Introduction
Sports Premium Memorabilia, more commonly known as SP Authentic, is a company that produces high-end sports trading cards and memorabilia. Founded in 1988, SP Authentic takes an authentic approach to their trading card products by using game-used memorabilia, on-card autographs, unique parallels and serial numbering. Their focus on premium content has made SP Authentic baseball cards highly sought after by serious collectors.
History of SP Authentic Baseball Cards
SP Authentic released their first baseball card set in 1989 called Preferred Stock. The set featured true on-card autographs of major league players encapsulated on the front of the card between a plastic sleeve. This was a novel approach that helped establish SP Authentic as a leader in premium memorabilia cards.
In the 1990s, SP Authentic released several notable baseball sets each year that incorporated game-used memorabilia. Their 1993 Diamond Kings set included pieces of bats or uniform material embedded in the front of the card. Later sets in the 90s like Signature Artists and Rookie Autographs included autographs, rookie cards and varied memorabilia inclusions. SP Authentic also released sets focused on popular players like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry Bonds during this decade.
2000s-Present
Into the new millennium, SP Authentic continued innovating memorabilia baseball cards. Examples include their 2000 Millennium Collection which had quad-material cards containing four game-used pieces. Their prestigious 2002 Legends of the Fall set paid tribute to baseball history with cards that featured mementos from the player’s career. Serial-numbered parallels also became more prevalent in SP Authentic releases, adding another layer of rarity.
From 2010 onwards, SP Authentic has released high-end sets each year that integrate various memorabilia relics. Notable recent releases include Cuts from 2012 with swatches of uniforms, Diamond Anniversary from 2014 featuring 35th anniversary logoman patches, and Inception from 2016 including rare rookie season materials. SP Authentic has also produced special issue numbered editions for big events like the MLB All-Star Game and World Series.
Memorabilia Inclusions
One of the hallmarks of SP Authentic baseball cards is the authentic game-used memorabilia integrated into each card’s design. Common memorabilia inclusions from over the years include:
Bat wood or bat knob pieces
Uniform material swatches (jersey, pants, hat)
Dirt or grass from home plate
Game-used batting gloves
Base fragments
Dugout pieces
Equipment fragments (cups, batting helmets)
Signed or game-used inserts
The specific memorabilia used is verified by SP Authentic and selected based on significant seasons or milestones from each player’s career. Cards frequently highlight rookie seasons or career achievements. Memorabilia inclusions are professionally mounted or embedded to preserve the authentic game relic.
Autographs and Parallels
On-card autographs are another sought-after aspect of SP Authentic cards. Beginning with the original Preferred Stock release, true autographed cards have been a staple. Autographs are obtained either through promotional or fan signing events.
To add scarcity, SP Authentic produces parallels or variations of their base card designs. Common parallels include gold, silver, black, red and auto-parallel versions limited to less than 10 or 25 copies. Serial numbering is typically indicated on these rare pieces to verify their limited production. 1/1 printing plates or memorabilia autograph cards offer the ultimate exclusivity.
Collector Market and Valuation
The premier nature of authentic memorabilia and autographs within SP Authentic baseball cards has made them highly valuable to collectors over the decades. Rarer commemorative releases from the 1990s regularly sell for thousands in auctions depending on the player, relic and condition.
Modern SP Authentic cards hold value due to their limited print runs. Popular young stars can see significant increases in secondary market prices as their careers progress. Rookie cards paralleled with important game-worn treasures become especially prized long term investments. Even base SP Authentic cards from recent high-quality releases maintain a premium over regular trading cards in the marketplace.
Grading and Authentication
To ensure confidence in condition and authenticity, SP Authentic cards are ideally sent to professional third party authentication and grading services like PSA, BGS or SGC. Receiving a high numerical grade verifies not only appearance but also confirms the memorabilia components are properly associated with the specific player featured on the card. This brings additional credibility and value for collecting or selling high-end SP Authentic pieces.
Conclusion
Over three decades, SP Authentic has distinguished themselves in the memorabilia marketplace by producing the highest quality, most authentic baseball cards through their innovative integration of game-used memorabilia, on-card autographs and parallel insertions. Their dedication to premium content featuring officially licensed players has captured the imaginations of collectors worldwide and made SP Authentic memorabilia cards widely respected as sports collectibles investments. Their proven history of innovation promises more compelling releases that will keep their brand synonymous with high-end baseball card collecting for years to come.
