Wallace & Gromit are heading into the world of premium trading cards. Iconic Cards has announced a licensing agreement with Aardman to create an officially licensed collection based on the beloved animated franchise.
The Irish publisher plans to launch its first release under the agreement in November. The collection will arrive as Aardman celebrates its 50th anniversary.
A Premium Collection Built for Adult Fans
Iconic Cards is designing the collection specifically for adult fans and collectors. The cards will combine familiar characters and memorable film moments with collectible material connected directly to the franchise.
Special inserts will include cards autographed by voice actors and clay relic cards containing authentic clay supplied by Aardman. Collectors can also find Nick Park sketch cards, The Royal Mint coin cards and lenticular scene cards among the special releases.
The production run will be limited to 4,000 boxes. Each box will include one guaranteed on-card autograph and either a guaranteed clay relic or lenticular card.
Collectors will also receive four foil packets of base cards in every box. The limited production and guaranteed premium cards position the release as a collector-focused celebration of the franchise.
Iconic Cards Celebrates the Craft Behind the Films
Iconic Cards founder and chief executive officer Laurence Carpenter said the franchise fits naturally with the company’s approach to collecting. He said the physical elements of the cards can help fans connect with both the characters and the craftsmanship behind the movies.
“’Wallace & Gromit’ is a wonderful fit for Iconic Cards,” Carpenter said. “The characters inspire such affection, and we want to give fans a new way to connect with them and with the craft behind the films.”
Carpenter pointed to the autographs and authentic Aardman clay as examples of that connection. Those elements turn pieces of the filmmaking process into collectibles fans can physically own.
“An actor’s autograph or a piece of authentic Aardman clay makes that physical connection through something you can actually hold in your hand,” Carpenter said. “For us, collecting is also about community.”
He added that Iconic Cards wants the experience to extend beyond individual cards. Opening boxes, discovering inserts and sharing those finds with other collectors are intended to be part of the appeal.
“We want people to enjoy opening boxes and packs, sharing what they find and connecting with other fans,” Carpenter said. “It is a pleasure to be developing these cards as Aardman celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary.”
Aardman Marks 50 Years With a New Collectible
Aardman licensing manager Hannah McFarlane said the trading card release offers another way to celebrate the studio’s five decades of animation. The collection brings together its characters, creative process and craftsmanship in a new format.
“We’re delighted to be working with Iconic Cards on this very special ‘Wallace & Gromit’ collection,” McFarlane said. “Aardman’s 50th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship and characters that fans have loved for generations, and these cards bring all of that together in a really imaginative way.”
McFarlane said the companies have also built surprises into the collection for fans to uncover. “We can’t wait for fans and collectors to discover all the surprises in the collection,” she said.
The officially licensed Wallace & Gromit trading card collection is scheduled to debut in November. With autographs, original artwork, authentic Aardman clay and a limited production run, the release gives longtime fans a new way to collect a piece of the franchise’s history.
