Panini Sports Cards

Panini has been known for producing collectibles in Europe since the 1960s. Recently, they entered the US sports cards scene, cranking out high quality sports cards under the Panini America brand.

The company first acquired and exclusive license to produce NBA basketball cards. Priced at the lower end of the spectrum, Panini released NBA Blaster packs which were priced at a little over $2 a pack when bought by the box. A more upscale line, the Panini Certified Absolute Memorabilia was sold for around $3 per pack. The NBA blaster box averaged one rookie card per pack. The premium chase card of the set were rookie autograph cards.

Panini Certified Absolute offered sequentially numbered, autographed cards and jersey cards of current NBA stars. As a bonus, a separate chase line, with signatures from the stars of yesteryear such as Magic Johnson and Gary Payton were also included in the mix.

Since Panini purchased the legendary Donruss card company, Panini was able to inherit the company’s NFL license. Panini was quick to offer the NFL Adrenalyn line. The starter kit, aimed primarily at kids, was sold for a measly $15. What was unique about the Adrenalyn line was that fans were able to form their own fantasy league with their cards. Traditional sports cards were basically collectibles, but this offering was something different. Fans could purchase this and then play with their friends.

For traditionalists who did not care much for games, Panini promoted the NFL Absolute Memorabilia. The Absolute line boasted not only the top rookie cards but also rare combination autograph and swatch jersey cards seeded at approximately one card per box. Each Absolute Memorabilia box was priced at about $25. The top pick of the set may be the autographed, jersey card of Peyton Manning.

For followers of the NHL, Panini put forward a premium product. At approximately $100 a box, the Panini Limited Hockey Hobby Box was one of the company’s most expensive releases. Aside from using premium quality card stock for the base card set, exciting chase cards were also inserted.

Each rookie card was limited to just 199 cards. Aside from this, buyers were excited about the 1-of-1 cut signatures of such stars as Ken Reardon, Eddie Shore and Toe Blake. Another unique chase were the Limited Vintage Pucks which incorporated game-used pucks in the design.

An excellent source for Panini sports cards (and those from other sports card companies) is Sports Card Box, which offers links to all relevant eBay products from one central location. You can also learn more about Donruss-Panini and the various types of sports card boxes available to collectors of current and vintage sports card packs.

Gift Suggestions For A Sports Oriented Man

For the sports fan, team clothing, sports collectibles, portable sports games or game tickets make excellent birthday gifts.
One of the best ways of showing you care is to buy a gift for a loved one, however, choosing a suitable gift is not easy and it becomes all the more difficult if you are not sure where to look for good gifts. But, selecting a gift for a sports fan may be simpler than you think. If your man is a fond of sports, why not consider one of these unique birthday ideas for him?
Equipment and clothing for sports
You might want to offer him something he can actually make use at sporting events, if your man is sporty and practical at the same time. Consider the idea of giving him something that he can wear. Gift him a jersey from his favorite team or a pair of basketball shoes, if he is fond of basketball. Also you can pick sports accessories such as a new golf club or a tennis racket.
Novelty items with themes of sports based activities
If you want to go beyond the usual sports goods, there are a number of quirky items that are not necessarily sports-related but are designed to look like iconic sports items. Consider a flash drive that is shaped like a soccer ball or a phone that looks like a football helmet. When searching for a unique gift for your favorite man, think about bobble-head sports figures dressed in his favorite team’s colors personalized with his best looking picture. You can purchase appliances such as a mini-refrigerator with the color scheme and logo of a particular sports team, if you have the budget.
Sports collectibles
If your man is fond of collecting sports memorabilia, why not give him something he can add to his collection? How about giving him a unique gift of a jersey signed by his sports idol? There are several websites which sell autographed sports goods. You can search for limited edition baseball cards as well if he is fond of that game. As an alternate, there are also a number of small models of famous sports sites such as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. The truth that you really spent some time looking for a special gift for your man also makes the gift more precious.
Little sports
You can bring your man’s favorite outdoor sport into the convenience of his own home by giving him miniature game models of his favorite sport. Consider the idea of giving him an air hockey table if he loves hockey or an electronic football game which he can play on his desk at home if he is a football fan. He will surely love a gift that he can play with his buddies.
Sports tournament tickets
Each and every sports fan will definitely love the chance to see his favorite sports team or athlete play. If if is affordable for you, buy tickets for your man to look at a live game of his favorite sport. Your man will definitely love the ultimate opportunity to watch his favorite game in person, irrespective of whether it is a racing competition, boxing match or a basketball game.
Remember to draw inspiration for your gift from the particular sport that your man is fond of because otherwise you might be overwhelmed with all the available choices.

Collecting Sports Memorabilia Is An Unusual Hobby

Collecting sports memorabilia may help fill your time with an enjoyable hobby and provide you with a diversion from daily hassles.

Collecting memorabilia can be anything from football jersey or collection of snaps for scrapbook to collecting every item you might find about a particular player, team, or sport you are fascinated about. Putting together display cases with jerseys, game balls and helmets along with pictures from particular events can be fun. You could buy some accessories that could help you in displaying your sports collectibles too.

Yet another easy to start collectible hobby is collecting of pins. Most sports present collectible pins of their respective teams and it is a very popular segment of the sports collectible market these days. Some of the well-known pins are the ones, which memorialize particular events such as Olympics. Antique equipment for sports collectibles for instance vintage baseball gloves and bats are also fast sellers.

Collection of sports cards for instance baseball cards is even now hot as ever though and through the years these cards which had started as a hobby for many during childhood are now raking in huge sums of money for the collectors. Rare cards like those of Babe Ruth or Willie Mays bring in extraordinary amounts.

Another area that is super hot right now is, NASCAR. One finds here replica racecars, helmets, leather jackets, etc. My dad is a big time fan of Jeff Gordon and possesses about everything that has his name or picture inscribed. If you happen to be into NASCAR check the area of sports memorabilia, you can find a product for any racer of your liking.

At times other sports collectors preserve items that are related to their individual recreational sport like golf or fishing. There are some categories that cater to everyone in general so you are sure to find something for yourself.