From Black Friday to Father’s Day: Enjoying Joe Alaimo’s Panini America Collection

When Rhode Island collector Joe Alaimo first contacted us about his collection of Panini America promotional sets (such as the 2011 and 2012 Black Friday, 2012 Father's Day and 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention sets), his approach was a rather humble one. "Since I read your blog all the time, I figured that you might want to take a look at this little gem of a collection I have going," Alaimo wrote in that initial email.

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When Rhode Island collector Joe Alaimo first contacted us about his collection of Panini America promotional sets (such as the 2011 and 2012 Black Friday, 2012 Father’s Day and 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention sets), his approach was a rather humble one. “Since I read your blog all the time, I figured that you might want to take a look at this little gem of a collection I have going,” Alaimo wrote in that initial email.

Upon deeper inspection, it turns out that there’s absolutely nothing little about Alaimo’s stash. It’s a massive, must-see spectacle filled with pieces of bona fide sports history and fueled by passion. What follows is Alaimo’s story in his own words. After you’ve read it, check out the gallery highlighting just some of the cards in his “little gem of a collection.”

Panini America Personal Collection Spotlight
Who: Joe Alaimo, Cranston, R.I.
What: Panini America Promotional Sets

“You know, I chose the Panini America Black Friday, Father’s Day and National Sports Collectors Convention sets because they not only represented a direct challenge to myself and what I could accomplish as a collector, but to what others could do for people that were collectors also. More than a few people have helped me out along the way in my endeavor, but it has been a lot of painstaking hours. The second reason I chose these sets was a simple one for me: I love the game-used and player-used pieces and in these promotional sets, Panini America absolutely brings it!

“Honestly, I can’t even pick just one or two cards from all the Panini America promotional product I have. A few of my pieces that are my favorites include the Aaron Rodgers game-used Super Bowl XLV pylons, the Kobe Bryant game-worn sneaker pieces and the full NBA logo I’ve completed from the 2011 NBA Finals game-used basketball. I love completing ‘puzzles’ and enjoy watching them as they come together. As far as what I’m still looking for, that would be Pro Bowl autographs from the 2011 Black Friday set and Rodgers pylons. I just scored the Calvin Johnson Pro Bowl 1/1 game-used football and I am souped about that. I’m also working hard on the 2012 Black Friday set because my son got his name from that Super Bowl and it has several different levels of meaning for me.

“I also have the Hakeem Nicks autograph card featuring the a piece of the Lucas Oil Stadium logo from a Super Bowl XLVI game-used football. I’m always looking — every day — for something I don’t have. I currently need Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson in any of the four sets I’m working on, just to have those guys. I also need a RG III Santa hat card. When the collection is so broad like this one, you always need a lot — but I’m up for the challenge and I love you guys over at Panini.

“I continue adding to my collection in an effort to complete it. Eventually, I will get there. When I do, you will see me again.”

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36 Replies to “From Black Friday to Father’s Day: Enjoying Joe Alaimo’s Panini America Collection”

      1. I really like the Pro Bowl cards, and especially the autographed version. The Matt Ryan is an awesome looking card. It’s always nice to see Pro Bowl pieces in a card with the player pictured in his Pro Bowl jersey. The Super Bowl cards are great too. They give collectors a chance to have a piece of sports history.

        Great collection Joe! I love all of those Adrian Peterson cards.

  1. What a monster collection! If Joe needs them, I have the Black Friday Anthony Davis rookie /599 and the Father’s Day Elite Series gold parallel Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall dual 5/5 available for trade. Always looking to help fellow collectors with their ventures! Thanks Tracy!

  2. Thank You Everyone whos commented so far, I need everything you guys listed and would love to work something out with all of you, you guys are awesome collectors. Tracy AWESOME job getting the mess of pictures I sent you together, I know that not everything got covered bu A LOT did! I mean its so sick to see my collection up on Panini’s blog. YOUR THE MAN TRACY! Everyone that has offered to help me please contact me at [email protected], I dont care if I put it out there. Scott Prusha, thank you for the kind words also, it is much appreciated. Wait till you see the next installments!

  3. This is a link to my photobucket for people that wanted to see everythng, I had several emails asking me if I could post it. Theres just no way guys that Tracy could have posted every single thing in this blog LOL. I think it was driving him nuts as it was. KOUDOS to him and the Panini team though. Enjoy everyone!

    http://s600.photobucket.com/albums/tt89/bibby1483/Autographed%20and%20Game%20Used%20Cards
    /Panini%20Black%20Friday%20Nationals%20And%20Fathers%20Day/

    Copy and paste and you should be all set!

  4. Sweet Jesus! Joe, that is an absolutely amazing collection. Couldn’t be more jealous of such an awesome assortment of cool, rare cards. Well done and thanks for sharing!

  5. Okay. Seriously? That is outrageous. I am blown away, awed, seriously impressed and coveting the collection of another. I think that one violates a commandment.
    Amazing collection, thanks for bringing it to us Hackler.

  6. As far as remedying the hockey ummmmmm I will have to put some thought into it guys, I love hockey but have never been a card collector of hockey. Its certainly something I will look into though and see whats available in the sets iam working on.

  7. Joe- Awesome collection. Your dedication to the hobby is inspiring and certainly commendable. Do you have and LCS that you deal with to help you achieve this amazing accomplishment? Being from central MA I don’t have one in my area and I often end up in RI to find quality LCS’. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Actually, truthfully and honestly this was all grunt work, unfortunately my LCS’s do not take part, except for one, in the Black Friday Promotions or Panini Promotions. That is strictly their choice I can’t hold it against them. SO this is literally from hitting the ground running and simply just trying to beat everyone else to it. God Blessed me with some great friends and also has given me the fine fortune of meeting some awesome collectors along the way. Without them, I would not be where iam in this endeavor.

  8. Panini you really should promote this story more! You can see all the hard work put into making these patch cards. People that think anything is just thrown on a card would be in awe looking at this. Great Job collecting and an even better job Panini for putting these cards together!

  9. very, very, very cool collection! I’m sure it cost a small fortune – but it’s worth every penny. Well done!

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