This is one of those stories that almost doesn’t feel real when I look back on it. We actually documented the entire experience as it was happening, so if you’d rather watch it play out in real time, you can do that here: FULL VIDEO But for me, it started the way a lot of meaningful things in my life seem to start. Not with a grand plan, but with a quiet moment at home and a comment from my wife. Aimee was the first to notice it. Luke Combs had launched his own card collectin

We loaded up and made the drive down to West Lafayette with a clear goal in mind. Spend time with one of college basketball’s best point guards in NCAA history and deliver something truly personal. What unfolded at Mackey Arena exceeded every expectation we had. There is something special about stepping into Mackey. The history, the energy, the echoes of past games all seem to live in the walls. It felt only fitting that our time with Purdue point guard Braden Smith took pla

Some days in this hobby feel routine. Others feel like something out of a childhood dream. The day Herman Moore came over to the Cardistry Cave was the latter. For anyone who grew up watching football in the 90s, Herman Moore was larger than life. A Detroit Lions legend. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro. The kind of player you remember not just for the stats, but for how he made you feel watching the game. So when we started talking about him coming ov

Every once in a while, an email crosses your desk that reminds you just how special this hobby really is. Earlier this year, we were approached by a woman who had inherited a full pair of game-used Babe Ruth Yankees pants from her father . Not a replica. Not a swatch from a trading card. The real thing. The whole enchilada from the Sultan of Swat, the King of Crash, The Colossus of Clout... The Colossus of Clout! Shut up, Tommy. Items like this are not just collectibles. They

There is a difference between doing a project for someone and building something with them. Our affiliate relationships are not one-off autograph signings or temporary collaborations. They are long-term relationships with high-level athletes, teams, agencies, and organizations who trust us to help tell their story through meaningful collectibles. Athletes like Herman Moore , Evan Longoria , Blake Grupe , and Manager Pat Murphy are not just names attached to projects. They re

There are moments when I pause and reflect on what Reclaim Customs has become, and it genuinely humbles me. When I first started this journey, I simply wanted to create meaningful, one-of-one custom pieces that honored athletes, history, and the stories that make this hobby special. I never imagined that it would grow into what it is today. I certainly never envisioned working with All-Pro and Hall-of-Fame athletes, professional teams, the number one gaming company in the wor

The memorabilia and trading card hobby has entered a new era. What was once dominated by local card shows and collector-to-collector deals is now increasingly driven by major auction houses that bring global visibility, premium presentation, and record-breaking price discovery. It is also worth noting that the auction marketplace is much larger than just these three names. There are many outstanding auction houses and platforms doing excellent work in the trading card and mem

The way we collect rarely stays the same. It evolves with our lives, our resources, our priorities, and our understanding of what really matters to us. Looking back over the last five years, and really over my entire collecting life, I can see a clear shift. Not just in what I collect, but in why I collect. This is the story of how my collection changed, and how the hobby slowly taught me to let passion lead instead of hype. Where It All Started Like a lot of collectors, my

The collectibles hobby is no stranger to evolution. Over the decades, it has shifted from neighborhood card shops and shoe-box collections to global auction houses and seven-figure sales. But today, the pace of change feels different — faster, heavier, and more capital-driven than ever before. Two forces in particular are reshaping the landscape: fractional ownership of elite memorabilia and corporate consolidation across licensing, grading, and marketplaces . Together, they

At its highest level, collecting has never been about objects alone. It has always been about stories . The artifact is simply the vessel. What truly gives a piece weight, meaning, and lasting value is its provenance — the documented, verifiable story of where it came from, who touched it, and why it matters. Provenance is the quiet force that separates ordinary collectibles from historic artifacts. It places a moment in time, anchors it to a place, and ties it to real human

A thoughtful look at scarcity, storytelling, and why custom cards create deeper personal connections than mass-produced parallels. Collectors know the feeling — that electric moment when you pull or acquire a one-of-one card. It’s not just cardboard or ink. It’s the idea that this is the only one on Earth. Nothing else exists quite like it, and nothing else ever will. This emotional response isn’t accidental. It’s deeply rooted in human psychology, tied to rarity, ownership

The trading card and memorabilia hobby is undergoing a significant structural shift. In December 2025, Collectors — the parent company of the industry’s largest grader, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) — announced an agreement to acquire another major grading authority, Beckett Authentication and Grading Services . Yahoo Sports Collectors already owns PSA and, through previous acquisitions, SGC and others, meaning the company now controls multiple pillars of the gradin

In a hobby filled with nostalgia, excitement, and big-ticket headlines, it’s easy to confuse value with rarity — and even easier to confuse rarity with perceived rarity . The trading card and memorabilia market has thrived for decades on this dynamic. But as the hobby evolves, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what rarity really means, how it shapes collecting behavior, and how intentional choices can lead to a collection with more meaning, depth, and long-term satis

Commissioning a custom card is one of the most rewarding experiences in the hobby. Whether you’re creating something deeply personal for your personal collection (PC) or crafting a unique, high-end piece to flip for profit , the process allows you to blend creativity, authenticity, and storytelling into one incredible collectible. At Reclaim Customs , we specialize in turning your ideas — and sometimes your existing memorabilia — into works of art that feel just as valuable

At Reclaim Customs , every project we create is built on two things — your story and our craftsmanship. Whether you’re transforming an autograph, reclaiming a relic, or envisioning a one-of-a-kind custom piece, the process is designed to be personal, transparent, and exciting from start to finish. Here’s how it all works. Step 1: Start with the Basics Before jumping straight into a project, we recommend you visit our FAQ page . It’s the best place to get familiar with our pri

For collectors and hobbyists who appreciate the fusion of fine art and authentic memorabilia, few things are as exciting as seeing their custom piece encased, authenticated, and recognized by one of the industry’s most respected names — Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) . Reclaim Customs is proud to partner with Beckett to offer a special Pedigree Label Service , allowing our name — Reclaim Customs — to appear directly on Beckett’s authentication labels. This collaborat

In the hobby world, value is rarely static. It moves with narratives, performance, sentiment — and, quite often, the calendar. A card or piece of memorabilia that’s hot during the season can soften a bit in the off-season; vintage cards and retired players’ items also ride those waves, though often less sharply. Understanding these patterns gives collectors a strategic edge. Let’s dig into how seasonal cycles affect perception and price — how buying during “quiet time” can be

The trading card and memorabilia hobby is in the middle of a historic surge. Record-breaking auction sales, mainstream attention, and the...

The trading card and memorabilia hobby is more than ink, cardboard, and fabric — it’s a living story. It’s history, it’s culture, and...

In the collectibles world, “slabbing” a card (i.e. putting it into a sealed plastic holder with a graded label) is often viewed as the...