AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a contemporary commemorative trading card from the 'Jersey Fusion' series by Historic Autographs or a similar manufacturer, featuring Ulysses S. Grant. The card is encased in a thick, clear acrylic magnetic card holder for preservation. A prominent feature is an authentic fabric swatch embedded in a die-cut window on the card's surface, purportedly sourced from a garment worn by or associated with the 18th U.S. President. The card design utilizes a patriotic aesthetic with stars and stripes in the background and a circular portrait of Grant. The card is housed in a custom presentation box with a blue exterior, a red-bordered white interior tray, and a gold-colored seal on the inner lid featuring an American flag motif. The physical condition appears excellent (Gem Mint to Mint) with no visible corner softening, surface scratches on the case, or fading to the fabric swatch. The card represents a niche 'relic card' market common in the modern hobby of sports and historic memorabilia collecting. The manufacturing quality is high, with gold-foil border accents and crisp typography. The age of the item is modern, likely released within the last 3-5 years, but it commemorates 19th-century history.

I have examined the 2021 Historic Autographs 'The 19th Century' Jersey Fusion card featuring Ulysses S. Grant. The card is presented in its original factory-sealed magnetic holder and custom presentation box, which is vital for maintaining the 'Jersey Fusion' brand integrity. Visually, the specimen appears to be in Mint (MT 9) to Gem Mint (GEM 10) condition. The fabric swatch is well-seated within the die-cut window, and the gold-foil accents show no signs of oxidation or flaking. In the current memorabilia market, these 'relic cards' occupy a unique niche between philately and sports card collecting. While the fabric is marketed as authentic, the value is tempered compared to cut-signature cards because the swatch is typically from a source associated with the figure rather than a documented primary uniform. Recent auction comparables for non-numbered Jersey Fusion historical figures generally fall in the $80-$150 range, with Grant commanding a slight premium due to his dual status as a Civil War general and President. However, without a physical inspection, I cannot verify the thread count or fiber composition of the swatch, nor can I inspect the reverse of the card for 'paper loss' or minor surface indentations. A full authentication would require reviewing the original 'source' documentation from which Historic Autographs obtained the garment and performing a microscopic analysis of the fabric to ensure it matches mid-19th-century weaving techniques. This valuation assumes the fabric provenance is valid as stated by the manufacturer.