Trading Cards Take a Pawsitive Turn with Westminster Kennel Club Partnership
In a surprising twist, the world of trading cards is welcoming a new breed of collectors—dog lovers! Topps, Fanatics' trading card company, has partnered with the Westminster Kennel Club to release a special line of trading cards featuring champion dogs from the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show1.
Titled "Stars of the Show," the insert cards will include 40 base cards featuring beloved champions from past shows. Among the stars is Sage, the miniature poodle who won Best in Show in 2024, making her the first female Best in Show winner since 20201.
But that's not all! The collection also includes two types of relic cards, which are particularly rare and highly sought after by collectors. These relic cards contain pieces of the Official Best in Show winner's ribbon, adding a unique touch to the collection1. The most exclusive of these are the Winner Circle Relic cards, featuring seven one-of-a-kind cards with the handler's purple winner's lapel fully inserted into the card.
The partnership came about when Westminster Kennel Club President Don Sturz was asked to autograph a trading card with one of the dogs at a show. This encounter sparked the idea of creating a series of cards featuring Westminster champions1. Sturz connected with Topps' SVP of Product Clay Luraschi, and the collaboration was set in motion.
The "Stars of the Show" insert cards are available in hobby shops and retail nationwide. They will be a special insert in Topps' 2024 Allen & Ginter set, which also features cards from all 50 states, Flags of the World, Ballpark Bites, and the World's Tallest Mountains1.
This unique collection is expected to become a hit among collectors, blending the worlds of sports and pet enthusiasts in an exciting new way.
What do you think about this new venture into the world of trading cards? It's certainly a unique twist!