In the Game Poised to Celebrate the 100th Year of Hockey Cards With a New C56 Set

The first known set of hockey cards is known today by its catalog index C56. Put out by Imperial Tobacco in 1910, the set is celebrating its centennial anniversary. A couple days ago In the Game announced they're going to be honoring the set with their own modern spin on C56, announcing that the design will be the basis for the tenth edition of In the Game Ultimate Memorabilia. The pair of images they passed along are drool-inducing.

The company also announced that they'll be inserting redemption cards good for graded versions of original cards.

That Didn't Take Long - ITG Announces Ted Kennedy Tribute Autograph

Like the instantaneous biographies that come up within minutes of a celebrity passing, In the Game has announced a Ted Kennedy tribute card that will be autographed (thanks to the magic of sticker autographs and cut signatures).

The card will be inserted in Ultimate Memorabilia 9th Edition Hockey, which releases in November. No word on how many copies of the tribute will be made, although the brand is known for its limited availability.

Update: It's been pointed out that this is not the politician Ted Kennedy who passed away today but the former Maple Leafs captain who died less than two weeks ago. It's probably not the best day to announce the card.

Lord Stanley is Noble and Shiny

This is a pick-up from a few weeks back that I grabbed while looking for something a little different. I believe I grabbed something I was looking for initially but I'm a sucker for combined shipping deals and often end up grabbing a couple of extras.

The card in question is a 2007-08 In the Game Ultimate Memorabilia 8th Edition base card (I think) of Lord Stanley, aka the guy the Stanley Cup's named after. And while I love the old-time photo mixing with the silver dufex-ish finish, there's a lot to be desired by the overall package:

1. First off, there's no number. What's a base set without a number?
2. Next, why slab a modern base card fresh out of the "pack"?
3. So the slab is serial numbered but not the card itself. Grrrr.

If you're not familiar with In the Game, they're a lot like the Donruss equivilent of hockey. They had a license, lost it went Upper Deck got the exclusive rights yet they've continued to produce cards and survive. Note this card shows how not to get sued: it shows a picture, no logos and a bowtie. No confusion there. In the Game also gets around the rights issue with minor league and international league deals.