Wrong-Way Rautins? Knicks Rookie Guard Creates Inadvertent Autograph Variations

April 15, 2011

The bold color combinations gracing Andy Rautins’ autographed Rookie Cards in 2010-11 Classics Basketball easily place them among the most aesthetically striking cards on the checklist. But a few of the New York Knicks guard’s RCs have no doubt caused many collectors breaking the product this week to do a double take.

You’re not alone. Many of us inside Panini America HQ had the same reaction when the cards arrived late last month.

It seems Rautins autographed a small percentage of his 699 RCs diagonally across the card-front photo instead of in the designated light-colored signing area near the bottom of the card. The inadvertent “wrong-way” variation is glaring when compared to its “right-signed” counterpart, but it could catch a few impatient pack-busters by surprise.

For what it’s worth, early secondary market activity suggests a slight premium is being placed on the “right-signed” version. Consider this heads-up as a Friday morning CSA (collector service announcement).