Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

[YankeeTiger]

Upper Deck, the shadiest of shady and corrupt trading card companies (in my opinion), has stooped to a new low by cutting up a large portion of a Federal battle flag that was somehow obtained, and inserting them into trading cards to be found in random packs of their 2012 Goodwin Champions series.
In addition to the flag they also cut up an authentic wallet belonging to an enlisted man, buttons, infantry insignia and, yes, even authentic confederate currency.
This, in my opinion, is a travesty. TO have something so rare, that men more than likely died while holding, be cut up into tiny little pieces for a profit and to be inserted as a 'chase' item for gamblers to be resold for profit on Ebay is a disgrace. /soapbox

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Aron-

I had trouble believing this until I started checking it out. This is messed up!

http://upperdeckblog.com/2012/08/upper-deck-brings-in-professor-to-review-civil-war-artifacts-in-2012-goodwin-champions/

[YankeeTiger]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

I wouldn't lie to ya Mr Zenti :)

What concerns me even more is their justification to cut the thing to shreds. If you read the comments below the blog entry you posted you will see UD says that they cut it up because it isn't the whole flag...but that looks like a hella large 'piece' of the flag on that table..enough of a 'piece' that it should be perserved in a museum or historical ctr pr even in a private collection..not cut to shreds so that gamblers can find it in a pack of their cardboard lottery tickets and resell them on ebay.
Shameful




Upon further review, they will also be putting in an authentic ambrotype photo as well??? Or cut it up?? Sheesh

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Sounds like a large garrison flag; the company claims it's already in pieces -- I've seen fragments of such a flag already for sale around Gettysburg in the various antique stores.

[YankeeTiger]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Yes but if you look above at the flag on the table..seems like an awfully large 'piece'
In fact it appears most of the section with the stars on it is all there..and judging by the pieces showing up on ebay a lot of the stripes were still there too..

meh

[jandksuttorp]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

WOW! That's just sad!


John Suttorp

[fatocat]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Sad indeed. Sad to see so many people commenting below the article how they like the idea and can't wait to get their little piece.

[YankeeTiger]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

I tried to comment but they deleted it from the blog..not suprisingly. The company is as corrupt as they come

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Sounds like a large garrison flag; the company claims it's already in pieces -- I've seen fragments of such a flag already for sale around Gettysburg in the various antique stores.

If it's been done, the trinket vendors in Goofysburg thought of it on or about July 5, 1863.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

I posted this response on their blog just now... wonder how long it will take for them to remove it.

I know a few more damaged historical artifacts you can further destroy for profit. Why not cut of the Star Spangled Banner from the Smithsonian and sell that. It already has a few pieces missing. I hear the Washington Monument is damaged from the earthquake last year, that would make a very nice item to sell off piece by piece. Oh and the 9/11 flag from the World Trade Center... that is very messed up. Sell that too.

[BrandonEnglish]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

What about this professor??? "Yes, I had the same concerns! But as Chris said, the whole team at Upper Deck and I agreed that since the flag was already cut up, torn, and therefore incomplete and in several pieces, it would actually be a respectable way to preserve and honor a flag that was otherwise essentially destroyed" - Professor Miller.

I'll say it, this guy has zero credibility. His email is listed on the bottom of the blog, I suggest we fill his inbox....davidmiller@sandiego.edu

[mike44thva]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Well that didn't take long. 4 of the cards containing pieces of the flag are already up for bidding online. I'd prefer not to link to them, but they aren't hard to find.

Hopefully, I know its an extreme long shot, a museum or person with the funds will buy them and turn them over to a museum or other institution for preservation and make sure no more damage is done.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Gents-

A Civil War flag that is "cut up" is not always but often times from the soldiers who served under the flag souveniring the flag themselves.

Many of the boys wanted their own piece of "the dear old flag" they served under after it was retired or the war was over. Often times keeping it with them and giving their families express instructions to have the cherished fabric buried with them when they passed on.

Upper Deck should be ashamed.

[musketbal]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

This is what I wrote on their blog site. Probably won't be there too long like others posts.
Brent Conner
Upper Deck,
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MORAL COMPASS? What you are doing to our Nation's Flag is sameful. Through out our Countries many military struggles the Flag has different meanings for different people, however, as the saying goes," all gave some,some gave all". I truely believe in capitalism, but there is also a line at which profit crosses a line of disrespect and greed.
New figures suggest that over 800 thousand Americans died during the four years of incredable sacrafice from both civilian as well as military service to their Countries.
Please reconsider your desicrating our greatest symbol of American's past and present.

Respectfully,
Brent Conner

[BrandonEnglish]

Re: Union Battle Flag and Other Relics cut up and put in...trading cards?

Gents-

A Civil War flag that is "cut up" is not always but often times from the soldiers who served under the flag souveniring the flag themselves.

Many of the boys wanted their own piece of "the dear old flag" they served under after it was retired or the war was over. Often times keeping it with them and giving their families express instructions to have the cherished fabric buried with them when they passed on.

Upper Deck should be ashamed.

Spot on sir! But those guys I think earned the right.