Now that 2012 Upper Deck is occupying a space usually populated by a bunch of pre-draft products with airbrushed uniforms, it has some definite legs that it didn’t used to have. I talked about yesterday that 2012 Prestige and 2012 Bowman Sig, the first two NFL licensed products are backing off of a release in May to shoot for more NFL branded content in their products. This leaves 2012 UD as the only college licensed product on the market, and with good looking cards, they will dominate until the middle of 2012.
One of the more interesting things that we are seeing is that UD built in some really interesting surprises that weren’t publicized, even in the limited solicitation of the product. Obviously, they have done sneaky but awesome things before going back as long as 1992, and 2012 is not going to be any different. Remember back when Shaquille Oneal was the top draft pick, UD offered a trade card that could be redeemed for a special Shaq variation card?
This year its back, and though it cannot likely be Andrew Luck, seeing Robert Griffin in a super rare UD 1992 or similar throwback would be amazing, even if it isn’t his NFL uniform. I have a soft spot for Upper Deck cards of my youth, and this type of situation is beyond awesome. UD has already confirmed trade cards for signed and unsigned versions.
2012 Upper Deck Top Draft QB Trade Card
2012 Upper Deck QB Trade Card – Auto Version
They also created stripe cards that can be redeemed for multiple autographs, instead of just multiple cards, which is definitely a huge offering for a product like this one. Any time you can get 15 autographs or more out of one card, its going to be a novelty that collectors will chase. Its unfortunate that it will likely be stickers, but it’s a great concept that they were able to do very well last year with the stripe rookie cards.
Im not really a fan of college products, but I am a fan of throwbacks. I have said a number of times, that going back to an iconic well is a great thing as long as the nostalgia created is positive. For many collectors around in that era, this is what we lived for. It was a different industry then, and its cool when we see it updated for 2012.
Correct me if Im wrong, but the Upper Deck trade card is just a glorified redemtion card…
I think I speak for everyone when we say we all hate redemption cards….
I think redemption implies that the card is an unfufilled portion of a set they are waiting on. I dont think this is the same thing – very much like the O’neal trade card from 1992.
It’s definitely Luck. That’s why they won’t send them until June 2013. Gotta let that exclusive contract expire…
The College Mascots patch cards are pretty cool. It’s a good innovation in the manupatch world that has gotten stale. I say take it a step further and do manupatch pictures of players and have them sign it.
Who really cares who the card is. Upper Deck will be long out of business or owned by another company by that date.
I am a card carrying member of CLUB 5909 and always will be. Can’t wait for the party when it is over.
You still have to wait till June 2013 to get the damn card? Sounds like a pain in the ass redemption card to me. Thanks but no thank.
So you worked/work for Upper Deck? I’m always curious what it is like working for a card company and have checked their job board on occasion. What’s it like working in the industry? Is it something worth pursuing at UD, Panini or Topps?