Newbie (wannabe) collector with starter questions.

[icetea]

Hello everyone!

I came across to this forum and i thought i could post some important questions before diving more serious into collecting some rare and more expensive stickers.
At the moment i am interested mostly in Wc and Ec albums and stickers but some of my questions have a connection to sticker collection in general.

1. What WC albums have Hardcover versions by now?So far i seen only 2014 and 2018.Did i miss any other?

2. How to know the difference between "free" and normal versions of albums?

3. Is there different sticker sets for albums from different regions? And if so,is it a mistake if i stick for example German version of stickers into Italian album?

4. What about those fancy Iran stickers for Wc 98? Panini printed them afterwards but in terms of collectors value,are they considered fake or can i still stick them into album?

5. How to differ fake (reprint) stickers from original ones?

That would be it for now,with most likely more questions to come.

 

[Kacper13]

Hello @icetea I hope, that you'll stay with us, for long time.

According to your questions, the World Cup 2014 was the first WC tournament with hardcover albums. In 2018 we had many more different variations of this album, like with white design in France, with extra space for Mc's stickers, etc. As far, I remember in 2014 there weren't many variations of hardcover album. As well, the first collection in which we've seen hardcover album was Euro 2012. Exactly we had only both versions. Here, I mean one made specially for Germany (Die Mannschaft Posters, Neuer Coke stickers), second was issued very quietly in Netherlands. Especially now, this one is really hard to find and buy it for cheap money.

Normal versions are called albums which are paid. Free versions in most cases have yellow stripe, and it's marked as "Gratis" on price place, on backside cover. That's why most of the collectors seek in paid version.

Well, about stickers sets we can talk a lot, but explaining briefly. Panini has both stickers factories. One is placed in Brazil (Brasil - Barueri), and the second one is placed in Italy (Italy - Modena). In my eyes, the only diffrence is hue of these stickers, and sometimes quality. Sometimes, each country has their own version. For example, during Euro 2012, German stickers had purple frames and rest of the Europe had white frames. That was the only difference. During World Cup 2018, some countries had 670 stickers version, and bigger countries had 682 stickers. Just the first one, didn't have stickers with host cities posters. I suppose, that this way of distribution was addicted to fact of popularity Panini in each countries.

Those Iran stickers haven't been printed, and nextly Panini decided to give away Iran sheets with stickers in newspapers. (I'm not sure). Just correct me. Value of this sheet has increased due to quantinity in the market. Some sellers on eBay, used to print their own fakes and sell it.

About recognizing fakes you might read this article placed on German web shop with Panini stuff: Here, you go

 

[icetea]

Thanks for the help.Linking the above site made me wonder....is everything they sell really original or fakes as well?I'm asking mainly because it seems you can get WC 74 fully completed album for low as 300 eur. Looks a bit cheap to me.
Also...Picture service stickers are originals or reprints? They say it's original.Any experience in any way with what you linked?

 

[dantzig]

Welcome to the forums.

Hello everyone!

I came across to this forum and i thought i could post some important questions before diving more serious into collecting some rare and more expensive stickers.
At the moment i am interested mostly in Wc and Ec albums and stickers but some of my questions have a connection to sticker collection in general.

1. What WC albums have Hardcover versions by now?So far i seen only 2014 and 2018.Did i miss any other?

2. How to know the difference between "free" and normal versions of albums?

3. Is there different sticker sets for albums from different regions? And if so,is it a mistake if i stick for example German version of stickers into Italian album?

4. What about those fancy Iran stickers for Wc 98? Panini printed them afterwards but in terms of collectors value,are they considered fake or can i still stick them into album?

5. How to differ fake (reprint) stickers from original ones?

That would be it for now,with most likely more questions to come.

1 - Yes, just those two. Hardcover albums for major international competitions began in 2012, if not mistaken.

2 - Back cover has the info if it's paid or free. Sometimes it doesn't have anything, which probably mean it's paid anyway. Yellow stripe spine in free versions are also a hint.

3 - Yes there is, that's why we gather here to let others know those differences. As long there's not a clear difference in stickers, you can stick in whatever album you want.

4 - Iran stickers were printed afterwards, but they're still Panini, so they are valuable. However, you'll find plenty of copies (fakes) in ebay for much cheaper price. If you got any of those copies by any chance, DO NOT stick them in the album or you'll ruin it's value.

5 - Every collection has it's differences, but we already have many users here that find out how to differentiate an original from a copy. Obviously, the more older and valuable the collection is, more careful you have to be. Panini Mexico 70 is definitely the worst by far.

I would advise you to be around here whenever you need help for anything. You may also stumble across problems that can help others later.