FIRST LOOK: 2018-19 THE CUP

The most anticipated set of the 2018-19 season is almost here. Upper Deck has finally teased the late-October release of The Cup...and it looks like it will be well worth the wait. The ultrapremium brand is set to deliver an enviable checklist filled with on-card autographs, massive patches and the hobby’s biggest names, with each sixcard tin promising a pair of autograph patch cards, on average.

The main set is dotted with several subsets. Veterans are numbered to 249, as is the Rookie Class of 2019 subset. Team Canada Juniors Retro cards are limited to 149. Parallels for all three include Gold Spectrum Foil Auto (/12), Gold Foil Patch (/8), Gold Foil Auto Patch (/8), Green Foil Button (/3),

Green Foil Button Auto (/3), Red Foil Tag (/2), Red Foil Tag Auto (/2), Black Foil Auto (1/1), Black Foil Shield Logo Patch (1/1), and Black Foil Shield Logo Auto Patch (1/1). Rookie Class of 2019 cards also have Autographs (/75), Red Auto Inscription (/5), and Black Auto Inscription (1/1), while Team Canada Juniors Retro cards also have Auto Button (/3), Auto Tag (/2) and Black Auto Patch (1/1).

ROOKIE CARDS

As usual, Rookie Auto Patch cards come in two tiers. Tier 1 has a print runs of 249, with Tier 2 RPAs limited to just 99.

Parallels include Gold Spectrum (Tier 1 – /36, Tier 2 – /24), Gold Foil (Tier

1 – /24, Tier 2 – /12), Green Foil Button (/3), Red Foil Tag (/2), and Black Foil (1/1). Non-signed parallels include Gold Spectrum Foil (/36 or less) and Black Foil (1/1).

There will also be a handful of signature-only RCs, with base versions /249 and a roster of parallels similar to the RPAs.

AUTOGRAPHS AND MEMORABILIA CARDS

Trilaterals are new and come in a couple of different versions, with patches and/or autographs.

Hall of Fame 75th and 25th Autographed Anniversary Patch cards (1:6 packs) also debut.

Returning inserts include Limited Logos (/50 or less), Honorable Numbers (/players’ jersey number), Enshrinements (/99 or less) Enshrinements Duos (/25 or less), Scripted Sticks (/15), Dual Scripted

Sticks (/5), Brilliance (1:10), Signature Renditions (1:7), and Signature Renditions Combos (1:100). e Show, inspired by Upper Deck Authenticated shadowbox memorabilia, also returns, with Rookies (1:60) and Veterans (1:120).

Other offerings include Program of Excellence Autographs (/10) and Duals (/5). Cup Trios (/33), Quads (/12) and Sixes (/6) jersey cards combine multiple players with a full slate of premium material and button parallels.

Cup Foundations (/25) offer a quartet of swatches, with Autographs (/15) and Patches (/3). Also look for Cup Foundations Rookies (/49), Autos (/15) and Patches (/10).

e booklet program is highlighted by Auto Monumental Patches (1/1) that offer two halves from the same large swatch, along with Auto Pro Gear Jersey Patch (/12) and Ticket Booklets.

e key throwback set is Rookie Autograph Patch Tributes. ese draw inspiration from the 2005-06, 201011, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 designs, with each card limited to 10.

e Cup also features two “bonus” brands. Splendor insert themes include Autographs (/36), Patches (/36), Autograph Patches (/36), Rookie Patches (/36) and Rookie Autograph Patches (/36).

e third and final installment of 2018-19 Exquisite Hockey is also in e Cup. Exquisite Rookie Auto Patch cards are numbered to the player’s jersey number. ese also have one-of-one Shield parallels. Exquisite Endorsements (/50 or less) and Exquisite Endorsements Rookies (/50) can also be found.