Panini Blog From Black Friday to Father’s Day: Enjoying Joe Alaimo’s Panini America Collection

[Panini Blog]

When Rhode Island collector Joe Alaimo first contacted us about his collection of Panini America promotional sets (such as the 2011 and 2012 Black Friday, 2012 Father’s Day and 2012 National Sports Collectors Convention sets), his approach was a rather humble one. “Since I read your blog all the time, I figured that you might want to take a look at this little gem of a collection I have going,” Alaimo wrote in that initial email.
Upon deeper inspection, it turns out that there’s absolutely nothing little about Alaimo’s stash. It’s a massive, must-see spectacle filled with pieces of bona fide sports history and fueled by passion. What follows is Alaimo’s story in his own words. After you’ve read it, check out the gallery highlighting just some of the cards in his “little gem of a collection.”
Panini America Personal Collection SpotlightWho: Joe Alaimo, Cranston, R.I.What: Panini America Promotional Sets
“You know, I chose the Panini America Black Friday, Father’s Day and National Sports Collectors Convention sets because they not only represented a direct challenge to myself and what I could accomplish as a collector, but to what others could do for people that were collectors also. More than a few people have helped me out along the way in my endeavor, but it has been a lot of painstaking hours. The second reason I chose these sets was a simple one for me: I love the game-used and player-used pieces and in these promotional sets, Panini America absolutely brings it!
“Honestly, I can’t even pick just one or two cards from all the Panini America promotional product I have. A few of my pieces that are my favorites include the Aaron Rodgers game-used Super Bowl XLV pylons, the Kobe Bryant game-worn sneaker pieces and the full NBA logo I’ve completed from the 2011 NBA Finals game-used basketball. I love completing ‘puzzles’ and enjoy watching them as they come together. As far as what I’m still looking for, that would be Pro Bowl autographs from the 2011 Black Friday set and Rodgers pylons. I just scored the Calvin Johnson Pro Bowl 1/1 game-used football and I am souped about that. I’m also working hard on the 2012 Black Friday set because my son got his name from that Super Bowl and it has several different levels of meaning for me.
“I also have the Hakeem Nicks autograph card featuring the a piece of the Lucas Oil Stadium logo from a Super Bowl XLVI game-used football. I’m always looking — every day — for something I don’t have. I currently need Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson in any of the four sets I’m working on, just to have those guys. I also need a RG III Santa hat card. When the collection is so broad like this one, you always need a lot — but I’m up for the challenge and I love you guys over at Panini.
“I continue adding to my collection in an effort to complete it. Eventually, I will get there. When I do, you will see me again.”

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