On second thought, I probably shouldn’t be too surprised. Panini stickers were never universally popular, and it makes sense: Panini is an Italian company that began producing collectible, self-adhesive trading cards in the 1960s, most famously featuring soccer players.
In 1970, Panini partnered with FIFA and released its first World Cup sticker album. Boys (and men) have gone crazy ever since — buying, collecting, and trading stickers. Regular players are usually easy to find; the real challenge lies in tracking down the superstars. Think Ronaldo, Messi, and the like.
I even have photographic evidence that this world still exists. In 2018, Colin attended a Panini soccer sticker swap meet at a shopping mall. Armed with his album and a stack of duplicates, he negotiated trades with kids he had never met before, and within minutes was fully integrated into this tiny sticker economy. No introductions needed. Stickers were the common language.
Over time, Panini expanded beyond football. Panini America now produces albums for other sports as well, including ice hockey, American football, and basketball.
And for those who aren’t interested in sports at all? That’s where the Panini Entertainment branch comes in. Stickers for Disney and other movies exist, too. My friends and I had Flashdance stickers.
Good times.
What an adorable picture of Colin! He started wheeling and dealing at a young age! So cute!!
ReplyDeleteI've never of Panini but maybe because I'm never interested in soccer or sports. I barely liked stickers until much later but still, I didn't hear about Panini stickers. Frankly, sometimes I do not even notice the brand of a product unless I have to refer to it somehow.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
lissa@postcards from the bookstore
I hadn't heard of panini stickers either - I thought paninis were only a kind of italian bread. Cigarette cards were the usual trading card of my youth - usually football - with long gone heroes like Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. Giving my age away here 🤣
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun hobby and, of course, what's better than trading?
ReplyDeleteThis is something my boys would have loved doing in their younger years. I don't think there was anything like that here.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was food, like pot stickers. I am not much of a sports spectator. I'm hoping that the World Cup will not draw too many attendance. It's ridiculously over priced.
ReplyDeleteJamie (jannghi.blogspot.com): I don't remember Panini stickers, but do remember collecting stickers of things like rainbows, unicorns, cats and flowers. I wasn't into sports either. The scratch-and-sniff stickers were also a favorite.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this so thank you for the explanation.
ReplyDeleteI remember them
ReplyDeleteNever saw panini, but my kids had Teenage Mutant Ninja cards and a few others that they liked to collect.
ReplyDelete