Join Beckett Sports Card Monthly‘s Chris Olds as he rips into a blaster box of 2012 Panini Americana Heroes & Legends cards in this latest Ripping Retail video.

What will he find inside? Watch and find out …

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor | Commentary

First, there were cut autographs of former U.S. Presidents, but now in 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter there’s another first.

Well, sort of. Here’s what Topps had to say Wednesday about its 200 George W. Bush autographs in Ginter:

“Our 2011 Allen & Ginter product will continue Topps’ historic tradition of chronicling heroes both on and off the playing field,” said Topps VP, Mark Sapir.  “We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s set will include limited edition autographs of our country’s 43rd President, George W. Bush – marking the first time ever that a living President has made their autographs available in a trading card product.”

The first time ever that a living president has signed for a card product.

Well, maybe a baseball product, but a few collectors (and others) were quick to point out that two other presidents had signed for card companies in the past — George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.

Bush — and his wife, Barbara — both signed for Donruss‘ 2008 Americana II (above). Meanwhile, Ford signed for a University of Michigan football set, Michigan TK Legacy, which was released in the 2000s (below).

First card signed for Topps? Yep, and that’s what our story said (but not the quote).

First card signed by a living president for a card company’s product? Nope.

The unfortunate part of the wave of national mainstream media attention that will undoubtedly help sell some cards?

Most outlets took their word for it.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Contributing Editor

Former President George W. Bush has done something no other president has done before.

Bush became the first living president to sign for Topps when 200 autographs were included in 2011 Allen & Ginter, released this week.

Presidents’ autographs have been in baseball cards as cut autographs, but this is the first time a former president has actually signed a card for the company, according to Topps.

Ten short-print red autograph versions are also available, some even have an inscription of “#43″ or “USA.”

“Our 2011 Allen & Ginter product will continue Topps’ historic tradition of chronicling heroes both on and off the playing field,” Topps vice president Mark Sapir said in a release. “We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s set will include limited edition autographs of our country’s 43rd President, George W. Bush – marking the first time ever that a living President has made their autographs available in a trading card product.”

Bush is a huge baseball fan and even owned the Texas Rangers at one point.

His Allen & Ginter card portrays him throwing out the first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series, weeks after 9/11.

One of the red autographs has already been pulled by a collector on Twitter, who posted the card Wednesday night in his feed.

In other baseball news, the man who caught Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit is apparently getting his own baseball card. Christian Lopez gave the ball back for Jeter while not asking for much in return. But that didn’t stop others from giving to the 23-year-old.

Miller Brewing Co., and Modell’s Sporting Goods have both pledged to give Lopez money to cover taxes and his student loans.

And now Topps told him he is getting his own baseball card in an upcoming product and will be a Topps employee for the day. He’ll get to pick the image for Jeter’s 2012 card as well.

“Christian Lopez is the perfect role model and embodies everything that is right in baseball,” said Mark Sapir, Topps VP.  “Topps is proud to be able to help support this young man and place his rookie card right next to all of today’s legends.”

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