2008 Upper Deck SP Authentic B.J. Upton By The Letter Signatures Patch Auto /30
B.J. Upton (Melvin Upton Jr.) · Upper Deck (SP Authentic) · Autograph, Relic, Serial Numbered
Player
B.J. Upton (Melvin Upton Jr.)
Set
2008 Upper Deck SP Authentic By The Letter Signatures
Year
2008
Card #
N/A - Letter 'O'
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) or BGS 7.5 due to edge wear and surface fading
Category
Autograph, Relic, Serial Numbered
Manufacturer
Upper Deck (SP Authentic)
Demand Level
Moderate - Primarily sought by Tampa Bay Rays team collectors, 'By The Letter' set builders, or Upton player completists.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$40 - $70
Graded Value
PSA 7: $60-$85, PSA 8: $100-$130, PSA 9: $180-$220
Comparable Sales
Recent similar B.J. Upton 'By The Letter' cards or low-numbered SP Authentic autos have sold between $35 and $75 depending on the complexity of the patch. Full nameplate sets (UPTON) command a premium, but single letters are stable.
Description
Exquisite 2008 SP Authentic B.J. Upton By The Letter Signatures card. This premium offering features a massive game-worn jersey nameplate 'O' patch with an on-patch silver ink autograph. The card is hand-numbered 29/30 on the front left. It showcases the Tampa Bay Rays outfielder in a classic batting pose, framed by gold foil borders and the 'By The Letter' vertical text.
Key Features
Game-used nameplate letter patch; On-patch silver ink autograph; Low serial numbering (/30); Popular 'By The Letter' chase set which allows collectors to spell out player names; 2008 Rays World Series year relevance.
Authenticity Indicators
Upper Deck holographic seal on back (not pictured but standard); High-quality gold foil stamping; Correct texture on the tackle twill jersey letter; On-patch ink absorption is consistent with 2008 production. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Significant whitening on the bottom edges and corners; Minor chipping on the navy blue border areas; The silver ink signature shows noticeable fading/streaking on the fabric surface; Common manufacturing issues with thick card stock include slight corner softening.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (Auction or Bin), COMC, or Tampa Bay Rays fan groups on Facebook. eBay is the best platform for maximizing visibility for specific letter-patch collectors.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the condition issues (edge wear and faded ink) will result in a low technical grade that might hurt value more than help. Sell raw with high-resolution photos. Use keywords: 'Game Used', 'Patch Auto', 'Rays', 'Nameplate'. Ensure it is shipped in a thick 100pt+ magnetic holder or top loader.