Heritage Auctions has announced that Derek Grady has joined the company as Vice President of Sports Auctions. Derek will assist with management of day-to-day operations of the Sports Collectibles department and utilize his extensive background in the trading card field to expand the breadth and quality of the sports offerings.
“Derek is one of the most respected experts in the trading card hobby,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Sports. “For many top collectors, his seal of approval is a pre-requisite for any major purchase. We’re very pleased to bring that expertise to our staff.”
Derek’s professional career in the trading cards market began as an 18-year-old college freshman when he opened a sports card shop in his hometown if Johnstown, PA. After earning his BA from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, he joined Sportscard Guaranty (SGC) in 1998 as a professional grader, later transitioning to lead trading card expert within a major auction house in 2003. During this period, Derek was instrumental in the assembly of some of the hobby’s foremost trading card collections.
Derek rejoined SGC as Vice President Director of Grading in 2008, a position he held until accepting his current role at Heritage.
“I’m thrilled to join the staff of the hobby’s leading auctioneer,” said Grady. “My favorite aspect of being a vintage card expert has always been working with hobbyists to build quality collections, and the size and strength of Heritage assures that I’ll have every opportunity to do just that.”
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