With Upper Deck's December 2002 release of the seven-card Ultimate Collection “Signed Excellence” series, Ichiro collectors are treated to or teased by, depending on your circumstances eight new cards bearing Ichiro's signature.
Individually they are:
Signed Excellence - 56 Steals in 2001 #I1.
    (56 numbered cards made.)
Signed Excellence - 51 Hits in August 2001 #I2.
    (51 numbered cards made.)
Signed Excellence - 23 Game Hitting Streak in 2001 #I3.
    (23 numbered cards made.)
Signed Excellence - Tied ALDS record with 12 hits in 2001 #I4.
    (12 numbered cards made.)
Signed Excellence - Tied ALDS record with 12 hits in 2001 #I4 Gold.
    (1 numbered card made.)
Signed Excellence #I5.
    (Unnumbered short print. Though exact quantity is not specified, it is between 50 and 100.)
Signed Excellence #I6.
    (Unnumbered short print. Though exact quantity is not specified, it is between 50 and 100.)
All of these are rare and valuable to varying extents, depending on the edition sizes, though the crown jewel of the pack is the I4 Gold parallel. (Note the numbers 1 through 6 are preceded by an "I," for Ichiro, and not the numeral "1.")
What makes I4 Gold so special is that it is a signed one-of-one masterpiece. And while there are many 1/1 Ichiro cards and dozens of other signed cards this gem was the first SIGNED 1/1 Ichiro card ever made!
About a year-and-a-half later, UD issued two more signed one-of-ones as part of their 2004 SP Collection, and there will surely be others in the future.
Still, I4 Gold will remain a real prize as the very first 1/1 card offically signed by Ichiro before leaving the factory.
For a complete list of all signed Ichiro cards click here.
Donruss 2001 Donruss 2002 Donruss 2003 |
Fleer 2001 Fleer 2002 Fleer 2003 |
Topps 2001 Topps 2002 Topps 2003 | Upper Deck 2001 Upper Deck 2002 Upper Deck 2003 |
Other Brands |
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Factory-issued One of One Cards | Cards with Authentic Ichiro Signature |
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BBM (Japan) |
Calbee (Japan) |
Takara (Japan) |
Upper Deck (Japan) |
Other Brands |
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