Japanese WORLD CUP Soccer Cards

When it come to FIFA World Cup cards and collectables, I sometimes am very disappointed in what the USA produces - or in most cases, what it doesn't produce.

 

In a trade that was worth the wait, Ryan over at Japanese baseball cards sent over a reminder what other countries do for soccer's big event:

 

Limited Edition 2002 World Cup Panini boxed set

 

A numbered limited edition boxed set of Panini cards features the Japan National Team. Inside are cards of the players, high lights of the qualification games and special foil cards. 

 

Inside the box in a slotted divider for the cards and a numbered insert post card. Only 20,000 sets were issued. For a national population of 128 million, I'd say its pretty desirable.  

 

Also included were two sets of cards made by Cablee. A smaller pre-World Cup set from 2001 and a larger boxed set from 2002 when they hosted the tournament.  The 2002 issue is Limited Edition for some reason its numbered to 21,664 sets.

 

Few things go together better than beer and soccer. So the Japanese have smartly produced these bottle hangers of Japanese National Team jerseys. I have an example of the 2004 shirt and the 2014 shirt.

 

Japan has a wonderful record of marketing collectibles with drink products. Ryan threw in four bagged PEPSI STAR WARS caps. I need 3 out of the 4 of these for my collection.

 

 

Now its time to watch the World Cup with 3 games on tap today.

 

BRAZIL - It All Starts Now ....

When Brazil play Croatia today (ESPN 4 PM EST) it will continue one of the longest consecutive runs in international sports. See, for many people in the world, football / futbol/ soccer is a religion.

 

For Brazil, th ONLY nation to play in EVERY FIFA World Cup, it is more important than life or death.

 

1950 Brazil Team that ended in tragedy

 

Brazil hosted the World Cup in 1950 only to lose to Uruguay in the final. It was a national tragedy still know as "Maracanazo", named for the 200,000 seat stadium where the loss took place.

 

The rest, as they say, is history. The nation rebounded to win 5 World Cup titles, three of which were won with PELE'. The great Pele was 8 years old when he saw his father weep from the Maracanazo incident. He promised his father he would win the World Cup for Brazil. (Could there be a better father's Day gift ?) 

 

Pele has appeared on more soccer cards and stickers than any other player in history. To my count, in excess of 3,000 imaged collectables.

 

1970 Panini World Cup - Pele

 

 

He has been featured in no less than 4 sets already in 2014 - 44 years after his last World Cup. That's star power.

 

For over the next 30 days, the planet will not care about much else but the World Cup and finishing their Panini sticker collection. I can live with that.

US SOCCER Fan-Fest Feeds World Cup Fever

The last stop for the US Mens National Team (USMNT) was in Jacksonville, Florida before heading to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Everbank Field has hosted several international matches in the past year and has set attendance records each time.  This occasion was not different as 52,033 packed in to send-off our American boys ad they beat Nigeria who is also head to Brazil.

 

The sign welcoming the Yanks to Jacksonville

 

There was plenty for the fans to do and see among the pre-game tailgating mahem - including a giant fan fest that had loads of free stuff from food to soccer souvenirs.

 

My view from the press box for the contest

 

In addition to the USA's 2:1 victory, fans went home with some great momentos.

I first read about these on Soccer Americana's blog - http://amersoccer.blogspot.com/  where Nabisco, one of the better product supporters of US Soccer, have these hitting the store shelves.

Ritz Crackers box front

Ritz Crackers box back

 

One of the most popular give-aways at the Nabisco tent were these "big head" hand fans. There were 3 different players issued:

 

1. Clint Dempsey

2. Omar Gonzales

3. Alex Morgan

USMNT stars Dempsey and Gonzalez

USWNT starlet Morgan and reverse of fans

 

There were free cookies and crackers as well as sun glasses and wrist bands all depicting US Soccer.

For traditionalist, Allstate Insurance had a winning give-away with their colorful soccer scarf. Made of a light weight silk the two-sided scarf was part of a great chant and exhibition by the American Outlaws supporters group.

scarf front

scarf back

 

Among the other items that proved popular were the estimated thousand PANINI World Cup sticker albums that were given away. The albums includes 10 starter stickers.

 

 

 

All in all a great day !

The Chronicles of Fuji celebrates his 1000th blog post. That's more than most days I even think about blogging. He's an oddball, a school teacher and an all around interesting person to read. The beauty of blogging is getting to know someone through there interests.

Fuji's assorted interest and story telling gathers curiocity from many circles. That's why I think I've continued to follow his writing. My personal occupation with international things and a variety of interests can relate.

As my followers can tell by my lack of recent posts, I'm moving to the next phase of life. Still interested in the hobbies, with one foot in but also noticably absent. I've seen many bloggers run their course - tell their story and then fade away. The reason for quitting or ceasing operations, as it were, can range from a bad experience in the hobby to financial difficulties.  someties its just phases of life, marriage, children, moving or change of occupation.

Either way, we often look for the realiable and steady while all around us is spinning. Fuji has done a remarkable job in keeping us interested while things change around him and the hobby.

Thanks Fuji and hope you enjoy the future.

Here's one for you because you only live once ...

 ... or twice in cardboard.

 

Making Cards: Part 3 - Lord Of The Rings

I guess you could call it an anniversary, but to me its more than that. One of the first sketch card sets I worked on for TOPPS was the LORD OF THE RINGS. To this day, I get requests from as far as Asia to Australia to draw the characters, creatures and artistry of this story. And I love it.

 

I have had the privilege to be commissioned by some of the finest super collectors of this franchise. Many of these collectors have amassed artists rendered scenes from the movie trilogy at a great expense. I'm honored to be among their archives.

 

Here are my latest sketch cards:

 

The Great Hall of ROHAN

HAMA, the Captain of the Rohan Guard

 

GOLLUM's Peril

SARUMAN - Battle of the Wizards

FRODO and SAM

 

There are almost infinite aspects of this saga to bring to life. I can't wait to start another installment. I hope you enjoy.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCENE OR CHARACTER FROM "Lord Of The Rings" ?

Making Cards - Part 2 : Legendary Lovecraft

Monsters, whether you believe n them or not, exist.  Because of writers like Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft.

 

H.P. Lovecraft is one of the recent trends of horror writers that are getting a revival through their stories and their interpretations of artists. I am pleased to be one of the selected ones to depict Lovecraft's monster mind through the MONSTER WAX card company. The company also houses one of the finest collections of monster trading cards found here -  http://www.monsterwax.com/monstermuseum.html

 

 

I wish I had more time to do these cards but I was in the middle of a deadline and got to do only a handful for the set. However, I was given some extra blank cards and will be putting some of those up for sale when the set is released.

 

 

 

If you have a favorite Lovecraft story or creature, and you want a nice investment in cards, shoot me an email and your request. A closer look at sketch cards and their rising values, you can check out  or http://www.nonsportupdate.com/ or ebay for current pricing.

Making Cards - Part 1 : Mardi Gras (adult content warning)

I get this about once a year - when the blogging comes to a near complete dead stop. But I usually have a better reason for this than just being lazy. While my A.D.D. mentality is not in full pursuit of collecting cards, it slowly oozes out some art work for other card sets.

 

I've been toiling away at 3 different sketch card sets, 2 of which will be issued this spring.

ISLAND DREAMS will be releasing "Let The Good Times Roll" in April featuring the theme of MARDI GRAS in New Orleans.

 

I selected a few samples to show here.  The adult theme warning in the title of this blog is so that the all-so sensitive, censorship crazy prudes don't have a cause to bitch about the drawing of a pair of breasts. (if this bothers you - read no further)

 

 

A chance to slip in a sports card with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

 

The chance to slip in some slippage. I love drawing women.

 

I never pass up a chance for Spooky costumes and skulls. 

 

Who's the leader of the band ? Flaunting feathers.

 

Voodoo dolls and dollies.

 

More smiles and beads.

 

This was one of the over sized 5 x 7 cards.

 

I've done a few sets for  ISLAND DREAMS including ones for charity. The packs are always interesting with many fine artist's work and surprise bonus cards that feature genuine old coins or artifacts. These "Let The Good Times Roll" packs will include actual free drink tickets among other things.

 

I hope you pardon my absents and posting. The MLS season has begun and the FIFA World Cup will be in less than 3 months. By then, you'll probably see more of my sketch cards on ebay and the official card web sites.

 

Next chance I get, I will feature a horror-monster set I am working on. As always, I am available for commissions to draw your requests.  You think it - I'll ink it.