Video: Panini America Takes Ryan Kesler’s Game-Used Stick from the Ice to the Insert
Seven months ago today, Panini America's Alex Carbajal and Tracy Hackler embarked on a most fascinating voyage. The objective? Document every painstaking step required to transform one game-used hockey stick from Vancouver Canucks superstar Ryn Kesler into a rare handful of unique trading cards. The journey began in late February with the short drive from Panini America HQ to Dallas'…
PPI Special Report: Early Earnings Strong for 2011-12 Limited Basketball (Gallery)
To say the Panini America NBA Product Development team has been busy is an understatement. NBA Brand Managers David Porter and Keith Hower have put together a downright stellar run of NBA releases through the first half of 2012. Earlier this year, we brought you a PPI Special Report on 2011-12 Panini Preferred Basketball and the enormous dollars its cards…
PPI Special Report: NBA Hoops Autograph SPs Set Off Post-Fourth Fireworks
It's been awhile since the Panini Price Index has made an appearance. Since our last report, there has been considerable buzz surrounding the announcement of short print autographs in 2011-12 NBA Hoops Basketball. In fact, some of the SP Autos are fetching considerable dollars on the secondary market prompting a very special edition of the PPI. Along with a list…
Feel-Good Story: The Tangible Difference of 2011-12 Past & Present Basketball (Gallery)
Remember last weekend, when The Knight's Lance previewed digital images of the captivating Fireworks and Raining 3s inserts that will begin packing out inside Panini America's 2011-12 Past & Present Basketball early next week? At the time, I was grasping for ways to describe the planned uniqueness of these two sets, using phrases like "wow-factor printing technology," "high-gloss, spot-UV," "raised relief"…
PPI Special Report: Skyrocketing Values of Key 2011 Panini Preferred Basketball Cards
Last week we brought the first of what's sure to be many fun-filled segments of what we call the Weekly Panini Price Index (PPI for short). As this segment continues to evolve, we couldn't help but turn your attention to the astronomical dollar values that 2011-12 Panini Preferred Basketball continue to yield after only a few short weeks on the market. At $200 per box,…
Prime Examples: Panini America Previews More Gems from 2011 Prime Cuts Baseball
If you thought last week's exclusive reveal of 2011 Prime Cuts Baseball was something special, well, you'd be right. But you haven't seen anything yet. Today, we continue our extended unveiling of Panini America's high-end, Hall of Fame-worthy MLBPA-licensed beauty that begins packing out in earnest this week. The following ensemble -- filled with some of the most beautifully designed,…
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…
A Memo to Readers of “The Knight’s Lance:” Your 2011-12 NBA Hoops Insert Set is Ready
It started way back in April, almost 10 months ago, with a simple post: "Collectors' Choice: You Make the Call for a Special Insert in 2011-12 Hoops Basketball." It was a post spurred by Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter, who asked whether or not readers of "The Knight's Lance" might be interested in selecting an insert set for the…
Video & Gallery: Panini America Production Line Confidential with 2011-12 NBA Hoops
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpgZeswIuYk&w=590&h=330] Last Friday we tipped the weekend off right with a smashing sneak peek at 2011-12 NBA Hoops Basketball and promised an expanded examination of the first NBA card set since last September's release of 2010-11 Elite Black Box. Today we make good on that promise. Above you'll find a splendid and revealing video shot Friday at the Panini…
Massive Gallery: On Location at Packout for 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball
OK, so yesterday wasn't officially "Take Your Kids to Work Day" at Panini America. But when duty calls, even during the holiday break, you drop what you're doing and go. So I packed both Hackler boys with me for the serendipitous sojourn to the Panini America production facility to take in the packout process for 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition…