When National Treasures was released, there was a lot of buzz generated by the fact that they were inserting redemptions for a card that contained all 36 signatures from the photo shoot class. Once the first card was pulled and redeemed, Panini put a video up on their site that showed the makeup of the card, only to prove how ridiculously horrid the results turned out to be.

The redeemed card has been posted on eBay, and its pretty obvious the video’s preview was not doing much other than highlighting the shortcomings of the execution. What could have been a cool idea, instead turned out to be 36 signed swatch cards held together with what looks to be tape.

2011 National Treasures Rookie Class Patch Auto 36 Signature Card

Its one thing to put together a card that brings value to a product in a gimmicky way. Creating a card with 36 signers is a cool thing if you can execute on the idea in a way like I think will happen this year. Doing a crappy job, with signed swatches instead of a signed card is not only a cop out, but is lazy and ugly too. The worst part has to be the orientation of the connection pieces, as this card, done vertically is completely impractical and unfair to the person who buys it. At least horizontally, its much easier to figure out how to frame and put it on a wall, but Panini never has that kind of consideration. Like the video cards, it became about who was first, rather than who was best, and that is never a good thing. Just wait, I can guarantee that someone will do a much better job of this card for 2012. You know why? Very simple. When other companies see something done with no planning and a lack of execution, their first reaction is not “wow, that sucks.” Their first reaction is “Wow, we can do that a whooooooole lot better.”

Obviously doing this in booklet form is necessary because there is no way to fit 35 players on two card surfaces. However, if planned correctly, getting all of the signatures done ON AN ACTUAL CARD during the scheduled signing is possible for a product later in the year. Its not impossible, and the results would be incredible.

Panini has already started solicitation of their 18 products this year, with back to back to back releases of a parade of forgettable brands. If execution continues to be what it is in this card, Topps is going to get a lot of converted collectors who clamor for their consistent design excellence and content in their products.