Panini America Provides Final Packout Peek at 2011 Preferred Basketball’s Penmanship
Last Friday we leaked the first glorious glimpses of the sublime booklet cards that will drop one per box inside 2011 Preferred Basketball. Frankly, it was one of the most buzz-generating galleries we've done on The Knight's Lance in quite some time. But the one that follows promises to be just as juicy. As you're about to find out, we took…
The Books of Love: Panini America Previews 2011 Preferred Basketball’s Booklet Bliss
This morning, in the far back corner of the Panini America production facility (to the left of all the heavy machinery that prints, cuts, stamps, shrink wraps and otherwise wows me every single time I go), I watched as our NBA brand managers, Keith Hower and Wes Elliott, put the finishing touches on the hand-collation process for 2011 Preferred Basketball. OK,…
Parting Shots: Panini America’s Preferred NBA Autograph Tour Comes to a Close
For most of the last month, Panini America NBA acquisitions maven Ivory Tabb has been on the road in one NBA city or another tracking down as many on-card autographs as possible for the upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball. Along the way, the road-weary Tabb has regaled us with entertaining behind-the-scenes insight from some of the top stars in the game.…
More Tales from the Road: Still in Pursuit of 2011 Preferred Basketball Autographs
A few weeks ago we brought you some great behind-the-scenes insight from Panini America NBA acquisitions specialist Ivory Tabb, who's been traveling the country in dogged pursuit of every last autograph slated for the upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball release. In her first installment, Tabb shared just some of the highlights from her signing-session encounters with the likes of John Wall, Kevin…
Hoop Dreams: Peeking Two Weeks Worth of Panini America Basketball Auto Arrivals
Man, you miss two weeks in the office around Panini America and you miss a lot. After being on the road for 10 straight days at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa and Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, I returned to HQ this morning to find a waiting treasure trove of jaw-dropping autographs recently returned for upcoming Panini America…
Tales from the Road: The Endless Pursuit of 2011 Preferred Basketball Autographs
Panini America NBA acquisitions specialist Ivory Tabb has been a busy lady as of late, trotting the globe from one NBA city to the next, doggedly pursuing -- and securing -- on-card autographs from the best players in the league for the upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball release. Her results over the last two weeks have been nothing short of remarkable,…
Pieces de Resistance: Turning Kobe Bryant’s Game-Worn Jersey into Classic Collectibles
Earlier this week we detailed the West Coast road trip of Panini America's Brian Bayne as he attempted to secure on-card autographs from the likes of Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe for the upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball release. As is his custom, Bayne went above and beyond the call of duty. In this case, that meant extending his stay by…
Blake Griffin Gets the Preferred Treatment in Weekend Panini America Signing
While Panini America acquisitions specialist Ivory Tabb kicked off her cross-country 2011 Preferred Basketball signing spree right here in Dallas, Panini Authentic's Brian Bayne headed west to Los Angeles for some superstar signing sessions on his own. First on his guest list: The incomparable Blake Griffin, a Panini America-exclusive athlete, and teammate Eric Bledsoe. We've heard rumors that Bayne might…
Raising the Bar: Panini America Previews 2011 Preferred Basketball’s Silhouettes
Panini America spent most of this week previewing the throwback brilliance of 2011 Preferred Basketball's Panini's Choice and Crown Royale die-cut inclusions. But today, the company plans to raise the bar -- and collector expectations -- even more with the first extended look at the set's stunning Silhouettes. The absolutely beautiful die-cut, prime-piece memorabilia cards that collectors fell in love…
Panini America’s 2011 Preferred Basketball Peekapalooza Continues with New Images
Yesterday we shared with you images of the first live cards from Panini America's upcoming 2011 Preferred Basketball set. The scenes yesterday captured just a small portion of the Panini's Choice and Crown Royale base and parallel cards that will soon be crossing the country with acquisitions guru Ivory Tabb in pursuit of on-card signatures from the NBA's greatest current…