In The Game-Used Signature Series Sells Out Again!

This marks the second consecutive year that the brand has been snapped up by collectors. Originally introduced in 2002-03 as In The Game-Used, that product sold out before the scheduled release date. For 2003-04, In The Game-Used was combined with the ever-popular Signature Series to create another hobby hit.

"Everyone knows how competitive the market is today so I consider this quite an achievement," says In The Game President Dr. Brian H. Price. "I realize some collectors questioned why we combined In The Game-Used with our Signature Series brand, especially when that meant the price point jumped substantially for Signature Series collectors. However, we took extra measures to ensure we offered Autograph cards of all of the NHL's top players.

"Once collectors realized every pack included one high-caliber Autograph card and one top-quality game-used memorabilia card, the product virtually sold itself. We did our best to ensure the value was there and collectors responded.

"I am especially pleased because we encountered an unexpected problem in which a number of the base cards were not included in the packs," continues Price. "That could have been damaging but we arrived at what we believed was a fair solution and nearly all collectors agreed. I am grateful for their patience and support." Ê

In The Game-Used Signature Series was released on April 27, 2004. Each box contained five packs and every pack held four cards including one Autograph Card and one game-used memorabilia card. The base set consists of 200 cards including 80 sequentially-numbered Rookie Cards, many of which are autographed.

"Another interesting aspect of this product is the fact we utilized autographed labels on the cards," says Price. "I admit it was a bold move to use labels but among the advantages they offer is the elimination of redemption cards if a player doesn't return his autographs on time. I'm happy to report the majority of collectors embraced the concept."

In addition to the Autograph Rookie Cards, collectors could pursue Autograph versions of the first 120 cards in the base set. The list of players included stars such as Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla, Peter Forsberg, Rick Nash, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and retired legends like Bobby Orr, Patrick Roy and Guy Lafleur.

The product also included a wide array of game-used memorabilia sets like Game-Used Jersey, Oh Canada Emblem, Triple Memorabilia, Vintage Memorabilia, Goalie Gear and Jersey and International Experience. There are special Gold versions and Autograph versions of many of these cards as well. In total, there are 15 different game-used memorabilia sets offered in the brand. The maximum production run for any of these cards is 80, and many are produced in substantially lower quantities.

"In The Game-Used Signature Series set the table very nicely for our Ultimate Memorabilia 4th Edition which released in June," says Price. "That is another product that has performed very well and I expect it will be sold out in the near future as well."

In The Game, Inc. has produced Be A Player, In The Game and Parkhurst brands of hockey trading cards since 1998-99. The company issued a number of hockey card products in 2003-04 including In The Game-Action (released September 17), Memorabilia Series (released December 11), Original Six (six team specific releases from January to March), In The Game-Used Signature Series (released April 27), Parkhurst Rookie (released May 29), and Be A Player Ultimate Memorabilia 4th Edition (released June 30).

In The Game also launched its VIP Program in 2003-04, an initiative comprised of two additional product lines: VIP Series One and VIP Rookie Debut.