NFL Hall of Famers, Retired Legends Ignite 2012 National Treasures Football (Gallery)

For 2012 National Treasures Football to truly be considered the most spectacular release in the brand’s proud, super-premium history (as we’ve said all along that it will be), Panini America Product Developers realized that they needed more than just collection-making Rookie Cards honoring the lights-out 2012 NFL Draft Class. They realized they needed to raise the bar.

Well, consider the bar raised — considerably; not just on National Treasures, but on any high-end football brand that follows the stunning 2012 edition, which will release to the hobby amid improbably high fanfare next Wednesday.

This much is certain: 2012 National Treasures Football includes more on-card autographs than ever before, with NFL Hall of Famers and retired legends constituting a lion’s share (and we’re not talking just Barry Sanders and Herman Moore) of that content. It also includes a breathtaking assortment of memorabilia worn in games by some of the greatest players in NFL history. There are a few other consequential bells and whistles — such as the unique Enshrinement Signatures pull-out autographs and Souvenir Cuts — that are sure to make 2012 National Treasures Football an instant classic.

And in the impressive, legend-focused gallery that follows, we document a little bit of everything (the on-card autographs, the memorabilia, the Enshrinement Signatures and the Souvenir Cuts) that might just make this the most spectacular gallery we’ve ever done — which is fitting for one of the most spectacular football products we’ve ever done.

Enjoy — and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional coverage of 2012 National Treasures Football as Wednesday’s release date draws closer.