MORE Murderer Trading Cards

More Photos From The 2018 National + Cool Idea!

I can only speak for myself, but the 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention has got to be one of the best shows I’ve ever attended.  According to the National, it had the best attendance they’ve seen in the last twelve years.  PSA also mentioned that they had a record number of submissions during the show too.  Records were being broken all over the place.  It was quite the spectacle to see.

Cleveland continues to be my favorite location.  I’ve been to seven Nationals, and four of them have been at the I-X Center.  Its easy to get to, not in the city, and I usually can park near the entrance.  The National takes place in Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center next year July 31 to August 4, 2019.  As much as I enjoy the National, I don’t plan on going to Chicago.  I hate to miss it, but I do not enjoy the process of flying or driving twelve hours.  The next National I’m looking to attend is in Atlantic City in 2020.  I was there in 2016, and things worked out fairly well.  Given the attendance seen this year, once the Atlantic City show is over I wouldn’t be surprised if it just alternates between Chicago and Cleveland for awhile.

In my opinion, Leaf and Topps had the superior wrapper redemption programs.  I did nothing with Upper Deck or Panini.  Topps does a nice job with their exclusive Bowman Chrome refractors.  Leaf had a huge hit with their 2018 In The Game Used Sports boxes.  At the show, these were selling for $160-$165 per box.  Now they go for $270.  The Leaf Originals Metal promos that you’d receive for opening boxes at their booth have also gained a lot of traction on the secondary market.

I have a cool idea.  Wouldn’t it be fun to see a remote controlled blimp flying around the National?  I’ve seen them before at hockey games randomly dropping coupons.  It could fly over the crowd and drop packs to sports collectors below.  Each day a different manufacturer could sponsor the packs being dropped.  Who wouldn’t want some exclusive blimp parallels?  How about mounting a camera on it too?  I bet it would even have it’s own Twitter account.  I can see this idea really “taking off”.

Although the National has been over for a month, I’d like to share some photos I didn’t post on my Day #1, Day #2, and Day #3 coverage.  There are a few aerial shots.  Pictures like that always remind me of Where’s Waldo.  You never know what you might see.  Who knows?  You could be in there.

Bill Belichick 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI Game-Worn Headset.  You can hear everything with this.  I mean EVERYTHING.

Rob Bertrand of Go GTS Live handing out prizes.

Behind the TRISTAR curtain.

Less Is Truly More When It Comes To 2012 Prime Signatures

Hypothetically speaking, if Panini were a character from Batman’s world, I think they would make a good Two-Face.  Some of their products look like cookie cutter brands from year to year, but then they bring out a product like Prime Signatures which looks amazing.  Its almost like they have dual design team disorder.

The on-card autographs found in Prime Signatures are some of the nicest cards Panini has released, along with those silhouette autographed patches found in Crown Royale.  Less is truly more when it comes to Prime Signatures.  Just by looking at them, you can tell they aren’t overly designed.  They basically let the photo and signature do all the work.  I love the use of white when it comes to card design.  It doesn’t always have to be white either.  Sticking with mainly one color for the overall design can work well too.  Just watch out for those dreaded white boxes if the background isn’t all white.

The Rookie Extreme Prime Materials Jumbo cards contain the perfect sized patch along with an on-card signature.  Not every card will be hard signed.  There will be plenty of stickers, but at least the backgrounds are white and they won’t stick out like a sore thumb.  I’m hoping 2012 Prime Signatures is printed on thick card stock again.

Even More Strata Football Images

Here are some more images of 2012 Topps Strata Football.  Its scheduled to be released in October.  Each box will contain (1) Clear Cut Auto Relic, (1) Rookie Auto, (1) Rookie Relic, and (1) Rookie Die-Cut.

It slices, it dices, and it can even bring home the bacon.  All you need to do is SET IT AND FORGET IT!  The Rivet Patch parallels #’ed/5 will be able to fan out.

More 1/1 Sportkings Series E Art Cards from Jared Kelley + Other News

Here are some new pictures of the Jared Kelley 1/1 Art Cards that can be found within Sportkings Series E.  I know there are only a few Griffey, Jr collectors out there, and I doubt that any of them would be interested in this gorgeous piece of work.  Just kidding 🙂  Griffey, Jr collectors will go nuts over it.  These are case “hits” along with the cut signatures and Spectacular Patches.  I hope it doesn’t take too long for the Harry Kalas cut signature to surface.

In other news, the Leigh Valley Iron Pigs will be giving away miniature replica Harry Kalas statues on 5/3/12, and the Reading Phillies will be giving away a new Harry Kalas talking bobblehead on 8/27/12.  Last night I purchased a new packet of penny sleeves and a box of 2011 Leaf Pete Rose Legacy.  I hope I pull that card that says I’ve won a batting lesson from Pete Rose.  I’d probably sell it to pay for all this new Harry Kalas stuff that’s coming out.

More Sportkings Series E Images

Sportkings offered up a few more sneak peak images of Series E which is on time to release on May 3, 2012.  These art cards by Jared Kelley are amazing.  I would like to see some autographed sketch/art cards someday.  Signed by both the artist and athlete.

Don’t forget about the Sportkings Series E Premium Back Redemption Program too.

I love cards that have pictures of other cards on them.

Even More Sportkings Series E Fun Cards To Find

May 3rd is just around the corner, and that is when you’ll be able to find Sportkings Series E.  I’ve shown you some of the case hits, and even did an interview with their Lead Portrait Painter Jared Kelley, but here some more cards that you can look forward to finding.

One of the best things Sportkings has done this year is have premium base cards that have a letter on the back.  Once you collect enough cards to spell out “SPORTKINGS” you can receive quad-relic cards, sketch cards, and even art cards.  Base cards usually don’t excite that many collectors, but having a program like this can really add value to them.  Mini base cards are found 1:2 boxes and you can look for Gold and Silver parallels.  Gold is limited to 3 copies, and Silver is limited to 7 copies.

Even More 2012 Leaf Golf Metal Images

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Leaf released the official sales sheet for their much anticipated Golf Metal product today.  As you can see, it contains some never before seen images.  Take a gander.  Golf Metal is currently pre-ordering for $89.99 per box.  Collectors can look for it in March.

More Leaf Golf Metal Images Released

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Leaf released a few more images of their much anticipated 2012 Golf Metal set due out later this year.  As you can see, Anthony Kim will be included within this set.  I really want to try this product when it comes out.

OYO – Your Favorite Player Has Been Minifigured

It doesn’t matter how old you are, its ok to admit that minifigures are awesome!  OYO Sports Toys have turned some of your favorite athletes into minifigure form.  Having yourself turned into a minifigure is almost an honor, just like seeing your favorite athlete turned into a character on Family Guy or The Simpsons.

One of the best things about their minifigures is the fact they are completely compatible with other building products like LEGOs.  Having a feature like that is great because building toys such as LEGOs are very popular and trying to create your own building product to compete wouldn’t work that well.   According to the OYO website, it looks like they make minifigures for the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Rangers.  It also looks as if they have plans to make minifigures for football, hockey, and more sports.  These just aren’t cheap knock-offs either, they have all the proper licenses to use the team names and logos.  I like how they just didn’t slap a team logo on a generic minifigure too.  They took their time and concentrated on the individual facial features as well.  Very cool!

Christmas isn’t too far away, and if you have a young sports fan these might be right up their ally.  Don’t forget about Bleacher Creatures and Lil’ Teammates too.

You can follow OYO Sports Toys on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Ever wonder what it would be like to see Shane Victorino fly a spaceship?  Well now you can.

You can find these at MLB.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Sports Authority.