The articles that make up Issue #009 of the FootyStars “Collectors Edition” newsletter can be found in this newsletter archive by following these links.

Editorial
http://newsletter.footystars.com.au/2007/10/the-footy-season-is-over-for-another-year/

Footy Card Collectors Tips
http://newsletter.footystars.com.au/2007/10/are-my-footy-cards-valuable-or-not/

Footy Card Spotlight
http://newsletter.footystars.com.au/2007/10/how-do-premiership-predictor-cards-work/

Protecting Your Investment
http://newsletter.footystars.com.au/2007/10/official-footy-card-folders/

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The season’s over… and in both the AFL and the NRL the best sides in the competition won. Congratulations to the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Storm.

But just because the footy season is over doesn’t mean that card collecting screams to a halt… no way… things are just starting to get interesting!

It’s redemption time for all those Premiership Predictors so this month’s “Card Spotlight” section focuses on these cards and what to do with them.

But before we get to that let’s do a little house keeping…

In the last issue we discussed Error Cards and I challenged you to tell us about some of the error cards you have discovered in the 2005, 2006 or 2007 Series releases.

It seems not many of you have an eye for detail judging by the small number of responses… but that’s ok, because one person who wrote in made us aware of probably the biggest error of them all!

Quality, not quantity!

Michael wrote to us after discovering an error in the recently released Scanlens 2003 (released in August 2007 by Select who own the Scanlens license). See here for more information about the set.

This release is EXTREMELY LIMITED with just 60 sets being produced in total. Because demand was SO HIGH, Select sold each complete set of 30 cards for $2750 by random ballot… no small price by anyone’s means!

The error that Michael spotted relates to Card Number 27 in the NRL set. The card features Brad Fittler; Captain of the Sydney Roosters, NSW Blues and Australian teams. A real legend of the game.

To say Fittler is a well known player is an under-statement, but… just because you are well known, doesn’t mean people will know how to spell your name.

Unfortunately the card was printed with a spelling error. Fittler’s surname was spelt with just one “T”.

A simple error but one that Select have worked quickly to correct.

We have learned that Select have contacted each of the buyers and offered to swap the error with a corrected card.

This puts each owner in a delicate situation… keep the error card?  Or swap it for the corrected card? Which is the better option for them?

Either way, both versions of the card are likely to be more valuable because LESS than 60 of each will be in existence, which means they are even more scarce than originally planned.

Thank you Michael for letting us know about this error. We can all sit back now and watch what happens to the value of this card!

On a totally different and personal note (certainly not an error ), on August 25th, Emma and I welcomed a new Footy Card collector into the world.

Max Thatcher; little brother to Robbie, was born weighing in at a healthy 3.4kg (7lb 9oz). He’s happy, healthy, and sleeping pretty well… but best of all he puts a smile on our face EVERY day.

As his proud father I couldn’t help but announce him to the world and tell you about him.

Enjoy this month’s newsletter. We will catch you again next month.

Ian

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We get the occasional question through our web site from a Mum or Dad that goes a little something like this…

“I was just cleaning our my son’s bedroom when I discovered a set of Footy Cards from (insert a year in the 90’s here) and I was wondering if they a valuable or not.

Can you please tell me what they are worth?”

Not being able to see the cards ourselves we usually ask for a description of the condition of the cards and a description of what cards are included in the set.

Both answers are important in determining the value of the set! Let me explain…

The condition is probably THE MOST important aspect.

If the cards have been well protected and stored they are likely to be somewhat valuable.

On the flip side, if the cards are bent, creased, have “dull corners” or dented edges chances are the cards will be much less valuable.

So a quick tip for all our readers is, start planning for the future now… we recommend Ultra Pro accessories for the best protection of your cards.

The answer to our other question is what usually determines the ACTUAL value of the set.

What cards are included in the set?

More often than not the set is the complete common set.

Now there is nothing wrong with that, but it means the value is going to be pretty modest in most cases, and it’s usually worth keeping rather than selling.

Occasionally, Mum and Dad write back and they tell us the set includes Signature Cards, All Australian, Best and Fairest, Mark of the Year or a range of other insert cards.

Now this can really INCREASE the value of the collection.

By their very nature, insert cards are more scarce than the common cards. They are “inserted” into packets at a ratio of say 1 card in four packets (1:4), 1:8, 1:18, 1:36, 1:72 or perhaps even 1:432 (one card per case).

Long time readers of this newsletter will remember, just two things determine the value of footy cards…
Scarcity and Demand.

Inserts take care of the Scarcity… and if there is sufficient Demand, you have a valuable set on your hands!

So there is the tip… improve the value of your footy card set by adding the Insert Cards to your collection!

You may be unsure what Insert cards are included in the 2007 releases, so here is a small sample to tide your appetite.

Some of the Insert Cards from the AFL Supreme Series include:

• 2006 All Australian Team (1:8)
• Medal Winners 2006 (1:36)
• AFL 2007 Hall of Fame Series III (1:1)

And the Insert Cards from the NRL Invincible Series:

• Club Player of the Year 2006 (1:8)
• NRL Team of the Year 2006 (1:18), Or the
• All Star Inserts from the 2006 Invincible Series (1:8)

When you find a Premiership Predictor YOU WILL recognise it immediately.

The card itself will congratulate you on finding a redemption card and it will explain that it could entitle you to a set of Limited Edition cards.

There are two ways to redeem a Premiership Predictor.

1. Collect ALL 16 Team Predictor Cards, and redeem the Mini Premiership Card Collection of the Grand Final winning team, PLUS a limited edition set. In the NRL the set is an Enforcer Set featuring one player from each team, whereas in the AFL the set features Draft Picks from rounds 2 to 4, featuring one player from each team.
2. Collect the Predictor Card for just the Grand Final winning team and redeem the Mini Premiership Card Collection and the limited edition card for that team only (Enforcer or Draft Pick).

Whichever way you collect them, when you redeem your card with Select, it is extremely important that you carefully follow all the instructions on the card.

You need to send your cards to:

Mailguard Services
Locked Bag 11
PO MONA VALE, NSW 2103

We HIGHLY recommend you send them via registered post for your own security and peace of mind — these are valuable cards afterall.

As it says on the card, you MUST send your redemption card along with a Stamped Self Addressed Registered Mail envelope. Select advise that failure to follow the instructions as described on the card could mean either a delay in the return of your card, or perhaps even not receiving your card at all.

At Footy Stars we encourage you to carefully follow ALL the instructions as carefully as possible to avoid disappointment.

We also recommend that if you’ve got the right cards, you send them in to Select NOW. Numbers are issued strictly in order of receipt which means if you want a low number set you need to get in quickly.

Normally in this section we talk about Ultra Pro Accessories… but this month… something a tiny bit different, but still related to Ultra Pro.

This month we will take a quick look at the Official Footy Card Folders produced by Select with each new Series release.

We personally use the Official Folders to keep our personal collection in first class condition.

Combined with Ultra Pro 9 Pocket Pages, the Official Folders not only protect your collection from dirt, dust and damage, they provide you with an attractive presentation folder that you can use to show your cards to friends and other collectors.

The front design of the folders matches the design of the cards integrating the entire package into one neat place.

To see AFL Folders from 2005, 2006 and 2007 click here:

To see the NRL Folders from 2006 and 2007 click here:

One thing is certain… protect your cards properly using quality accessories and they will provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment.

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All the Ultra Pro Accessories mentioned in this newsletter at great prices on our website at:
http://www.footystars.com.au/store/ultrapro-c -25.html

Each month we highlight a different Ultra Pro item, taking a look at who uses it and why, and discussing if it will suit your requirements.