Long before Dwight D. Eisenhower was a five-star general in the U.S. Army or the 34th President of the United States, he was a four-star general. And all four of those stars -- quite literally -- are at the heart of four unique trading cards Panini America created for the upcoming 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends set.
Long before Dwight D. Eisenhower was a five-star general in the U.S. Army or the 34th President of the United States, he was a four-star general. And all four of those stars — quite literally — are at the heart of four unique trading cards Panini America created for the upcoming 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends set.
The stars incorporated into the cards — which also include cut signatures from Eisenhower — were taken from Eisenhower’s Army uniform and were donated by Mamie Doud Eisenhower, the former First Lady, almost 40 years ago to a dinner in her late husband’s honor. Panini America acquired the precious metal mementos at auction as part of a framed display that also included a black-and-white photograph of the former president in his uniform and a letter written by Ethel M. Wetzel, Doud Eisenhower’s personal secretary, dated September 9, 1974.
Since the special cards are too thick to fit into packs of 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends, they were inserted via special redemption cards — the only redemptions in the product — that are ready to be fulfilled immediately.
Eisenhower, who died in 1969, served as President from 1953 to 1961, was a five-star general in the Army during World War II and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. Eisenhower is still widely considered one of the greatest U.S. presidents of all time.
We’ve provided a complete gallery of the four spectacular cards below, as well as the photograph and letter that accompanied the original framed piece purchased at auction.
Tomorrow on The Knight’s Lance, we’ll have a closer look at the legendary Tuskegee Airmen cards and autographs included in 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends.
WOW! I would love to have one of those in my collection! With my dad being in the service for 30 years it would make a great add to everything else I have! I true piece of Americana for sure!
OK, this goes way past cool.
Outstanding job Panini. Should do more WW2 Generals!
:O woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow
Fantastic job Panini! I like the backstory here.
How does one go about buying a box of these cards? Are they available directly from Panini?
They will be available at hobby shops nationwide this week. But they’ll also be available in the future on iCollectPanini.com
Amazing stuff as always. You guys just keep getting better and better.
Tracy, this is just stupid cool! One would have to be insane not to buy any of this product.
General of the Army, very few have ever worn that title.
Only thing that would be cooler is if you had that 5th star!
This is cooL!!!
– very nice
This stuff is even cooler than the hockey laces in cards!!! Any drawings or raffles for cards such as these? It’s awesome that Panini was able to get a sweet part of history from an absolutely accomplished president! Can’t wait to try and get some of these relics!
All I can say is…too awesome!
Once again Panini creates a unique card that stands out among others. Is this a design that will be used in the future for other military heroes?
Not sure, but I hope so.
Words cannot express how awesome it is that you guys go to such lengths to get authentic memorabilia from athletes as well as historical figures out there into the hands of us collectors. These cards are just WOW
This deserves a very unique and epic salute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al5bErqFrDQ
(Taken from BBC’s Red Dwarf)
Truly cool. I was looking forward to selling this product before, but now even more so.
Awesome to hear that, Mike. Hope you do well with it.
Truly legendary cards, I’m sure they will drive collectors to their hobby outlets in pursuit of these pieces of American history. Thanks Tracy!
It really fits in with the 9/11 rememberance…. any of these cards being given away?
I am really of 2 minds when it come to truely historical american artifacts like this.
I know its a great way to promote your product while at the same time educating the masses about great americans and giving a few of them a truely unique and very special collectiable card of said americans.
But on the other hand, there’s a part of me that’s uneasy about taking this stuff apart from its original configuration.
Then again, this is America and your right under current laws so I guess it doent really matter how I feel. 😉
Anyway, I’m sure it was all done with class.
Another great one guys.
Just freaking awesome!!!!!!
Those are some awesome cards. I mean a cut signature and a star from his jacket…wow!