Card of the Day: Brett Smith 2014 SAGE Hit Auto

Remember The SAGE Design-A-Card Contest?

SAGE releases a very small amount of product each year.  Their designs are as basic as you can get.  But they continue to be some of the first cards of the next NFL rookie class which draws momentary attention.  The attention doesn’t stick around that long, especially when other companies release their stuff.  SAGE products really take a dive in popularity when the licensed sets come out.

The set SAGE released in 2006 sticks in my memory the most for one reason.  SAGE held a Design-A-Card contest that allowed collectors to design an insert set.  The winner saw their design printed-up and placed within the product.  There was a strict set of guidelines which needed to be followed, but tons of collectors gave it a shot.  The contest was held on the forum site Trader Retreat.  Despite submitting an endless amount of design ideas, none of mine were chosen.  Adam Popovich came out the winner with his “Design For Success” idea.  SAGE even made autographed versions.

Its too bad that the 2006 rookie class didn’t pan out all that much.  Values of these cards are next to nothing.  Unless you come across a low-numbered autograph that a few player collectors might fight over.  At the time, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush were all the rage.  Sealed boxes are very affordable.  You’ll find (5) autographs, and (1) jersey card per box.

Card of the Day: Bodacious 2018 SAGE Sportkings Volume 1 Hobby #18

Card of the Day: Fred Couples 2018 SAGE Sportkings Volume 1 Retail #17

Card of the Day: Zane Gonzalez 2017 SAGE Hit Premier Draft Gold #4

Bowman SAGE Hit Auto Contest #2 Winner Announced

Congrats to Matt Wilson on being the lucky winner of the Adarius Bowman 2008 SAGE Hit Gold Auto #’ed/250.  Once Matt Wilson sends me his mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks!

Bowman SAGE Hit Auto Contest #2 – NOW CLOSED

Nope.  You’re not seeing double.  I’m holding this contest again because the previous winner never came forward.  This contest is for an Adarius Bowman 2008 SAGE Hit Gold Auto #’ed/250.  He currently plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Canada.  Good luck!!!

Contest Details:

• This contest will end Friday, March 23, 2018 @ 8:00 p.m. EST.
• To enter, please leave a comment in this post.
• You can enter once per day.
• The winner will be selected at random.
• Please provide a valid e-mail address when entering.
• The winner will receive an e-mail when the contest is over.
• The winner has one week to send me their contact information or the contest will be held again.
• Once the contest is over, I will need the winner’s mailing address so I can ship them this card for FREE!!!

SAGE To Give Sportkings A Try

Well… it looks as if SAGE is the latest company to wield the Sportkings name.  Prior to this it was Brian Gray of Leaf, and before that it was Dr. Brian Price who once operated In The Game.

I’m going to be dead honest.  SAGE has been one of those manufacturers that sorta flies under the radar.  The company has been around since the 90’s, but in recent years they’ve only released a few unlicensed college football products.  With Press Pass out of the picture, SAGE has typically been one of the earliest companies to release autographs of the upcoming NFL draft class.  Once Leaf comes out with Metal Draft Football, and Panini starts releasing their millions of products, SAGE cards usually move to the back burner in most collector’s brains.  It wouldn’t be until the following year that we’d hear from them again.

With the release of 2018 SAGE Hit Premier Draft Low Series, collector’s have been finding promo cards for the first Sportkings product under the SAGE name.  Both promos feature Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton.  You’ll find the artistic promo (1) per hobby box, whereas the Walter Payton jersey card falls (1) per hobby case.

According to SAGE, Sportkings sounds like its going to have a lot to look for such as relics, on-card autographs, patches, jumbo patches, on-card original sketch cards with autographs, hand painted art cards, cut signatures, and original Sportkings cards from 1933.

Sportkings artwork has always been enjoyable to look at.  Lots of rich color.  It doesn’t even bother me that they lack team names and logos.  It’ll be interesting to see what the finished product ends up looking like.

Card of the Day: Jake Elliott 2017 SAGE Hit Premier Draft High Series #80

Bowman SAGE Hit Auto Contest Winner Announced

Congrats to Ricky Hedrick on being the lucky winner of the Adarius Bowman 2008 SAGE Hit Gold Auto #’ed/250.  Once Ricky Hedrick sends me his mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks!