Bench Warmer International is a company that produces trading cards featuring female models. Bench Warmer International is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of collectible trading cards in the U.S.[1] Its motto is "Trading Cards Never Looked So Good". Models are generally featured in swimsuits, wearing baseball gloves or football helmets. A few of the first models featured were Baywatch actresses Cory Givens and Traci Bingham.
Founded in 1992, Bench Warmer International, Inc. is the creation of Brian Wallos.
Most series typically consist of 100 cards. These series traditionally include 60 different model cards, complete with "stats", biographical information on each model, "Replay" cards, "Double Play" cards, "Series 2 Preview" cards and checklist cards for the enthusiast collector.
Insert cards tend to feature Authentic Bikini Swatch Cards cards with a piece of a bikini worn by Bench Warmer celebrities. To increase collectibility, 25 cards are signed by each celebrity. Other inserts include 20 different autographed cards; 12 "All American Chromium" cards; eight "Hottie Chromium" cards; and eight 5" x 7" "Jumbo" cards.
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Celebrity connection
A key element for the popularity and identification brand is the celebrity element. Over the years, models who have appeared on the wrappers and boxes throughout the years have included Jaime Bergman, Brande Roderick, Nikki Schieler and Victoria Silvstedt and Valentina. Reality television star Megan Hauserman also has appeared on several Benchwarmer cards. In looking to capitalize on the popularity of inserts commonly found in sports cards (for example, autographed and jersey cards), Benchwarmer would release their own insert cards featuring bikini swatches and autographs.
The models who have appeared on the Benchwarmer cards themselves have been a veritable who's who of Playboy models and future WWE Divas including Christy Hemme and Candice Michelle. TNA Knockouts have recently been seen in the 2008 Signature Series set and they include Traci Brooks, Gail Kim, and Christy Hemme.
Cindy Margolis auction
An e-Bay auction featuring a "Bikini Swatch Card" autographed by Cindy Margolis netted $335 in an auction on eBay.com.[2] The card was numbered #22 out of only 25 autographed. It was sold in a 25-bid auction that began at $5 and climbed all the way to $335. In addition to being a signed and numbered limited edition, the "Swatch" card features a piece of a bathing suit that was actually worn by Margolis, once known as the web's "Most Downloaded Woman."[3]
Appearances by Playmates
- Megan Hauserman
- Tamara Witmer
- Katie Lohmann
- Jaime Bergman
- Lauren Michelle Hill
- Tina Marie Jordan
- Brande Roderick
- Nikki Schieler
- Victoria Silvstedt
- Tiffany Taylor
- Colleen Shannon
- Devin DeVasquez
References
- ^ Market Wire (2008-10-21). "Bench Warmer Trading Cards Salute 2008 Presidential Race With Limited Edition Political Satire Cards". Press release. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS195200+21-Oct-2008+MW20081021. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Business Wire (2002-12-19). "Cindy Margolis Bench Warmer Swatch Card Fetches $335 on eBay!". Press release. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Dec_19/ai_95622911/. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Sieberg, Daniel (2000-09-08). "Guinness Records revises 'Most Downloaded Woman' title". CNN. http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/09/08/downloaded.woman/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
External links
- Bench Warmer Official Web Site
- Benchwarmer "Back-to-School" Party, Hollywood, CA - May 28, 2009
- Benchwarmer Party, Hollywood, CA - April 17, 2009
- Cindy Margolis Bench Warmer Swatch Card Fetches $335 on eBay!
- Benchwarmer Holiday Party 2008 on Fox 11 News - Part 1
- Benchwarmer Holiday Party 2008 on Fox 11 News - Part 2
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