Hobby Musings: Historic Autographs brings a little CHAOS to the market – Historic Autographs recently released its CHAOS product. As the name may imply, it includes some of the most notorious people in history, as well as some of the best and brightest who brought hope. Each box has 10 packs, and each pack includes a parallel card and a letter chase card for the product’s autograph bounty.
In the review box provided, the most notable parallel I pulled was a Sigmund Freud card numbered to 12. It’s not a 1/1, but it is part of Historic’s $10,000 bounty for that parallel set. It was distinct in that it had a softer stock than the rest of the cards in the box. Be sure to double check all of your card backs as that is how you will find out which parallel you have.
Controversial as some of the checklist subjects are, it was definitely different to come across a product that yielded cards of both Jonas Salk and John Wayne Gacy in the same box. Given some of the content on the text of the cards and the unsettling nature associated with some of its checklist subjects, please be careful if sharing this product with younger collectors. To find out more about how CHAOS came about, I had the chance to speak with Historic Autographs’ Kevin Heffner.
KS: Kevin, what inspired your to create your CHAOS product?
KH: We have had a product of this type for a few years. With the risque content, it was a difficult decision, but this is history and we do historically based ideas.
KS: It’s an unorthodox product/checklist to say the least. How did you decide on the subjects to include?
KH: It was easier to decide who NOT to include. Even with the worst-of-the-worst, there are just some subjects we will not put forward in our products.
KS: This isn’t a traditional hit-based product like a lot of the ones your company puts out. With that being said, what are the highlights collectors should look out for in boxes?
KH: Due to the current circumstances, our authenticators have been either shut down or delayed, so we had to improvise and use a “letter chase” program for items we currently have in stock and already authenticated. So, there are autographs of Clara Barton, Franklin D. Roosevelt, J. Edgar Hoover, Jonas Salk and James Watson.
It should be noted that the box has a printing error. The “C” in Clara Barton was noted as the short printed letter when in fact the “B” in Barton is the short print. There is $10,000 bounty for any collector who can assemble the complete 126-card set of Chaos (the # /12 edition ONLY) by December 31, 2020.
KS: What were some of the challenges you faced in putting this product together?
KH: I would not say there were any challenges, but it is dicey when you are putting some of the most horrible people ever to live in a card set, because HA does not want to offend anyone, so we did put a disclaimer on the box that the written content may be disturbing to some and parental guidance is suggested.
KS: You’ve been doing more products with base cards recently, whether it’s a product like this or your Federal League release. Is this something we can expect more of from Historic Autographs in the future?
KH: I am glad that you noticed the trend in Historic Autographs card production, because HA is dedicated to becoming known as a trading card company, as well as an autograph card product company. So yes, collectors can expect more card products (with inserts and autographs) in the future from Historic Autographs.
KS: Our country is going through a difficult time right now with the coronavirus pandemic. How has it affected Historic Autograph’s operations?
KH: Like most businesses, HA has shut down operations in the office, but the entire staff has been working from home, and we continue to put out products, both through distributors and via our website. Please take a look at the smaller run products that we have issued on www.historicautographcompany.com.
KS: Whenever things do get back to normal, what products do you have coming out in the near future?
KH: Count on us being ready when things begin to return to some sense of normalcy, This year, collectors will see Half-Century, our biggest and hopefully best Originals product to date with an original card and autograph in every card. The checklist includes pretty much every player you want from 1909-1949, including Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Napoleon Lajoie, Honus Wagner, Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby, Jimmie Foxx, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Satchel Paige and Tris Speaker.
The players listed will ALL have 3 or more examples in this (500) box release (except Gehrig who only has 2), so the odds of BIG HITS are out there. We’re also issuing POTUS, the First 36, which is our Presidents series and this one will ONLY include the first 36 Presidents (that is up to LBJ). Every box will have one Presidential autograph, (2) precious metal original coins, (1) complete 126-card set, (1) HA created special challenge coins POTUS cards and other surprises.
Visit HistoricAutographCompany.com to learn more.
Hobby Musings: Historic Autographs brings a little CHAOS to the market – Image Gallery
- Hobby Musings: London Card Show Continues Growth - April 23, 2024
- Hobby Musings: Signatures For Soldiers in Middle of Busy 2024 - April 11, 2024
- Hobby Musings: Busy and Exciting 2024 for Leaf - April 3, 2024