsible for applicable fees.

If the autograph is on the inside of the magazine or pulp, you may choose whether to have it authenticated by JSA.

My autographed magazine or pulp is at CGC now. Will it receive the new CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label?

For any autographed magazines and pulps that are currently at CGC, Customer Service will contact submitters to see if they want to add JSA autograph authentication to their submissions. If the service is declined, the collectible will be encapsulated with the CGC Qualified Green label or CGC Signature Series Qualified green and yellow label. If the service is added, the autograph will be evaluated by JSA and encapsulated with the CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph label if the autograph is genuine.

Can I submit to JSA at CGC’s booth at shows?

CGC is now accepting autographed magazines and pulps (along with comics and cards) at its show booths for combined CGC and JSA certification. Soon, CGC and JSA will have an even more fully integrated show presence.

Can I submit to CGC at JSA’s booth at shows?

Not yet. Plans for a combined show presence are in the works and will be announced soon.

Can I submit my autographed magazine or pulp for JSA autograph authentication only?

Autographed magazines and pulps must be submitted for combined CGC and JSA certification services. The autograph on the collectible will be authenticated by JSA and then seamlessly transferred to CGC for grading and encapsulation.

Will CGC ship my submission to JSA for autograph authentication?

All JSA autograph authentication will occur while the collectible is at CGC’s facilities. Collectibles are not expected to be shipped from CGC to JSA.

Are CCG’s international offices now offering JSA services?

In addition to CGC’s headquarters in Sarasota, FL, CCG’s office in London, UK, will accept autographed magazines and pulps, along with comics, TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards, for CGC x JSA certification services. Autographed cards may also be submitted to CCG’s Munich and Hong Kong offices as well as through dealers in Mainland China.

Look for more details to be announced as CCG and JSA expand their services to other locations and collectible categories.