penguinsChief
Verified Trader,
Everyone,
Before I show the card that arrived, I have to give some background on what this is all about and why it has been so hard to find. So to start off back in 1997 Pinnacle & Gillette did a promo with a Pittsburgh based grocery store chain called Giant Eagle.
They did a set of 18 cards and a parallel set of 18 gold cards called Mario's Moments. The cards are full color front and have black backgrounds on the back. They came in 3 card packs, with the gold version being random. To note the gold version only had Mario's name on the front in gold foil, easy to miss if you were not aware. Now, on the packages it does NOT mention any kind of a signature card. However, in all the checklists that exist there is a NNO version auto that was rumored to exist. I had searched for this card at every show, expo, eBay, Google Photos, Yahoo Photos and any other online listing I could find. Until now, NO LUCK!
Well, about 2 months ago I came across something that mentioned this mystery auto. The reference was that it was NOT packed out, but that it was a giveaway/gift. So for the first time, I had a lead on this bugger, now it was a matter of finding out who or how people got these. I started going back to old collectors who might be familiar, and talking to anyone and everyone to see what they knew. When I mentioned the giveaway/gift it sparked some conversation that yeah maybe that was it. However, still no proof and no concrete confirmation.
As luck would have it a seller posted a full set or Gold cards for sale on eBay, and one of them was autographed. This was no rush job like I have seen before, but a beautiful blue sharpie auto, that is as nice as any that I have in my collection. I reached out to the seller and asked if the card was a NNO and what else he knew. Well, no luck it is actually numbered (11). Although he had a story to go with it.
He bought the set from a former manager of a grocery store chain in Quebec. The manager got it from another manager who got it from a sales rep (assuming Gillette). So that matches up to what I was finding out. Then I lost track of the card (got busy with work, holiday's, kids you know the drill).
I happen to attend a local mall show here outside Pittsburgh and was walking around talking to a bunch of the dealers, and there was a new guy I had not seen before. I approached him and started to talk to him and come to find out he is also a HUGE Mario collector, has been longer than I have. We were talking about rookies and what not, got into rare cards and I mentioned trying to get one of every one of his pre-2000 cards. I also mentioned a couple of cards that I have not seen in a while or had never seen. He asked which ones I had not seen and mentioned the Giant Eagle auto. Even before I could say anything he states "oh you mean the one that was given to all the regional managers as part of a set?". I damn near choked when he said it, and sure enough he confirmed the story! He knew about them but never pursued one, but knew that it was a microscopic needle in a haystack. I am thrilled because now, after all these years it has been confirmed.
So, what is the first thing I do when I get home, hit eBay and see what I can find. Results, nothing at all. I was bummed to say the least. Now, I thought to myself change the search and broaden the search with less info. Guess what pops up in my very next search? You got it the same seller who had the set before, and the same gorgeous card. Now I full on message mode and try to secure this puppy before I lose it again. Did not take long and we had an agreement. Screw the mortgage this month, I had to have it!
Needless to say, today was a super day because the package from Quebec arrived and the end of the whale tale was here. Sorry for the long read, but I know of several other Lemieux collector's looking for this one and they are going to be very jealous when they see it. Without further adieu I present the:
1997-98 Pinnacle Giant Eagle Mario's Moments Autograph
Before I show the card that arrived, I have to give some background on what this is all about and why it has been so hard to find. So to start off back in 1997 Pinnacle & Gillette did a promo with a Pittsburgh based grocery store chain called Giant Eagle.
They did a set of 18 cards and a parallel set of 18 gold cards called Mario's Moments. The cards are full color front and have black backgrounds on the back. They came in 3 card packs, with the gold version being random. To note the gold version only had Mario's name on the front in gold foil, easy to miss if you were not aware. Now, on the packages it does NOT mention any kind of a signature card. However, in all the checklists that exist there is a NNO version auto that was rumored to exist. I had searched for this card at every show, expo, eBay, Google Photos, Yahoo Photos and any other online listing I could find. Until now, NO LUCK!
Well, about 2 months ago I came across something that mentioned this mystery auto. The reference was that it was NOT packed out, but that it was a giveaway/gift. So for the first time, I had a lead on this bugger, now it was a matter of finding out who or how people got these. I started going back to old collectors who might be familiar, and talking to anyone and everyone to see what they knew. When I mentioned the giveaway/gift it sparked some conversation that yeah maybe that was it. However, still no proof and no concrete confirmation.
As luck would have it a seller posted a full set or Gold cards for sale on eBay, and one of them was autographed. This was no rush job like I have seen before, but a beautiful blue sharpie auto, that is as nice as any that I have in my collection. I reached out to the seller and asked if the card was a NNO and what else he knew. Well, no luck it is actually numbered (11). Although he had a story to go with it.
He bought the set from a former manager of a grocery store chain in Quebec. The manager got it from another manager who got it from a sales rep (assuming Gillette). So that matches up to what I was finding out. Then I lost track of the card (got busy with work, holiday's, kids you know the drill).
I happen to attend a local mall show here outside Pittsburgh and was walking around talking to a bunch of the dealers, and there was a new guy I had not seen before. I approached him and started to talk to him and come to find out he is also a HUGE Mario collector, has been longer than I have. We were talking about rookies and what not, got into rare cards and I mentioned trying to get one of every one of his pre-2000 cards. I also mentioned a couple of cards that I have not seen in a while or had never seen. He asked which ones I had not seen and mentioned the Giant Eagle auto. Even before I could say anything he states "oh you mean the one that was given to all the regional managers as part of a set?". I damn near choked when he said it, and sure enough he confirmed the story! He knew about them but never pursued one, but knew that it was a microscopic needle in a haystack. I am thrilled because now, after all these years it has been confirmed.
So, what is the first thing I do when I get home, hit eBay and see what I can find. Results, nothing at all. I was bummed to say the least. Now, I thought to myself change the search and broaden the search with less info. Guess what pops up in my very next search? You got it the same seller who had the set before, and the same gorgeous card. Now I full on message mode and try to secure this puppy before I lose it again. Did not take long and we had an agreement. Screw the mortgage this month, I had to have it!
Needless to say, today was a super day because the package from Quebec arrived and the end of the whale tale was here. Sorry for the long read, but I know of several other Lemieux collector's looking for this one and they are going to be very jealous when they see it. Without further adieu I present the:
1997-98 Pinnacle Giant Eagle Mario's Moments Autograph
