I follow them on Facebook:

quote:

Leaf will be unveiling its custom cut/ executive collection cut program in Atlanta next week. Turn your cut signatures or autographed items into cut signature cards... and add value!!!!!!

(only authenticated autographs) PSA or JSA only... we can walk it through one of them for you at their fees..

The first of example of every signature we receive goes into a 1 of 1 design. Each additional of that name goes in a standard design. SO, if you act quickly, you can get 1 of 1's of your favorite personalities which should yield nice $$$ or save you $$$ from buying pack issued 1 of 1's..

They also said they will NOT cut a trading card to make a trading card.

What do you think? Is this a good way to go with an autograph collection? Or does it actually ruin the value?

I'm betting it won't be cheap either.

Ed

If a person spends the money to buy a signed document, then spends the money for it to be authenticated, WHY spend more money to destroy the document and put the autograph in a trading card? Yes, this is what trading card manufacturers do, but if I had the money to buy a document like that, I'd want to frame it and put in on the wall.

Sounds like a good place for forgers to have their items authenticated. I mean cut signatures are pretty sketchy to start with. This can only lead to more mistrust in the hobby. I started collecting autograph trading cards because I felt there was no other place safer to get an authentic autograph other than getting the autograph your self

Sort of an interesting concept -- certainly isn't for me, but I'm sure a lot of sports card guys will go crazy for this -- lots of 'em will rush to get 1/1s.

I could be interesting for that person looking to add that missing autograph card to their collection -- SMG from Buffy comes to mind, the problem is the design probably isn't going to be anything spectacular.

It could also work if you had autographs you obtained in person -- although I have no idea how expensive it is to get these authenticated by PSA. When I was a kid we'd go to the Chicago Bears training camp -- I have tons of autographs on beat up sheets of notebook paper. This could be an option for something like that. . . but I personally wouldn't spend the money to have it done.

At least they are trying something new -- kudos for that!

Jon

As someone who occasionally buys Razor/Leaf slabbed cuts (favorite is Boreanaz/Deschanel dual) I have to say, I think this is a TERRIBLE idea.
a.) This will decrease the value of Leaf/Razor Cut products which already don't hold up well.
b.) The design for the cuts is ugly IMO.
c.) I'm not sure how authentication will work. Leaf is teamed up with BGS which is teamed up with JSA. I think currently the Leaf products are only authenticated by Leaf which to me isn't one of the respected names in the autograph authentication world (JSA/PSA/etc.). If they are able to work out some deal with JSA or PSA (ie. Prominent Cuts) then it'll be slightly better.
d.) The idea that the first one to be slabbed is a 1/1 and then subsequent ones are just executive makes absolutely no sense from a collectors standpoint, yet somehow the card with the "1 of 1" designation and the uglier design will demand a premium if sold on the secondary market. Also, unlike current Leaf Cuts there will be no serial numbering of the cuts (ex. Cut 23/26)- and unless BGS makes a population report, the "rarity" will be: I) speculative and II) fluctuating
e.) It's already possible to make your own Cut or Cut card and have it slabbed/authenticated by JSA or PSA.

Summary: I don't see the point

PRICING: $39.95 for 1-9
$35.00 for 10+

Executive-

1/1-

Changing the name to Leaf isn't going to make an already dubious authenticating process any more reliable.

It seems to me that this "cut signature" idea has evolved into a process for making autograph items that no one can sell into something that is supposed to authenticated, rare and valued at multiple times the cost of the source material.

In my opinion the only good reason for any manufacturer to produce a cut signature is when the person is deceased. Obviously they aren't available for in person signings. If a living person is just a tough autograph, what makes anyone think that the cut is the answer, especially since it still has to be taken from something and these authentication systems leave a lot to the imagination.

I think this is just another gimmick to make money by appearing to add legitimacy. Plus these so-called cards are slapped together like a kindergartner's art project and are plain ugly looking.

quote:

Originally posted by Raven:
I think this is just another gimmick to make money by appearing to add legitimacy. Plus these so-called cards are slapped together like a kindergartner's art project and are plain ugly looking.

Agreed. Unfortunately, these products are selling. Worse for me is the thought of the historical documents they destroy to extract a badly cut auto of great people from the past...

great idea! not!
the phrase money for old rope comes to mind.

Leaf released the rest of the information on this:
-Items must be already authenticated by PSA/DNA or JSA
-The back of the card will say which service authenticated them
-First authenticated signature of a person [in the calendar year] is upgraded to a 1/1
-Autographs already in trading card form won't be accepted
-Items can't be any larger than 3x1.875x0.125 (so I guess you have to make the cut yourself?)
-Population Report will be available online and updated weekly

They're selling it by saying that it increases the value of the PSA authenticated Taylor Swift signed CD booklets from $50 to $160...

I stand by my prior statement that this is dumb.