Philly non-sport show a success

BGS Grading attended the 50th Philly non-sport card show in Allentown, PA. This was the first time BGS has appeared at the long-running non-sport show.

The show was well attended both Saturday and Sunday. Collectors came from all over the Northeast to see card manufacturers such as Rittenhouse and Breygent and to see such sketch card artists as Brian Kong, Jim Kyle, Ken Kelly and NAR! It isn’t everyday you can go and see artists at work drawing and creating your favorite sketch cards!

BGS was there taking card submissions and to discuss grading and answer questions. While we did take in some sports cards, the majority of the submissions we received were non-sport cards. We saw some great vintage and some sweet modern like rare autographs and awesome sketch cards.

Sketch cards may be the hottest thing in trading cards right now. If you are a strictly “sports” card dealer, now is the time to learn more about the non-sport card market. Some of the most popular cards being submitted to BGS are non-sport cards and sketch cards. Sketch cards may be new to the sports card market, but they have been in non-sports cards for 10 years now.

- Andy Broome, BGS Grading

Ask BGS

Q: What are some tips for sending cards to you for grading?

A: This is a great question! Here are a few tips every submitter should know.

• The best card holder to use for submitting cards is the semi-rigid. These will keep cards secure and will prevent the card from sliding around in the holder. Top loaders are good but cards can move in top loaders causing damage to the card.
  
  You are careful with your cards, we are careful with your cards but you and I cannot watch the shipping company every step of the way.
  
  Once you have a nice stack of cards semi-rigid holders, place a piece of cardboard on the top and the bottom of the stack and tape the two together creating a nice solid brick. Now the cards can’t slide around and they can’t be bent.
  
  
• JUST SAY NO TO SCREWDOWNS! Once considered the royalty of card protection, screwdown holders are now just downright scary!
  
  Sure, we as collectors all used screwdowns. Nothing displayed a 1952 Topps Mantle better than a 1-inch thick block of solid plastic. That was 1989. After many years of handling cards, we now know there is a better way to protect your collection.
  
  These hunks of plastic are a no-no for shipping. If you have cards in your collection that have been in these types of holders for many years, it may be time to consider removing the cards and updating your protection.
  
  
• Whatever method of shipping you use to send your cards to us, use some form of delivery confirmation. This is an easy way for you to know your order arrived at Beckett HQ.
  
  
• We recommend insurance, both ways. Insurance is not mandatory but it’s a good idea. We suggest buying insurance when shipping to us and we recommend buying insurance for the return shipping. The rates for return insurance can be found on our submission form.
  
  
• Don’t forget to check your submission form twice. Make sure you clearly wrote your personal information. Don’t forget an email address. We send status emails telling you when we receive your order and when it will ship.
  
  
• Don’t forget your payment! Yes, this is an important one but can be forgotten when you are in a hurry to get everything just right. Without a payment, your order can be delayed and no one likes waiting longer than they have to.