Plates & Patches: Panini America Peeks Key Hits from 2012-13 National Treasures

Collectors, the time has arrived. After almost two seasons away, National Treasures Basketball — one of the most storied super-premium products in hobby history — is making its celebrated return to the hardwood next Wednesday. And The Knight’s Lance is locked, loaded and ready to do its part to preview the juggernaut like only it can.

So beginning today, we’re going to launch an unflinching series of preview galleries, a full-court press featuring coast-to-coast displays of the single greatest cards produced for inclusion in 2012-13 National Treasures Basketball — beginning with this particular showcase of the set’s one-of-one Printing Plates and filthy-fabulous prime memorabilia cards.

By now, hardcore collectors have come to expect the most majestic memorabilia cards imaginable from National Treasures, and as you’ll see in a moment, this year’s edition comes through with flying (multi)colors. What might surprise you about 2012-13 National Treasures Basketball, however, is the addition of rare 1/1 Printing Plates that fall at least one per box (with most boxes delivering two).

Let’s pause for a few seconds to let that sink in . . .

Panini America officials have culled the printing plates used to create several 2012-13 releases (including National Treasures, Totally Certified, Preferred, Crusade, Gold Standard, Select and the Kobe Anthology set) to develop an impressive Printing Plate checklist. What’s more, the company also reached back into its archives to include plates from the landmark 2009-10 National Treasures Basketball release.

So under that backdrop, we now begin in earnest our no-holds-barred barrage of NT eye candy. Trust us, there are more galleries to come — and soon. So stay tuned.