Panini America Brings Unique Gordie Howe Jersey Cards to 2012 Toronto Fall Expo

How cool was the knight-crested, Red Wings-inspired Panini America hockey jersey we had specially made for the legendary Gordie Howe to wear at our booth during the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa last season? So cool that Howe himself wanted to keep it.

Luckily for us, we had a second one made just for him to keep. As for the one Howe wore to announce his new relationship with Panini America . . . and to sign autographs shortly thereafter . . . and to rub elbows with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman not long after that (all inside the Panini America booth), well, we had other plans for that one.

And beginning later today when the doors open at the 2012 Toronto Fall Expo, lucky collectors will know exactly what those plans were. Panini America officials have transformed Howe’s special event-worn jersey into a rare handful of oversized Howe memorabilia cards inserted into the company’s 2012 Toronto Fall Expo redemption packs.

We’ve provided a quick mini gallery of some of the cards below. But before you enjoy those, it might make sense to check out scenes and a brief video documenting the day Howe wore the jersey.

Now, if only we could get images of you holding that card after you pull it at some point this weekend . . .