Graded Comics

[James @CGC_SI]

Agreed, but that’s what competition does. CGC never did autograph authentication, outside of Signature Series. Then CGC caught wind that PSA was coming into the game so they went out and bought JSA.

Seems like we’re finally getting some things we’ve asked about for years. Bottom line, this competition is great for collectors!

[James @CGC_SI]

Mbappe with the goal!

This is his 1st Sports Illustrated cover from December 2022 during the last World Cup in Qatar. This is a 1 of 2 variant with the US Men’s team including Christian Pulisic on the other cover.

Shown graded in newsstand at CGC 9.6.

[James @CGC_SI]

I knew I recognized that photo. Stan Mikita’s 2nd ever cover appearance on Sports Illustrated from March 20, 1967 graded at CGC 9.2.

[James @CGC_SI]

It does seem like the CGC Home Video division could use some attention. Didn’t realize they don’t have yellow autograph labels for this like they do comics and mags.

I just submitted about a dozen VHS for grading for a customer and the whole process could use improving. Not to mention the wait times on Home Media 😳

[James @CGC_SI]

Today in 1968 Wilt Chamberlain is traded from the Philadelphia 76er’s to the Los Angeles Lakers. He becomes the first reigning NBA MVP to be traded the following season.

This is his 1st Sports Illustrated cover appearance from October 30, 1961 graded in newsstand at CGC 9.4. This is a pop 1 with none graded higher.

[Pressing Content LLC @PressingContent]

This is Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #1 from March 1978 that was put out by DC Comics. I’m cleaning and pressing this copy for a fellow collector.

Love the look of this before and after!

[James @CGC_SI]

I feel like this isn’t getting enough attention right now. Adding “newsstand” to the slab label is something collectors have been asking for years. Nice job by CGC in making this happen!

[James @CGC_SI]

Charles Barkley definitely deserved that nickname!

[James @CGC_SI]

Some people don’t know this, but before Charles Barkley became a star with Inside the NBA, he actually played in the league for 16 seasons. (There needs to be an emoji that means sarcasm).

This is his 1st Sports Illustrated cover from December 12, 1988. I’m cleaning and pressing this copy for one of my customers. Before and after pics are so satisfying!

[James @CGC_SI]

OJ Simpson was born on this day in 1947. This is his 1st Sports Illustrated cover from November 20, 1967 graded at CGC 7.0.

What do collectors do with OJ? For me there’s no right or wrong answer. Some wouldn’t ever touch his items. Others might be huge Bills or USC fans and can appreciate his on field work despite the murder trial. Some view collecting his items as preserving history.

There’s definitely still a market for his pieces, albeit much less than it would have been.

[James @CGC_SI]

I always forget how Magic Johnson came into the NBA and won a title and Finals MVP in his rookie season. This is his 4th Sports Illustrated cover from May 26, 1980 - I’m cleaning and pressing this for a customer.

Lots of problems got fixed on this copy. Now it’s off to PSA for grading!

[James @CGC_SI]

Today in 1996 Alex Rodriguez get his very 1st Sports Illustrated cover appearance. This copy graded at CGC 9.4 is a pop 5 with only 10 copies graded higher.

Rodriguez is currently 5th on the all-time HR list with 696.

[James @CGC_SI]

Yes I do remove labels. Yes, I’m an authorized dealer for both CGC and PSA and can submit on behalf of other collectors.

[James @CGC_SI]

This is a small format copy of Jet magazine that I’m working on for a fellow collector. You can clearly see the crimp seal used to identify this copy as being owned by a library. These type of seals are usually used in official documents like birth certificates and are very difficult to fix.

This copy had to be run through the press 7 times with varying techniques to get the final results. As you can see, 99% of the crimp came out. While I’m happy with the results, that 1% is gonna bother me for a while 😐

[James @CGC_SI]

Today in 1969 Reggie Jackson makes his Sports Illustrated cover debut. And also sported one of the most badass baseball uniforms of all time! This copy is even autographed and inscribed with “HOF 93”.

Reggie had 37 HR’s before the all-star game leading many to believe he might break Roger Maris’ record of 61. He finished with 47 and 117 RBI

[James @CGC_SI]

You’re a plant right? Nobody is this nice on Twitter.

Seriously, thank you 🙏

[James @CGC_SI]

When cleaning and pressing magazines and comics, most of the time the improvements are small. That’s ok, because that small flaw can mean the difference between a 9.6 and a 9.8.

When the differences are big, that makes for some amazing before and after pics. Look at this copy of Greg Maddux and his 1st Sports Illustrated cover appearance from 1995. After all these years of pressing, getting this kind of improvement still amazes me!

[James @CGC_SI]

Today in 1986 Diego Maradona gets his 1st Sports Illustrated cover during the World Cup in Mexico. This copy is graded in newsstand at CGC 8.0

Maradona and Argentina would go on to win the World Cup that year. That path to victory included the famous “Hand of God” goal vs England and 3-2 win vs West Germany in the title game

[James @CGC_SI]

This is a great piece with a lot going on! This copy of Sports Illustrated landed on newsstands 4 years ago in July 2022.

It features Deion Sanders and his 1st cover appearance as a coach. It’s also the very 1st cover for both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Graded at CGC 9.8 this is a pop 3 with none graded higher.

[James @CGC_SI]

With Wimbledon happening right now, this is a great time to feature a tennis item. This is Andre Agassi’s 1st Sports Illustrated cover appearance from July 13, 1992. I’m cleaning and pressing this copy for a customer.

That’s a very satisfying before and after pic. My grade projection for this copy is 9.2