Exquisite Announcement!

Jun 6 2006 10:11AM

By Keith Hower

Upper Deck, in what is becoming their traditional last minute announcement, confirmed this morning that UD Exquisite Collection is returning for a third year. The first two releases have already established themselves as two of the hobby's most influential and valuable sets. 2003-04 Exquisite includes the high flying RCs of LeBron James ($11,000), Dwyane Wade ($6,000) and Carmelo Anthony ($2,800); and 2004-05 Exquisite is responsible for delivering Dwight Howard ($1,600) and Ben Gordon ($1,000). This year's 2005-06 release is already poised for success, with a rookie class that includes New Orleans point guard phenom, Chris Paul, Milwaukee's big man, Andrew Bogut, and two up-and-coming guards in Deron Williams of Utah and Raymond Felton of Charlotte.

Cost on the product's three-pack cases, according to the press release, is $1,215 per ($405 per pack) which will likely start pack prices in the vicinity of $600 to $750 depending on how quickly the initial packs sell.

Pack arrival date is scheduled for June 15th, and the set breaks down as follows:

Base Set and Parallels

Veteran Player Cards – (#'d to 225)
Veteran Cards Gold - (#'d to 25)
Veteran Cards Rainbow - (#'d to 1)
Veteran Cards Jersey - (#'d to 25)
Veteran Cards Patch - (#'d to 10)
Veteran Cards Autographed Patch - (#'d to 1)
Rookie Patches Level 2 (Signed) – (#'d to 225)
Rookie Patches Level 1 (Signed) – (#'d to 99)
Rookies Level 2 (Signed) – (#'d to 225)
Rookie Patches Level 2 (Signed) Gold - (#'d to Player's Jersey #)
Rookie Patches LV 1 (Signed) Gold - (#'d to Player's Jersey #)
Rookies Level 2 (Signed) Gold - (#'d to Player's Jersey #)
Rookies Gold - (#'d to 25)
Rookies Rainbow – (#'d to 1)

Insert Sets

Exquisite Autographed Patches – (#'d to 100)
Noble Nameplate Autographed Patch Cards – (#'d to 25)
Limited Logo Oversized Autographed Patch Cards – (#'d to 50)
Extra Exquisite Jerseys – (#'d to 25)
Extra Exquisite Dual Jerseys (featuring two swatches) – (#'d to 10)
Auto Extra Exquisite Jerseys – (#'d to 5)
Dual Extra Exquisite Jerseys (featuring two subjects) – (#'d to 10)
Autographed Dual Jerseys – (#'d to 5)
Scripted Swatches Autographed Patch Cards – (#'d to 25)
Dual Scripted Swatches Autographed Patch Cards – (#'d to 5)
Emblems of Endorsement Autographs – (#'d to 15)
Exquisite Trios – (#'d to 10)
Exquisite Foursomes – (#'d to 3)
All NBA Access Triple NBA Logoman Patch Cards – (#'d to 1)
Autographed Dual NBA Logoman Patch Cards – (#'d to 1)
Exquisite Number Pieces – (#'d to Player's Jersey #)
Dual Exquisite Number Pieces (#'d to Player's Jersey #)
Exquisite Enshrinement Autographs – (#'d to 25)

The previous year's pack prices have both more than doubled since their release date, so if you're considering purchasing or investing in UD Exquisite Collection, the sooner you buy, the better. Exquisite offers one of the basketball hobby's quickest and highest-return investment opportunities. Don't miss your chance to purchase both packs and single cards as everything from this product is a proven winner.