Heroes and Legends: World Cup Champions Also Winning in the Trading Card Arena

Hobby historians likely will forever remember Panini America's 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends release as one of the most eclectic trading card products ever made, what with its checklist full of politicians, presidents, astronauts, Medal of Honor recipients, fighter pilots, Olympians and more. But that set also includes an extensive tribute to the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, too --…

The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends (Part 2)

On Sunday we showcased just some of the many historic inclusions within Panini America's upcoming release of 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends. Today, we're back with a whole new batch of gems from a unique set that pays tribute to Olympians, war heroes, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, astronauts, presidents and American war heroes. Highlighting today's gallery are autograph…

The Panini America Quality Control Gallery: 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends (Part 1)

Perched quietly and patiently in the back there, perhaps disguised by the considerable buzz of recent Panini America sports releases such as 2012 Prime Hockey, 2012 Rookies & Stars Football and 2012-13 NBA Hoops Basketball, sits the upcoming 2012 Americana Heroes & Legends, an eclectic, history-soaked tribute to Olympians, astronauts, presidents, Medal of Honor recipients and so much more. Late Friday…

Aftermath: One Week Later, Panini America Father’s Day Cards Generating Big Bucks

One week ago today, hobby shops across the country were filled with a Father's Day buzz the likes of which the collectibles industry has rarely, if ever, seen before. The subsequent social media buzz created by the countless Tweet-worthy pulls, collection-making cornerstones and memorable moments from the rousing Panini America Father's Day promotion is still going strong today. It doesn't…

Panini America Peeks Scarce “Cracked Ice” Parallels in Upcoming Father’s Day Set

Out of all the images we previewed yesterday from Panini America's upcoming Father's Day promotion set, perhaps none created as much buzz from a pure wow-factor technology perspective than the mesmerizing "Cracked Ice" parallels. Without question, the hypnotic, fractured-foil effects of the Robert Griffin III and Tim Tebow cards in Friday's gallery struck a collecting chord that reinforced the unparalleled nature…

The Surging Collectibility of U.S. Women’s Soccer Stars Hope Solo and Abby Wambach

American soccer sweethearts Hope Solo and Abby Wambach are about to lead the United States women’s national soccer team into the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final against Japan looking to claim the country’s third World Cup crown and first since 1999. But regardless of what happens today in Germany, it’s safe to say that the stars of the U.S. team have already…