How'd Panini America Do That? The Making of a Memorabilia Card

When the 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention begins tomorrow in Baltimore, Panini America will give new meaning to the term "business cards." And depending on your perspective, it's a development that will either set collecting back a few decades or provide a fun, scarce addition for any Panini America fan.

The history-making (or is that history-mocking?) first trading cards of Panini America Hobby Sales Manager Rodney Alsup, Hobby Marketing Manager Tracy Hackler and Marketing Manager Scott Prusha will be included via special instant-win redemption cards in the company's wrapper-redemption program.

In addition to being extremely limited (just 20 of each were produced for the show), the cards include over-sized prime pieces of work-worn (seriously) Rated Rookie T-shirt and ample signing space. And the only way to get the card -- and get it signed -- is by redeeming an instant-win card in person at the Panini America booth during the National.

At the very least, the conversation pieces should make for a fun few days in Baltimore. And they also gave us the perfect opportunity to create the following video showing you exactly how a memorabilia card is made.