ITG - a lesser product ?

[philhelm]

I am relatively new to the hockey card collecting game, and I am wondering if someone can give me some information on the In The Game product.

First, are all of their cards shipped in those sealed plastic cases? What is the reasoning behind this?

Second, (yes I know eBay is not a price guide) I see many of the ITG jersey/patch/auto/s# cards going for about 50-60% of what other similar cards (The Cup, SPA, SPGU, etc) go for. Is ITG seen as a lesser product and less of a demand?

I was a little hesitant at first to bid/buy these, but I am starting to see some good value.

[hossa18sens]

ITG does not have an NHL license (so no team logo's shown on current release cards). That makes them less desirable to some collectors.

Only the Ultimate memorabilia sets come in the sealed cases. Cards from Between the Pipes and Heroes and Prospects are regular cards loose in packs.

Hope this helps

[RGM81]

I don't know how anybody out there could say that this constitutes a lesser product:













While it is true that not everybody likes awesome game-used memorabilia cards, ITG is a very popular entity in the hobby. Are they constricted by the lack of a license? Yes. But the lack of full NHL logos and a prohibition on making rookie cards with photoshoot jerseys in no way diminishes their capacity as a company nor does it lessen their products.

[30ranfordfan]

Not lesser, just different.


In my opinion, their game used Memoribilia beats the pants off both of their rivals. If seeing full action shots, and NHL logos is really important on the card..... then maybe ITG isn't for everyone..... but they've got the best memoribilia cards around.


As has already been mentioned, the cards encased in plastic are from their 'Ultimate Memoribilia' product only.... though they do have some others (like Superlative) where the cards all come in top loaders. Most of their products are just in packs, like most sports cards.

[30ranfordfan]

Not lesser, just different.


In my opinion, their game used Memoribilia beats the pants off both of their rivals. If seeing full action shots, and NHL logos is really important on the card..... then maybe ITG isn't for everyone..... but they've got the best memoribilia cards around.


As has already been mentioned, the cards encased in plastic are from their 'Ultimate Memoribilia' product only.... though they do have some others (like Superlative) where the cards all come in top loaders. Most of their products are just in packs, like most sports cards.

[adamslogik]

+1 to everything that has been said already.

ITG makes HANDS DOWN the best memorabilia cards on the market. I especially like the fact that they only use GAME WORN gear, no photo shoot or "event worn" memorabilia like Upper deck and Panini.

Their commitment to the quality of their product is outstanding. I forget where I read it (probably in a thread on here) but I read somewhere that ITG found out a certain Jersey they used (a goalie, I forget which one) for a card was not actually game used, even though it had been "authenticated" by another company. They asked any collector who pulled the card to send it back in and they would replace the swatch with one from an actual game used jersey.

[philhelm]

I don't know how anybody out there could say that this constitutes a lesser product:













While it is true that not everybody likes awesome game-used memorabilia cards, ITG is a very popular entity in the hobby. Are they constricted by the lack of a license? Yes. But the lack of full NHL logos and a prohibition on making rookie cards with photoshoot jerseys in no way diminishes their capacity as a company nor does it lessen their products.

could someone clarify what is meant by the lack of nhl license comment? was that only for certain years/releases? i can see above that the 4th card down has a montreal logo... isnt that logo precluded by a license to sell a card with said logo?

[RGM81]

The licensing refers to the ability to use NHL team and shield logos on the cards - ITG does not have that right (indeed, the NHL/PA did not even give them a hearing when they were negotiating a new agreement last year) so they have to crop out/airbrush jerseys to avoid legal issues. They used to, but in 2005 the NHL/PA gave Upper Deck an exclusive license, and in 2010 they gave it to UD and Panini.
With regards to the Price helmet having a big ole Habs logo on it...goalie masks are different. They're considered artwork and not subject to the same rules as the logo found on the player's jersey.

[Pence23]

Its already been stated but the jersey and other game worn items are the best out there

[philhelm]

The licensing refers to the ability to use NHL team and shield logos on the cards - ITG does not have that right (indeed, the NHL/PA did not even give them a hearing when they were negotiating a new agreement last year) so they have to crop out/airbrush jerseys to avoid legal issues. They used to, but in 2005 the NHL/PA gave Upper Deck an exclusive license, and in 2010 they gave it to UD and Panini.
With regards to the Price helmet having a big ole Habs logo on it...goalie masks are different. They're considered artwork and not subject to the same rules as the logo found on the player's jersey.

outstanding... exactly what i was looking for. thanks for the explanation!