Trading Card Therapy

What should PSA do when more affordable grading tiers return?In Trading Card Therapy Episode 127, Leighton takes a closer look at the current state of card grading and shares an idea for how PSA could better serve longtime collectors when lower-cost submission options become available again. With the potential for huge demand and another flood of submissions, should collectors who have supported PSA for years have an opportunity to reserve submission capacity?Leighton also reveals the grade on an incredible 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 that Just Collect submitted to PSA at The National. The card arrived as part of a complete ungraded 1952 Topps set, and its eventual grade played an important role in evaluating the collection. Did PSA get the grade right?Plus, we take another look at The Bucknell Find, an incredible vintage collection filled with baseball history. Leighton shares several cards he decided to keep for his personal collection, including cards and collectibles featuring Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Christy Mathewson and Lou Gehrig, and discusses why the cards that mean the most to a collector aren't always the ones worth the most money.IN THIS EPISODE:PSA grading and the current state of the hobbyWhat PSA could do differently for longtime collectors1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA grade revealDid PSA grade the Mantle correctly?The incredible Bucknell FindVintage cards Leighton is keeping for his personal collectionWhy collecting isn't always about valueLet us know in the comments: What would you like to see PSA do when more affordable grading options return?
Looking to sell a collection? Leighton is always buying with is company, Just Collect. You can reach our for a FREE APPRAISAL any time HERE.

Leighton purchased a $25,000 Babe Ruth card at the National Sports Collectors Convention.

Hear about the 1917–1920 Felix Mendelssohn Babe Ruth in this episode of Trading Card Therapy.

With only a small number of examples known, this particular Ruth is historically significant because it represents one of the earliest cards to designate Babe Ruth as a member of the NEW YORK YANKEES — while still picturing him in his Boston uniform.

Leighton is always buying and selling collections through his company, Just Collect. Reach out any time for FREE APPRAISAL!

Leighton is giving away $100 EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY during the entire National Sports Collectors Convention this week in Chicago!

See how easy it is to enter, and let us know how you would spend the $100 CASH if you win.

Leighton also shows off a vintage collection purchasing including a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card. Leighton is always buying collections and always offers a FREE appraisal. Reach out any time at Just Collect.

A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card was stored in an old screw down holder that Leighton opens for the first time in YEARS. Will the card get damaged? A 1909-11 T206 Honus Wanger was restored and is now at auction. Leighton discusses the what the card looks after the restoration.

Interested in selling a collection? Leighton is always buying collections with his company, Just Collect. You can reach out for a free appraisal any time here.

In Trading Card Therapy Episode 123, Leighton Sheldon welcomes Barry Walner and Justin Hirsch, founder of Rabbit Hole Auctions, to share the unbelievable story behind a signed 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle card that sat quietly in Barry's collection for more than 70 years.As a young boy in the 1950s, Barry mailed baseball cards and magazine photos to his favorite players, hoping to receive their autographs. Decades later, one of those cards—a signed 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle—would emerge as a truly remarkable hobby discovery.Barry and Justin discuss how the collection was rediscovered, the process of authenticating the card through PSA, and why this incredible piece of baseball history is headed to auction. Along the way, they reflect on the innocence of collecting in the 1950s, the friendships built through the hobby, and why the stories behind collectibles can be just as meaningful as the items themselves.Whether you're a vintage card collector, autograph enthusiast, or simply love hearing incredible hobby stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Leighton is always buying collections through his company, Just Collect! Reach out any time for a FREE appraisal.

Derek Grady, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions , joins Leighton on Trading Card Therapy to talk about the state of the hobby with a big focus on the PSA grading pause.

Leighton is always buying collections through his company, Just Collect. If you're interested in selling a collection, reach out for a FREE APPRAISAL!

Thank you to our sponsor, AuctionWire! The best place to find cards you're looking for is at AuctionWire. Use Friend45 for a FREE 45-day trial.

Marc shares how AuctionWire was built to solve a major problem for collectors: keeping track of cards, tickets, autographs, TCG, and other collectibles across dozens of auction houses, marketplaces, and dealer inventories.The episode includes a live demo of AuctionWire’s search tools, universal saved searches, auction calendar, AI-powered recommendations, and upcoming features like universal POP reports through GemRate.

Leighton is always buying collections with his company, Just Collect. Reach out for a FREE APPRAISAL anytime HERE.

On episode 120 of Trading Card Therapy, Leighton sits down with Mike from Junkwax Hero for a wide-ranging hobby conversation. They discuss Mike’s collecting journey, the growth of his YouTube channel, Strongsville’s vintage card show community, iconic pickups, Attic Find stories, the rise of eye appeal stickers, and a nostalgic 1994 SP baseball pack rip.

Leighton is always buying collections with this company, Just Collect! Reach out for a FREE APPRAISAL anytime HERE.

In Episode 119 of Trading Card Therapy, Leighton sit down with Greg from Midlife Cards to dive deep into the real meaning behind the hobby — from childhood memories and family connections to the friendships that span across the country.We talk about:How collecting becomes therapy during life’s toughest moments

The powerful bond between Greg and his father through cards

Why the chase matters more than the card itself

Tips for collecting vintage on a budget

And the surprising truth about grading, value, and what really mattersLeighton is always buying collections with his company, Just Collect! Reach out for a FREE APPRAISAL any time HERE.

Welcome back to Trading Card Therapy! In Episode 118, we take a deep dive into one of the most fascinating and misunderstood areas of the hobby — Star Basketball cards from 1983–1986 (with Michael Jordan) with a good friend of ours, David @high_speed_card_chase.

Leighton is always buying collections through his company, Just Collect! Reach out for a FREE APPRAISAL any time HERE.