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Exquisite Collection Basketball Turns 5
Jul 14 2008 9:49AM
 The product that gave the term "high end" a new meaning celebrates its fifth consecutive release this year. Exquisite Collection certainly has raised the bar in terms of quality and value with sets like NBA Logoman, Numbers Pieces, Scripted Swatches and, of course, the always-desirable autographed patch Rookie Cards. It may be the only product in existence that you can identify by touch alone. Although many collectors can't afford it, its physical quality is unmatched, not to mention an always-classy design that screams value.
Exquisite Collection is already responsible for some of the most valuable Rookie Cards in the hoops hobby, and, in some cases, we're talking more than 10 times the price of the next most valuable RC for any given player.
For 2007-08, Upper Deck has expanded some popular programs and themes, including Exquisite Exclusives boxes—hand-signed outer boxes featuring 13 different players and containing exclusive cards of that player. Names include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
 Collectors will find more inscriptions autographs this year, including LeBron "Chosen One" and Dwight Howard "Superman" signatures. Packs still contain five cards: one autographed rookie patch, one autographed patch, one memorabilia or autograph, one base card and one base set 1-of-1 plate card or parallel card.
The autographed patch Rookie Cards, which are horizontal for the first time, are again numbered to either 225 or 99. We were surprised to find out that Al Horford is among the 225 group, but it should be noted that his RCs feature patches from a game-worn jersey. Kevin Durant heads up the 99 group. Returning this year are Limited Logos, Noble Nameplates, Emblems of Endorsements, Exquisite Dual Numbers, Scripted Swatches, Inscriptions and others. All autographs are on-card, of course.
 2007-08 Exquisite Collection releases July 30—in time for the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago—and carries a pack SRP of $600.
- David Lee
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