STARPICS (update)
 

Gareb Shamus (the Wizard Magazine guy) started a new company and released some details about STARPICS (a signed card product):

At launch, each Celebrity signs just 41 cards with parallels numbered to 25 (gold foil), 10 (holo foil), 5 (red foil) and an exclusive 1-of-1 prismatic foil.

So, get in fast, or they may be sold out.
Every card will be slabbed by CGC.

And today they bought BAM! Collectibles (the people that make BAM! Box), so he now has a distribution center and customer list of 50,000 emails.

There was a trading card company in the 90s with the same name.

My guess is these won't be cheap, probably around $300 per card.

Here's the website for the new company:

[url]https://starpicscards.com/[/url]

Here's some pictures of the cards:

[url]https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/13425/[/url]

StarPics believes there are five critical elements to collectible cards:

Top names that collectors are seeking
Autographed cards only (no packs, boxes or sifting through “common” cards to get the desired signed cards)
All autographs are hand-signed on the cards (no stickers)
Every card already comes directly from CGC Signature Series graded, encapsulated and date-stamped (no mailing cards out and waiting)
Direct to consumer and in stock with high-end packaging (no redemption cards)

StarPics will feature all hand-signed cards with A-list celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Pine, Paul Rudd, Orlando Bloom, Jaimie Alexander and many more. The cards have the bonus of all being in CGC Signature Series holders, meaning that collectors have no doubt about the signature on the card. A CGC Signature Series representative witnesses every signing, secures each card in a security bag and delivers them to CGC headquarters for grading and encapsulation. The special CGC Signature Series label also displays the date of the signing, adding a provenance that other card manufacturers do not include.

The grading step is the least appealing part of the enterprise, in my opinion, although I'm not the market for this. On-card autos, big names, limited availability all sound great but then you never get to touch the card. That kind of bums me out.

I guess rule #2 means that I’m old and outdated

2. Autographed cards only (no packs, boxes or sifting through “common” cards to get the desired signed cards)

The street clothes look for each celebrity is what kills it for me. I want these autos, but I want them with pictures of them in the role that I know and love.

Interesting concept. It looks like Leaf type thing, but on card and graded out of the gate. Some big names there.

I’m a big fan of CGC signature series….but I will say their wording of “no doubt” about the signature being authentic does not quite ring true imo. Since in my experience not all CGC SS’s are slabbed in the presence of a witness, some can still have a chain, such as being sent to the signer then they send it back for grading. I kinda wish CGC SS was witnessed-by-CGC only. That being said, I’m more confident in signature series than almost any other type of auto, especially the after-the-fact certified ones, and probably about on par with pack issued autos if not greater.

I assume these will all be witnessed sigs from Ace Universe comic cons.

I'm surprised its taken this long for one of the big comic con companies to figure out they should create their own trading cards to get signed.

[QUOTE=Bunny Hop;19732320]The grading step is the least appealing part of the enterprise, in my opinion, although I'm not the market for this. On-card autos, big names, limited availability all sound great but then you never get to touch the card. That kind of bums me out.[/QUOTE]

Why do you need to touch the card? I can see the argument against slabbing comic books, as you can no longer read them. I can't really see the argument against slabbing coins or trading cards, as they display better slabbed and you can handle them without damaging them. It also makes them easier to buy/sell with confidence.

I realize the trading aspect of trading cards has gone by the wayside for many if not most collectors (outside of e-Pack) but this seems as far away from "trading cards" as you can get. It's basically Topps Now only every card is signed. The description doesn't make it clear whether you'll be able to buy the parallel card you want or if they'll be swapped out randomly for one of the 41 "base" auto cards. It also remains to be seen whether there are limits on how many cards one person can buy.

[QUOTE]At launch, each Artist signs just 41 cards with parallels numbered to 25 (gold foil), 10 (holo foil), 5 (red foil) and an exclusive 1-of-1 prismatic foil. The StarPics cards will drop on starpicscards.com direct to collectors. Each drop will be available until the cards sell out!

StarPics will feature all hand-signed cards with A-list celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Pine, Paul Rudd, Orlando Bloom, Jaimie Alexander and many more. The cards have the bonus of all being in CGC Signature Series holders, meaning that collectors have no doubt about the signature on the card. A CGC Signature Series representative witnesses every signing, secures each card in a security bag and delivers them to CGC headquarters for grading and encapsulation. The special CGC Signature Series label also displays the date of the signing, adding a provenance that other card manufacturers do not include.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Rictor;19732378]Why do you need to touch the card? I can see the argument against slabbing comic books, as you can no longer read them. I can't really see the argument against slabbing coins or trading cards, as they display better slabbed and you can handle them without damaging them. It also makes them easier to buy/sell with confidence.[/QUOTE]

To me, once it's slabbed it's not a card anymore but a slab. I'm more into cards than I am into slabs and it being sold directly in the slab without a raw card option makes me feel like I'm buying a piece of third-party marketing that detracts from the card itself. Just my feelings as a consumer and card collector.

So the ones that are actually "A-List" will sell out immediately where you don't have a chance. The not so A-List, A-List will be overpriced and not worth it. It's slabbed so if I want it in a binder I gotta break it open. Beautiful cards. Glad they exist. But I wish we'd get a legit rival to Leaf instead of shenanigans.

Jamie Alexander is an A list star? That already tells me they are overhyping who they have as signers.

[QUOTE=BobCollects;19732379]I realize the trading aspect of trading cards has gone by the wayside for many if not most collectors (outside of e-Pack) but this seems as far away from "trading cards" as you can get. It's basically Topps Now only every card is signed. The description doesn't make it clear whether you'll be able to buy the parallel card you want or if they'll be swapped out randomly for one of the 41 "base" auto cards. It also remains to be seen whether there are limits on how many cards one person can buy.[/QUOTE]

Are there "base" autos? I read it as being 41 total cards, broken down into the various parallel colors

Almost all of their stars have already signed before -- some of them have a signed a lot.

The cards look nice at least.

[QUOTE=HiltonL;19732613]Are there "base" autos? I read it as being 41 total cards, broken down into the various parallel colors[/QUOTE]

You are correct. I didn't add up the parallels. The "with" in "each Artist signs just 41 cards with parallels" made me think there will be 41 cards with additional parallels. But the first card has been added to the StarPics website and there are only 41 cards.

[url]https://starpicscards.com/products/starpics-paul-rudd-autographed-trading-card-limited-edition[/url]

[QUOTE]Edition Size: 41
This StarPics trading card is autographed by Paul Rudd and is limited to a quantity of 41 cards total. Each card will come in a CGC Signature Series holder, Date-Stamped, and individually boxed.

Paul Rudd is an acclaimed actor for his role as Ant-Man in his namesake film and The Avengers. Paul’s had standout performances in Clueless, Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Honored with accolades like the Critics' Choice Award and named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2021, Rudd has become a beloved figure in Hollywood for his charm, humor, and talent.

Limited Edition (41):

1/1 Gold Prismatic Foil

/5 Red Foil

/10 Gold Holo Foil

/25 Gold Foil[/QUOTE]

There's a wonderful disclaimer:

[QUOTE]Please note that all cards come Graded and Encapsulated from CGC. We are not liable for any errors or omissions on the label. Cards may be graded AU or a numbered grade. There is no Guarantee on the grade you will receive. [/QUOTE]

Do you think I was high or low on my guess of $300 per card?

It could be that the card prices vary also, based on the signing fee of the celeb.

The headliners of their June 2024 con were:

Diego Luna, Chris Pine, Jake Gyllenhaal (cancelled), Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis

The other con guests were:

Tatiana Maslany, Iman Vellani, Jamie Alexander, Pom Klementieff, Walker Scobell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Mason Thames

Paul Rudd was a send-in in July, not a convention guest:

[url]https://aceuniverse.com/pages/paul-rudd-confirmed-for-ace-assist[/url]

The signing fee was $280 for Paul Rudd. Jamie Alexander's signing fee was $140. You wouldn't think their trading cards would be the same price.

[QUOTE=Rictor;19733085][B]Do you think I was high or low on my guess of $300 per card?[/B]

It could be that the card prices vary also, based on the signing fee of the celeb.

The headliners of their June 2024 con were:

Diego Luna, Chris Pine, Jake Gyllenhaal (cancelled), Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis

The other con guests were:

Tatiana Maslany, Iman Vellani, Jamie Alexander, Pom Klementieff, Walker Scobell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Mason Thames

Paul Rudd was a send-in in July, not a convention guest:

[url]https://aceuniverse.com/pages/paul-rudd-confirmed-for-ace-assist[/url]

The signing fee was $280 for Paul Rudd. Jamie Alexander's signing fee was $140. You wouldn't think their trading cards would be the same price.[/QUOTE]


[B]Paul Rudd confirmed today as the first release for this product [/B]- goes on sale tomorrow. and based on a comment on their FB post, will be $340. That price is not "officially confirmed" but apparently you can somehow add it to cart to see that price. I dont know how they did that though ?


[URL="https://starpicscards.com/products/starpics-paul-rudd-autographed-trading-card-limited-edition"]https://starpicscards.com/products/starpics-paul-rudd-autographed-trading-card-limited-edition[/URL]

[QUOTE=GFD18;19734133][B]Paul Rudd confirmed today as the first release for this product [/B]- goes on sale tomorrow. and based on a comment on their FB post, will be $340. That price is not "officially confirmed" but apparently you can somehow add it to cart to see that price. I dont know how they did that though ?


[URL="https://starpicscards.com/products/starpics-paul-rudd-autographed-trading-card-limited-edition"]https://starpicscards.com/products/starpics-paul-rudd-autographed-trading-card-limited-edition[/URL][/QUOTE]

So if you look at the HTML of the website, the price is already there, it just hasn't been set to show on the site yet.

meta property="ogprice:amount" content="340.00"

Using Developer Tools in a web browser, you can create your own version of the website where the cart is live. You likely can't then checkout because the back end process for purchasing that item likely doesn't exist yet.

The last 3 Parks and Recs Rudd autos on eBay all sold under $200.

They shouldn’t have graded them, imho. If I pay $340 and get a CGC 8 it’s probably a $100 card. If they just left them marked AU, we wouldn’t overthink it.
Vinny :doh:

[QUOTE=VinnyH;19734386]They shouldn’t have graded them, imho.[/QUOTE]

That's the immediate turn-off for me. I won't even consider this solely because of that. But I'm not the target audience, and this will still sell out, so it doesn't matter what I do.

It’s kind of ridiculous that StarPics has made grading an integral part of the product but won’t guarantee a 10 or even guarantee every card will be graded.

There’s no reason StarPics can’t guarantee a 10 for every single card. Except for cost, of course. Print, have signed, and submit as many cards as necessary to get 10 for all 41 cards.

Instead, it looks like you may get an authentic card with no grade whatsoever, an authentic card with the auto graded as well, or a graded card with the auto also graded.

Lots of 8s for the first batch of cards:

[url]https://www.cgccards.com/population-report/non-sports/other-non-sports/43/2020s/66/series-1-2024-starpics/4448?page=1[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=BobCollects;19734943]There’s no reason StarPics can’t guarantee a 10 for every single card.[/QUOTE]

What if the talent is rough on the cards? Even being careful, every time the card is handled opens up more potential to effect the grade.

Well, it is live now. The funny thing is I added to be notified on 2 different email addresses when it is live and still have nothing. I can't believe it is $340. Doesn't bode well for the prices of other celebs.

[QUOTE=itsbaytime;19735247]Well, it is live now. The funny thing is I added to be notified on 2 different email addresses when it is live and still have nothing. I can't believe it is $340. Doesn't bode well for the prices of other celebs.[/QUOTE]

That's hilarious. And you're right -- I signed up for notifications, too, but nothing in my email or spam.