eTopps Auto Cards of Howard, Morneau, Santana to be Offered

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eTopps, known for its weekly online offerings of security-encased, direct-from-the-manufacturer sports cards, is ramping up its on-card autograph offerings.

NL MVP Ryan Howard, AL MVP Justin Morneau, Cy Young winner Johan Santana, Carmelo Anthony all will be offered in coming weeks, along with "a number of studs from this year's NFL rookie class," says eTopps' Mark Sapir, speaking from Miami where he is attending the Super Bowl collectibles show.

Hey Mark, got an extra ticket to Sunday's big game?

"I've got one ticket," laughs Sapir. "That's all I need, isn't it?"

Sapir says that positive demand for autographed eTopps card has spawned an expansion of the product offering, including autographed eTopps cards of the young star players such as Howard and Morneau. "eTopps autograph cards will now deliver not only the big names but also the game's young stars," says Sapir. "We are now truly focused on delivering the eTopps community a strong autograph program. We've always had autograph cards, but we are ramping it up now."

To take advantage of upcoming eTopps autograph card offers, collectors must already have the player's eTopps card in their eTopps inventory. Hobbyists planning on getting in on the Howard, Morneau, Santana or Anthony eTopps autograph offers would be wise to add those cards to their eTopps collections prior to the autograph auction. That way, they can pull the trigger when the deals become available.

And you have to be quick, as some offerings sell out in just a few hours, says Sapir. Typical eTopps autograph cards are offered in numbers of 100 or less. All are on-card autos. "We know there are many collectors out there who would prefer autographs on cards (instead of stickers)," says Sapir, "I am biased but I have to say there is none better looking card than an autographed eTopps card. The cards go through the same authentication process as the Topps wax cards. Often, the athletes sign stickers for wax cards and sign the eTopps cards at the same signing session."

Recent weeks have seen eTopps offers for on-card autograph cards of players such as Prince Fielder, Justin Verlander, Jonathan Papelbom, David Wright and Vince Papale. Complete registries and all eTopps offers can be found at www.eTopps.com