The Hobby Experience Newsletter WEEK 2 - Powered by The Grading Club

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Hobby Experience! We’re bringing you the latest updates on grading, special offers, product releases, and what’s happening in the UK card market, along with a preview of upcoming shows you won’t want to miss.

This week we look into:

- Our latest submission pricing
- The new 2023 Topps Chrome Basketball Product
- Upcoming card shows in September
- What products are releasing this week
- Card of the Week (It’s a stunner!)
- Top 3 sport card sales from last week

Submission
Find our latest pricing and special offers below

Our deadline to receive trading cards is this Saturday, 31st August. To submit cards, head to our website www.thegradingclub.co.uk. Here, you can use our pricing calculator to see how much a submission would cost, and it will also tell you when the cards are due to be returned.

Here’s a guide on how to submit cards through the portal if you’ve never done it before.

SPECIAL OFFER

If you are attending the Southampton Card Show on 28th September or the Brighton Football Card Show on 19th October, we have a special offer for you!

If you submit your cards by 31st August, we are utilising the PSA VALUE XL service. This will allow the cards to be back in time for the show. Instead of £45.00 per card, you will only pay £40.00 per card! All you have to do is show us proof of your ticket. We’ve also got a guarantee for you. If the cards don’t arrive in time, you’ll be entitled to one free card submission at the PSA VALUE XL level.

For those who love to submit in bulk, we have a special offer for you too. If you are attending the Brighton Football Card Show and submit before 31st August, you can get bulk pricing as low as £14.50 per card! All you need to do is show us proof of your ticket, and we’ll give you a discount code. 

Eligibility Criteria - For the Brighton Card Show

• You must have a ticket to the show

• Must be Football/Soccer cards or stickers from 1980 to present

• Max value after grading of the card can be no higher than £400

• 20/35 pt cards only (no thick cards 75pt and up)

• 1-9 cards will be £15.50 per card

• 10+ will be £14.50 per card

• Card must be in hand by 31st August

Eligibility Criteria - For the Southampton Card Show

• You must have a ticket to the show

• Can be any sport or Non sport

• Max value after grading of the card can be no higher than £800

• Any type of card thickness

• 1-9 cards will be £15.50 per card

• 10+ will be £14.50 per card

• Cards must be in hand by 31st August

PRODUCT REVIEW
2023/2024 Topps Chrome Basketball - Hobby

Topps Chrome Basketball is back for the 2023/24 season, and it’s causing quite a stir in the hobby community. After a 15-year break, this iconic brand returns, blending nostalgia with modern touches. But before you jump in, let’s break down what this release really offers.

Let’s start with the price. If you’re looking to buy, boxes are going for around £340 on eBay if you’re buying from the US, but here in the UK, expect to pay between £350-450. The pre-orders sold out fast on Topps' official site, which has only driven up the prices on the secondary market. But is it worth the money?

Why It Matters

Topps Chrome Basketball has a significant place in hobby history, making its return for the first time since 2009. This release marks the re-entry of Topps Chrome into the basketball card market after a 14-year break, highlighting Fanatics' growing influence, now that they own Topps. Fanatics is rapidly acquiring key licenses, and this set features the highly anticipated Victor Wembanyama rookie autographs. Wembanyama’s cards are among the most hyped basketball collectibles of this generation, showcasing the impact of Fanatics' expansion in the trading card industry.

The Chase is On

Collectors will love the chase elements in this set. Key inserts like Exposé, Let’s Go!, and Rock Stars are a nod to classic Topps inserts from the ‘90s. These have super short print runs—fewer than 100 copies each—so they’ll be highly sought after. Plus, the Helix insert makes its debut in Topps Chrome Basketball after being a hit in the Baseball series, adding another layer of excitement.

Balancing History and Innovation

Topps has done a great job of balancing the need to honour its past while also introducing new innovations. The design stays true to the classic Chrome look, with those beloved borders and retro designs that long-time collectors will appreciate. But don’t think this is just a rehash of old ideas—new colour parallels and modern design elements ensure this set feels fresh.

Final Thoughts

For those deep in the hobby, the return of Topps Chrome Basketball is a big deal. Sure, the price is on the higher side, but the potential rewards—whether for pure collecting joy or as an investment—are significant. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the scene, drawn in by the Wembanyama hype, this release is definitely one to watch.

CARD SHOWS

Upcoming Card Shows In September

This is not an exhaustive list of all the card shows that may be happening. These are just the ones we’ve attended and found major value from going.

14th September

The Sport Card Social - This show is based in Milton Keynes and is easily accessible from all parts of the country. It boasts over 100 tables and is unique as it’s an all-sports show with no TCG! Head to thesportcard.social on Instagram to find out more. Tickets can be purchased from the link below. Tickets are £9.99.

21st September

The Midland Card Show - Run by a UK hobby legend, this show is a must if you’re in or around the Midlands. It’s a mixture of TCG and sports, and a great show to take the kids to. To find out more, contact Skcardsuk on Instagram. We’ll be here taking in submissions and offering free pre-grades on site. Tickets can be purchased below. Tickets are £6.00, and kids under 16 go free!

28th September

The Southampton Card Show - One of our favourites on the show calendar. Again, a sports-only show with a true collector vibe. Here you’ll frequently see cards being traded and prices being haggled, but the best part about the show is the atmosphere created by the vendors and the attendees. Very welcoming to new collectors and seasoned collectors. Although Southampton may be a bit of a travel for some, once at the venue, the show, the hotels, and the trade night are all within a 30-second walk, so it’s very easy to pitch up for the weekend.

We’ll be here returning cards, taking in submissions, and offering pre-grades. Ticket prices start from £6.00. Contact Cardsails on Instagram to find out more.

PRODUCT RELEASE

Sport and Non Sport product releasing this week

28th August

- Upper Deck Marvel Avengers
- 2023 Topps Chrome Basketball Hobby

30th August

- 2023 Panini Select Football (NFL) Hobby
- Pokemon Dark Powers EX Special Collection
- 2023 Topps Composite Football (NFL) Hobby
- 2024 Topps Pristine Baseball Hobby

AD
The Slab Safe

“Our Sports and Trading Card Cases Feature: Sleek and robust aluminium build Powerful magnetic seal with 12 magnets and 3 dowels UV-resistant tempered glass Stackable design Eight colour options: red, blue, green, gold, silver, orange, black & purple.”

CLICK HERE to purchase now - RRP £16.99 per case.

CARD OF THE WEEK

HIGH VALUE CARDS

Top 3 Sport Card Sales From Last Week

2.

3.

Thank you for being a part of our growing community! We’re thrilled to have you with us on this exciting journey through the world of sports cards. Keep an eye out for next week’s edition, packed with more insights, tips, and offers. And as always, we’re here to help you make the most of your collection – happy collecting!

FEEDBACK

I’d be extremely grateful if you could spare 30 seconds to rate this newsletter. We’re always looking to improve, and our goal is to provide something that you enjoy reading on a weekly basis.