Sign of Things to Come: Peeking New Autos for 2011 Prime Cuts & Limited Baseball
Over the last few weeks we've shared just some of the highlights from Panini America's great "Spring Training Autograph Tour of 2012," compliments of Acquisitions Manager Tone Stakes as he makes the rounds in Florida and Arizona. In previous dispatches, Stakes has shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes, images of the players signing and even a few card sneak peeks. But today, we're…
On the Road Again: Panini America's Great Spring Training Signature Tour of 2012
While young folks across the country are descending upon comparably exotic locales this week in the name of spring break, Panini America Baseball Acquisitions Manager Tone Stakes his own dream trip right now -- and he's getting paid for it. Stakes, you see, is up to his elbows in sun, swings and signatures, tracking the best players in the game on…
“The Admiral” Returns to Command a Retro Revolution in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball
There's a retro revolution coming later this month with the heavily anticipated release of Panini America's 2011-12 Hoops Basketball, and the man leading the charge is the same giant who ignited the original Hoops craze -- and revitalized the entire modern basketball card market -- way back in 1989-90: David Robinson. The San Antonio Spurs' legendary "Admiral" created industry-wide shock…
Details are Sketchy: Panini America Unveils One More Surprise for the 2011 National
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The hits keep coming for Panini America wrapper redeemers at the 2011 National Sports Collectors Convention. And in this case, the hits are hand-drawn works of art from some of the top rookies in the NFL. And while we could talk all day about the small number of original 2011 NFL Rookie Sketch Cards randomly inserted inside the company's wrapper-redemption program, we…
Panini Unwrapped Special Edition: Newest Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk
It's not every day you find out that a true-to-life NHL legend will soon be in your midst. So when Panini America NHL acquisitions specialist Alex Carbajal told me last Friday morning that three-time Stanley Cup champion Joe Nieuwendyk was coming into the office later that afternoon to sign some of his autographed cards, I did what anyone in my position would do: I picked my…
Timeless Treasures: Must-See Memorabilia Arrives at Panini America Headquarters
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xABDaOvahIg&w=585&h=363] A few weeks ago we broke the news that Timeless Treasures would be introduced as an NFL brand for the first time ever in 2011. One of the highlights of that announcement was the fact that the product will feature several game-worn memorabilia insert sets that tie specific jerseys to the actual games they were worn. On Friday, the first batch of jerseys slotted…
The Drool Gallery: More On-Card Eye Candy Coming to National Treasures & Dominion
I just can't get enough. I need more emails from Rosalinda Rios. I crave them. I hold my breath for them. I . . . can't . . . go . . . on . . . without . . . them. Especially this time of year, when Rios' daily "Autos in House" notifications are filled with on-card breath-takers slated for inclusion in huge late-summer blockbusters 2010-11 National Treasures…
Legendary Pens Announcer Mike Lange Defies Description with His Inscriptions
There's likely not a more distinctive voice in the NHL than the one belonging to legendary Pittsburgh Penguins announcer Mike Lange. His unique "Lange-isms" have regaled Pens fans for more than 30 years and are at least partially responsible for him receiving the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. Luckily for collectors, Lange used a pen…
The 2010 Playoff Contenders Football SP Reveal: Rookie Ink, Tebow Variations
As if last week's barrage of 2010 Playoff Contenders Football quantity revelations wasn't enough, we return to kick off a new week with the pertinent numbers on two other hotly chased elements of the product: The all-on-card Rookie Ink autographs and the Tim Tebow Rookie Ticket and Rookie Ink inscription variations. First, the short and sweet: Every player in the Rookie Ink insert signed 50…
An Interview (and Autograph Signing) with Washington Wizards Superstar John Wall
Just hours before delivering another signature, stat-sheet-stuffing performance Monday night in a 102-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks (17 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, one steal), Washington Wizards rookie superstar John Wall was tucked away in the lobby of a posh Dallas hotel leaving his mark in other ways. Like, indelibly, with the smooth strokes of his Staedtler-clutching right hand…