Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard is proving to be hard to get. The Washington Redskins have been unable to sign their first-round draft pick and get him in uniform.
AW Cards has done both. It has signed Howard to an exclusive NFL trading-card contract for the 1992-93 season.
"We believe Desmond Howard is the most exciting rookie in the NFL," says Harlan Werner, AW's chairman of the board. "If collectors are interested in Howard cards, they will have to come to us if they want him in a Redskins uniform."
The uniform, of course, is the key. No other set will have him in it. Howard appears in Classic's draft picks set -- in his Michigan uniform.
This marks AW's first season as an NFL licensee. Its 300-card set will be available in 12-card foil packs and should be on dealers' shelves in September.
All card-front tops feature the middle portion of a rippling American flag (a Canadian flag appears on AW's 1992 Canadian Football League cards). Look for randomly inserted cards with ,, foil-embossed stars and stripes as well as cards autographed by Howard, Joe Namath and Jim Brown. Namath and Brown have also signed exclusive contracts with AW and will be featured in a
legends subset.
Brooks Robinson coin
The Junior Deputy Sheriffs of Little Rock, Ark., have turned to commemorative coins to raise money for their youth programs and honor Arkansas' five Hall of Famers. Former Orioles third baseman and Little Rock native Brooks Robinson is on the first coin. The limited-edition silver coin, from Utah's Liberty Mint, has Robinson's likeness on one side and the Junior Deputy badge on the other. Coins are $100 each. Send checks to Junior Deputy Sheriff, 2500 Cantrell, Little Rock, Ark. 72202.
Montgomery County baseball
Fans in search of baseball memorabilia -- and history -- should try the Montgomery County Historical Society (103 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville). "Play Ball! Baseball in Montgomery County" will be there until Aug. 15. The exhibit focuses on amateur teams in the county as well as the Orioles, Washington Senators and the Negro League Homestead Grays (who played in Griffith Stadium).
Comic Ball changes sports
This month, after three forays into baseball, the Looney Tune All-Stars try football. They get All-Pro help in the Comic Bowl game from Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Jerry Rice and Thurman Thomas. Comic Ball IV comes in 12-card foil packs, and the 198-card Upper Deck set includes 10 18-card stories. Again, custom albums that display the stories are available, and it takes two albums for the set.
Hologram switch
When Upper Deck's 800-card factory sets come out in August, collectors will see something different -- gold-foil holograms on card backs instead of silver ones. Sets will be sealed and come boxed. The 100-card high series includes photos of traded players in their new uniforms, rookies and special cards for Eddie Murray's 400th home run and Rickey Henderson's 1,000th stolen base.
"Mint" cards
Auto racing fans should check the candy counter in August for a special six-card set produced by Pro Set featuring the Bobby Allison Motorsports team. Tic Tac mints is a sponsor of Allison's car, and cards come two to a four-pack of Tic Tacs.
Action Packed baseball
Action Packed is turning to baseball with All Star Gallery cards. The series salutes 84 All-Stars. In each foil pack of seven, there will be a card of a Hall of Famer. There are no factory sets, but there will be randomly inserted 24k gold-leaf-stamped cards of all players.
Upcoming events
C7
Today, USA Sportcard Classic, Virginia State Fair
grounds Exhibit Hall, Richmond, Va., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expected signers include Yogi Berra, Stan Musial, Luis Aparicio and Al Kaline.
Wednesday, baseball card show, Security Holiday Inn (I-695, Exit 17), 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., (410) 922-8366.
Friday, baseball card show, Comfort Inn-Airport (I-695, Exits 5 and 6A), 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., (410) 922-8366.
Aug. 8-9, baseball card show, Pikesville Hilton, Aug. 8 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (expected signers are Todd Frohwirth, Elrod Hendricks, Chris Hoiles, Chito Martinez, Mike Mussina and David Segui), Aug. 9 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (expected signers are Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson), (410) 542-9483.