Follow Up: In The Game Superlative Hockey Volume III

The Toronto Fall Expo is scheduled to begin November 9^th at the Toronto International Centre and one thing that is certain is that there will be plenty of hockey cards. Even with the possibility of the NHL season being cancelled (or best case scenario, half a season) hockey cards are still making their way on to the shelves. In The Game is set to release Superlative Hockey Volume III in time for the Fall Expo.

 

In The Game has updated some of the information regarding the product since I last reviewed it in early September. It appears that they have increased production from the original 1,500 Books (the boxes are in the shape of a book) to 2,500 Books and the SRP is now $350/book instead of the initial $500/book.

 

On top of the updated information they have also released a number of new pictures from the Skate Lace and Superlative Patch inserts. The Skate Laces insert looks like it would be a pretty cool card to pull. I do not know if he is included but I wouldn't mind seeing a Mike Bossy Skate Lace card on the checklist.

 

Preview: In The Game Superlative Hockey Volume III

Hockey collectors have a world of their own in the collecting world. Many non-hockey collectors can name rookies and top players from other sports even if they do not collect that specific sport but when it comes to hockey they are at a loss to name a player outside of Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe or maybe Crosby. The sad thing is that these people who ignore hockey releases are missing out; year after year we see some amazing hockey sets released. In The Game is one of those companies that deliver a solid product with each release plus they cater to collectors with specialized releases like Enforcers, Between the Pipes and Forever Rivals.

 

An upcoming ITG release that will surely get noticed is Superlative Hockey Volume III. With a production limit of 1,500 books it is quite possible to see this release sell out like the previous two volumes. Instead of boxes ITG uses a book for pack out with each book containing 7 cards and a $500 price tag is expected. Here is an example of an open book/box from a Volume I- Maple Leafs set from 2008.

 

Each book of Superlative Hockey Volume III contains seven cards:
• One Game-Used Jersey Card
• One Autograph Card or Auto Plus Card
• One Superlative Prospect Autograph or Prospect Auto Plus Card
• One Superlative Patch Card
• One Auto Jersey Card or Auto Plus Card
• One Famous Fabrics Card
• One Special Insert Card

 

It is worth pointing out that all autographs are either cut signatures (from people who have passed away) or hard-signed, no sticker autographs were used. All cards are packed out, there are no redemptions. All of the memorabilia relics are game used, these are not special event or draft night relics. Every relic you pull saw time on the ice in a pro or international game. Finally, there are quite a few 1/1 in the product