Beckett Grading and James Spence now encapsulating, authenticating autographed baseballs

11.02
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Posted on November 2, 2011 – 4:49 pm | Author: chrisolds
Baseball | , , , , , , , | Comments (16)

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

A recent discussion with an MLB employee in Dallas for the World Series led to a quick chat about something new with Beckett Grading Services — and it’s a product launch that started with a pretty impressive first specimen.

BGS and James Spence Authentication are now encapsulating, grading and authenticating autographed baseballs as part of BGS’ services with every ball permanently encased in a sonically sealed tamper-proof BallDome that features the information along its base.

The first baseball to get the treatment? The Babe Ruth ball seen above, graded a BGS 9 for the ball’s condition and a BGS 9 for the ink quality while passing full JSA inspection.

According to Mark Anderson, the Director of Beckett Grading Services, there isn’t a submission form available just yet but the fees are: JSA’s authentication fee, which varies by player (click here), plus $40 for encapsulation and grading.

Anderson said that the BGS fee is flat no matter what the service requested. Collectors can choose to encapsulate only, grade the autograph only or grade both the autograph and the ball.

For more information on BGS, click here.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

13 Comments

votc

I knew the Ball Dome guy hit a home run with that invention when he debuted it at the National in Cleveland a few years ago.

Posted November 2, 2011 at 5:01 pm | Permalink
James

Will the ball be able to move around? I hate it when the ball is encased and it rolls around so its not centered.

Posted November 2, 2011 at 5:13 pm | Permalink
Lou

Didn’t I read on this website awhile ago that JSA is under some sort of investigation by the FBI?

Posted November 2, 2011 at 5:41 pm | Permalink
steve santucci

Looks great. i hope the ball does not Rotate in transit(via mail) like some other graded balls do.

Posted November 2, 2011 at 6:26 pm | Permalink
kingofminors1

Chris, is the dome UV protectant, to prevent fading?

Posted November 2, 2011 at 6:50 pm | Permalink
chrisolds

The balls do not move around in the holder. UV resistant.

Posted November 2, 2011 at 7:19 pm | Permalink
steve

I believe toenails……thats the next big thing to be graded !!!!

Posted November 2, 2011 at 10:11 pm | Permalink
Robert Braxton

Beautiful!!!

Posted November 2, 2011 at 10:25 pm | Permalink
XstreamINsanity

Couple questions. What about older baseballs? Say you had a baseball signed by a player who played on the 1942 World Championship team and signed that ball not too long after the 1942 World Series. Would that be BVG or BGS? I noticed the ball only said Beckett Grading, so I was just curious. Secondly, what about multi-player autograph balls? I know they couldn’t put a grade for each AU, but would one bad AU set the grade lower? Thirdly, what grade would the ball from The Sandlot receive? lol. Just messing on the last one. Is there any future in this as well for other sports items (pucks, footballs, basketballs, golf balls, etc.)? Thanks.

Posted November 3, 2011 at 8:14 am | Permalink
Imperial Sports Auctions

That holder looks great! Look forward to using this service for some high grade balls in our future auctions!

Posted November 3, 2011 at 9:45 am | Permalink
Shaun Baus

What about a game used ball? Would that negatively affect the grade?

Posted November 3, 2011 at 11:02 am | Permalink
stan

these look awesome

Posted November 4, 2011 at 5:58 pm | Permalink
Ben

Is this an available service yet? I have a Ted Williams ball I want to do.

Posted November 9, 2011 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

3 Trackbacks

  1. By Beckett Grading and James Spence now encapsulating, authenticating autographed baseba - Blowout Cards Forums on November 2, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    [...] autograph only or grade both the autograph and the ball. For more information on BGS, click here. Beckett Grading and James Spence now encapsulating, authenticating autographed baseballs | __________________ Shop for Sports Cards and Trading [...]

  2. By JSA & Beckett Announce Graded Baseball Authentication Service on November 21, 2011 at 11:53 am

    [...] What better first specimen to display this new autograph authentication service; a gorgeous Babe Ruth autographed baseball. [...]

  3. By Grading Baseballs - Blowout Cards Forums on January 30, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    [...] Beckett News Beckett Grading and James Spence now encapsulating, authenticating autographed baseball… there is the info, the program has not started yet. __________________ http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/ae186/mikestriptoeurope/BASEBALL%20CARDS/ <MY BUCKET – ALWAYS BUYING AND TRADING FOR LINCECUM!!! AND NOW – DANTE BICHETTE TOO! [...]

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