Vol. 3: What IS A Rookie Card?


(An expression of the concept that many things seem straightforward on the surface, but difficulties, problems, and obstacles are later discovered while trying to implement or execute a task or plan)


This one kills me when I see it. It is one of the more dishonest marketing tools in place in card sales and is nothing but an attempt to prey on those who aren't hobby savy. What is it? It’s individuals who label their item as a rookie card when it most definitely not. Now I recognize that in some cases these are individuals who don’t fully understand what the rookie card label entails. However, I’m guessing that the vast majority of these individuals are knowingly trying to pass their product off as something it is not. These people are much like the bevy of scorned “ex-wives” who are on-line nowadays purporting to be selling their cheating ex’s card collection out of spite, of course not knowing what’s in there (Colour me skeptical on many levels here!) In short, we’ve got scam written all over it.


Example: Go onto EBay and type in “ John Tavares” and “RC” and see what comes up……………Well, surprise surprise!! There are a bunch of Tavares rookie cards to be had folks! Problem here is that they most are NOT rookie cards! They are some of his first cards (Team Canada, ITG Heroes & Prospects cards, etc), but a rookie card is not necessarily a player’s first card. In fact, the vast majority of cards that are sold at prices of $20-$30 before the players true rookie card is released will be booking at a couple bucks once the real ones come out.


So if a rookie card is not necessarily the player’s first card, what is it? By definition, a rookie card is:

“Any league-licensed, widely distributed card to feature a player in his first year of licensed trading cards”.

In plain English, a card is a players true rookie when it is: a) league licensed; and b) widely distributed (not a regional release), in the first year where cards meet the previous criteria. Going back to Tavares, his ITG Generals cards were not licensed by the NHL but were widely distributed. As they meet only one criterion, they are NOT valid rookie cards.


NOT RC's!!! (Not NHL licensed; Widely distributed; Not the year where both previous criteria met)








Also NOT a Tavares RC! (NHL licensed; Only distributed during a single day in Canada at limted locations; Right year but both previous criteria NOT met)





Connversely, the 2009-10 Upper Deck Series 1 and OPC Premier cards were licensed by the NHL, were contained in a widely distributed product, and were released in the first year where licensed, widely distributed Tavares cards were released, so these cards are RCs.









In contrast, this years 10-11 Upper Deck Series 1 Tavares will be licensed by the NHL, will be widely distributed, but will not be released in the first year where licensed, widely distributed Tavares cards are released (the first year is the aforementioned 2009-10 season), so it will not be a RC. See how this works? Keep your eyes open with this so you don’t get ripped off.



The Devil in this detail is: Rookie cards are not just the first cards released of a player. A true rookie card is NHL licensed, widely distributed and is released in the first year where cards for that player meet the licensing and distribution criteria.


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Just a quick note before I completely sign off! Since I am going at the collectibles gig full steam again I would like to work a few interactive blogs into the menu here. Here are a few ideas:

1) Q&A: Send in any questions around product, pricing, selling, memorabilia and I will do question and answer type posts of them.

2) Show Your Collection: Do you have anything in your collection, be it card, jersey, puck, auto, that you’re particularly proud of and would like to show off? Send me a pic and brief description and share it with the world!

3) Want/Trade: If people have particular cards they want and a list of things they’re willing to trade then send me a list and an email address where others can contact you and I will maintain a trade page here to help facilitate some trading.

If any of these things appeal to you in any way let me know and we’ll do it up!

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Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Twitter: ShawnHockeybuzz
Facebook: Shawn Gates
BBM: 311A4F7D

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Previous "Devil's In The Details" Articles

#1: Beware the "Factory Sealed Box"!

#2: The Price Guide"



Previous Product Previews & Reviews

2010-11 Panini Score Hockey
2010-11 Panini Certified Hockey
2010-11 ITG Ultimate Memorabilia, 10th Edition


Ultimate Set Build

INDEX



Previous “Who Am I?” Articles

#1, #2, #3, #4, #5


Previous “WHAT IF…?” Articles

#1 What If The NHL Contracted To 24 Teams?

#2 What If Quebec Traded Lindros To The Rangers Instead Of The Flyers?

#3 What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?

#3a What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?: A RESPONSE

#4 What If The WHA Never Existed?

#5 What If The Position Of Rover Had Not Been Eliminated?

#6 What If Pittsburgh Had Not Been Awarded A Team In 1967?

#7 What If Steve Smith Had Not Scored In His Own Net In Game 7?

#8 What If The NHL Had a Cross-Conference Playoff Structure?

#9 What If The NHL Asked For Fan Ideas For Improving The Game??

#10 What If Henderson Had Missed The Net In Game 8?

#11 What If You Could Sneak Into A Stanley Cup Celebration?

#12 What If The NHL Returned To Quebec City?

#13 What if Toronto and Edmonton Had Traded Teams in 1981?

#14 What if You Could Create Your Own Hockey Dream Team?

#15 What if An Active Player in the NHL “Came Out” as Gay?

#16 You Could Assemble Your Own Fantasy Pick-up Hockey Team?

#17 Hockey Had A Champions League Tournament?

#18 Team "X" Did NOT Make Trade "Y" At The Deadline?

#19 Gretzky Had Been Called For he High Stick?

#20 Star Players Hadn't Had Their Careers Cut Short?


Previous “Devil's Advocate” Articles

Gary Bettman and the Phoenix Coyotes


Previous “According to Twitter” Articles

Olympic Gold Medal Game

Olympic Hockey

Kovalchuk Trade


Previous “Humpday Hockey Videos”

January 20, 2010: Pain for Pleasure

January 27, 2010: National Anthems

February 3, 2010: Dion Phaneuf

February 10, 2010: Hockey Fans



Previous “Who Knew?” Articles
#1: Gordie Howe

#2: The Zamboni

#3: Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

#4: Ron Hextall

#5: Stanley Cup Abuse, Neglect and Versatility

#6: The Puck

#7: Don Cherry

#8: Cam Neely

#9: The Early Years of Les Canadiens

#10: Hockey Superstitions!

#11: Olympic Hockey Pt1



Previous “Town Without A Team” Articles

Booger Hollow, Arkansas

Hell, Michigan



Previous “Hockey Psychology” Articles

State Dependent Learning

Arousal and Performance

Depression