Pro Football Hall of Fame card set adds new immortals

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has added another layer to its Bronze Bust Collector Cards – but only for a short while.

For a limited time, the 2010 class of Russ Grimm, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are included in this exclusive card release, which is limited to 150 autographed sets. The Bronze Bust Collector Card series represents the most exclusive card collection ever offered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

More than 135 cards are signed by the likes of Don Shula, Gale Sayers, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway and Joe Montana.

The original set came out right before Christmas in 2009, but was two years in the making. The artwork was developed, cards proofed and then sent out to get signed by the living HOF members. Once the cards came back, they were hand-numbered, authenticated and placed into the collectible binders.

“It’s been a long process, but worth it,” said Michelle Hunt, HOF museum store manager. “This set is absolutely beautiful and unique.”

The set features 260 hand-numbered cards with high-resolution photos of the sculpted bronze portrait of each Hall of Fame and priced at $5,000 per set.

The HOF has sold 19 of its 150 limited sets. Collectors who bought the cards previously don’t have to worry missing out on the cards for the newest class. Those who purchased the set previously will receive the cards as a special offer.

The 2010 class includes some of the all-time greats with Rice and Smith. Both players are fan favorites and are cheered wherever they go (well, except for maybe Smith in New York). Their addition to the set should heighten interest.

These cards are only available by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a binder with the Hall of Fame logo on the cover.

Collectors can purchase the set by calling 1-800-869-8207 or ordering it online at profootballhof.com

Susan Lulgjuraj is a contributing editor for Beckett Media. You can email Susan here. Follow her on Twitter here.