Panini Blog Charles Woodson’s First Autograph Trading Cards Since 1998 Commanding Huge Bucks

Panini America officials made huge headlines earlier this season by striking a deal with Green Bay Packers superstar Charles Woodson*to produce his first autographed trading cards since 1998. Those cards finally started hitting the secondary market in recent weeks, and the sales — like the man driving them — are simply spectacular.
Clearly, the 13-year absence of Woodson certified autographs from the trading card arena has led to a bull market on his new arrivals from Panini America, which are currently outperforming sales of his autographed 1998 Rookie Cards.
Yesterday, while Woodson’s Packers were blasting the Oakland Raiders to go 13-0, a copy of Woodson’s Gridiron Gold card from 2011 Gold Standard Football sold on eBay for $499.99 — and that was the Buy It Now price. But the quick sell price of the card — which was limited to just 10 copies and included Woodson’s autograph and a piece of his game-worn jersey — came as little surprise to the seller, Steve Greenberg (eBay user ID: smgcrdz) of Twinsburg, Ohio.
“Actually,*for as quickly as it sold I wish I would have listed it higher,” Greenberg said. “I purchased this card yesterday at a card show for $350 and I had three different groups of collectors in mind to re-sell it to. We know the Packers have a huge fan base but I think they were third on my list of collectors who would buy the card.
“Tied for No. 1 on the list were Heisman collectors and Super Bowl collectors, even more than the fanatic Packers collectors. They have to have Woodson’s autograph to finish their collections.”
In late November, another of Panini America’s new Woodson autographs — a Hometown Heroes*insert from 2011 Certified Football limited to 10 copies — sold for $342. Meanwhile, a Woodson 1/1 autograph from 2011 Gridiron Gear has been bid up to more than $390 on eBay with still more than two days remaining.
“Due to the scarcity in general and the fact that these are Woodson’s first autographed cards as a Packer, we knew the cards would sell high,” said Joe White, Panini America’s licenses acquisitions manager who closed the autograph deal with Woodson through NFL PLAYERS. “But I think it’s safe to say that the sales so far*have exceeded expectations.”
Panini America has plans to include limited supplies of additional Woodson autographs in several of its remaining 2011 NFL products. Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance*for details.

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