MOST REPUTABLE AUTHENTICATORS (third party):
-THE BIG THREE
James Spence (JSA), Beckett (BAS), PSA (known simply as PSA)
**Witnessed/in the Presence, etc. are the most desirable, 2nd party**
MOST REPUTABLE AUTHENTICATORS (2nd Party):
-Companies known for producing 2nd party authentic autographs
FANATICS and/or MLB (Official Autograph Retailer of MLB), TRISTAR, Steiner, Schwartz, Upper Deck, Signature Rookies, Mounted Memories, Radtke, (more added as remembered lol)
Meh... :
-Some reputability; but less desirable than the BIG 3 (JSA, PSA, BAS)
SGC (Sportscards Guarantee Authentication) this company is pretty reliable but not quite the outreach of PSA/JSA/BAS; buy with a high level of confidence
GA/GAI/Global Authentication (only full confidence on the witnessed items; can be very miss-or-miss/lol as a third-party authenticator, always best to get an expert opinion before buying!)
Honorable Mentions: Treat, Goldin, Hunt's, (reputable auction Houses tend to have good third-party authenticators including JSA)
RED FLAG!!!! STAY AWAY!!!!: Avoid at all costs!
**PAAS: always PASS ON PAAS!**, Superstar Certification, American Collectibles, inpersonauthentics, as well as any ".com" authenticator or vague "AUTHENTIC" hologram sticker
FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS! I HAVE TWO KIDS AND 3 DOGS BUT I PROMISE TO RESPOND ASAP!