Leaf Limited is getting a makeover for the 2007 season. It's still aimed at the high-end collector, but it's packing three times the content for less than double the price from last season.
Each seven-card pack (which comes in a protective wooden box) of 2007 Leaf Limited Football carries a suggested retail price of $125. Along with four numbered base cards, collectors can expect to find three memorabilia or autographed cards - at least one of which will be an autograph.
Commons
With 200 commons in the base set and a high pack price, collecting them all would take both money and some effort. Some collectors may still give it a shot, as it's one of the most intriguing base sets around, with 100 veterans numbered to 659 and 100 NFL legends numbered to 249.
All of the commons have the player set against a silver background with a football texture, and the photo fades out at the bottom making it look like the athlete is materializing out of this air. The player's name is at the top with other relevant info on the sides which have white, gray and silver foil areas.
The base cards utilize sturdy stock which is thicker than normal and very appropriate for a product in this price range. I opened one pack of Leaf Limited for this review and found Cowboys teammates Tony Romo and Terrell Owens along with former Dolphins greats Larry Csonka and Mark Duper.
Rookie Cards
A total of 155 rookie cards made their way into Leaf Limited, and they come in three very distinct varieties. The first 50 rookies appear on standard cards numbered to 399 or less, while the next 50 first-year players have autographed cards numbered to 299 or less.
The most sought after names in the 2007 NFL draft class fall into the final 55-card tier, entitled Phenoms. These cards feature a prime swatch of player-worn material showcased with an "RC" die-cut as well as an autograph. If that's not enough, they have print runs of just 99 copies.
The Phenoms also have several levels of parallels, the rarest of which is a 1-of-1 version utilizing the NFL shield off of one of the player's jerseys. All but 10 of the players have college versions as well, which keep the same theme but use prime pieces of college game-worn jerseys.
My review pack struck gold in the rookie department, as it contained a Phenoms RC of Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson.
Memorabilia and Autographed Cards
The foundation of Leaf Limited is its array of autographed and game-used cards, many of which are of the multi-swatch or multi-signature variety. Even the ones that aren't - like the Limited Cuts cut signature cards - tend to be pretty impressive.
Material Monikers Jersey #'s take a piece of game-worn jersey and put in a die-cut window shaped like the players number, then add an autographed sticker. This year's checklist runs 50 deep and includes both past and present stars.
Banner Season Materials cards celebrate significant seasons for 25 different players on cards numbered to 100, or even less for autographed or prime swatch varieties. Team Threads come in dual, triple and quad versions and show off game-worn swatches from NFL teammates.
Matching Numbers pairs up swatches from two NFL players famous for wearing the same uniform number, while Prime Pairings are autographed cards showing off two to four signatures from players from the same team or position.
Lettermen returns with entire nameplate letters from the jerseys of 40 players, including autographed versions for selected rookies. And new for 2007, Limited Slideshow cards put rookie autographs right on slides of photos taken at this year's Rookie Premiere.
That's not even a comprehensive list of all of the different inserts, but it should give you an idea of what to expect. My review pack contained a Team Threads Triples with Steelers greats Franco Harris, Joe Greene and Jack Lambert, as well as a Chester Taylor Team Trademarks with a jersey swatch cut into the shape of the Viking logo.
The Last Word
Back during my days as a card shop employee, I recall looking at Leaf Limited as a very attractive but expensive gamble. This year's configuration seems much less risky, sporting three hits per pack without watering down the checklists. In fact, Donruss actually added a variety of new memorabilia and autographed cards to go along with returning favorites.
Add in the company's continuing feel for blending the past, present and future of football and you've got a winner. The higher cost may price a few more hobbyists out of this product (though some should be available under the SRP with some searching), but this is the best edition of Leaf Limited to date and should strike the fancy of many high end collectors.