Sticker Collecting and Super Stickers: Where Nostalgia and Modern Collectibles Converge

VeeFriends
VeeFriends
Published in
4 min readAug 25, 2023

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Sticker collecting has evolved into a dynamic global industry, uniting people with a shared passion for characters, sports, and collecting. First hitting the collectibles scene in the 1950s, this collector-base is a community woven with threads of nostalgia, creativity, and discovery. The hobby spans from vintage sticker packs that adorned childhood binders, to vending machine stickers from local grocery stores, and the beloved Panini stickers all truly capture the essence of sports and pop culture. The world of stickers offers a unique and exciting way to collect your favorite characters, celebrities, and athletes, and has continued to grow for decades.

The Tradition of Sticker Collecting

Iconic Characters and Stickers:

Did you know that characters like Zelda, Ninja Turtles, Sesame Street, Harry Potter, and many more actually offered stickers as their earliest collectible sets? Back in 1973, Wonder Bread included many Disney character stickers with their bread, and consumers loaf-ed them! Similarly, iconic brands from Pokemon to Marvel have creatively incorporated stickers into vending machines and consumer products alike. Even in trading card boxes such as those from Marvel and Mario, there are stickers to collect within the packs. In fact, many of the world’s most iconic characters and athletes boast their own collectible stickers — try Googling your favorites followed by “Sticker” — you’ll be amazed at what you discover!

To see the impact of stickers in sports, look no further than all-time-great Michael Jordan. In the iconic 1986 Fleer Basketball set, not only did each pack have 12 cards, but also 1 sticker! (and, one piece of chewing gum!) Michael Jordan had one sticker even pre-dating his fleer rookie card and sticker! Since these were mainly sold in vending machines outside of grocery stores, many were peeled or did not stand the test of time, making it one of the most collectible stickers. For decades, the NBA, NFL, MLB, and more have come out with new sticker collections every year.

Among the pinnacle of sticker collecting is the phenomenon of World Cup collectible stickers. These stickers unite fans from around the world, igniting a passionate celebration of their favorite teams and players. The thrill of the hunt for unique stickers ignites collectors to strategically buy, sell, and swap to find a special sticker or complete their sets — a shared endeavor that fosters a sense of community. Earlier this year, a 1/1 Lionel Messi Sticker sold for $139,200 — one of 8 soccer stickers to reach that six-figure feat! Check out this 60 minutes segment to learn more about the tradition and growth of Panini’s World Cup stickers.

Similar to trading cards, collectible stickers are an exciting way for VeeFriends to build brand awareness and create engaging experiences. By embracing the world of sticker collecting, we can draw inspiration from its rich history and global camaraderie, infusing our own characters with the same enthusiasm and spirit that drives collectors worldwide.

What are the VeeFriends Super Stickers?

VeeFriends Super Stickers are limited edition, trading-card sized prism stickers aimed to bring together nostalgia, modern collectibles, and community. They pay homage to the golden days of early Pokémon and the allure of 1980’s Prism vending machine stickers. These stickers embody the passion and excitement that fueled the earlier days of card collecting, a sentiment we strive to carry forward in the VeeFriends community.

Past Releases:

There have been a total of 20 Super Stickers released so far. Super Stickers are officially accepted for grading with top companies, including PSA and CGC!

2023 National Sports Collectors Convention: July 26–30, 2023

The inaugural VeeFriends Super Stickers were released at the 2023 National Sports Collectors Convention, the world’s largest collectibles show! Exclusive to the show’s VIPs and vendors, one free Super Sticker was provided inside their VIP bags upon entry to the show. At the event, lucky recipients had the option to trade them in at VeeFriends booth for a prize, or keep them for their collections. This wave of 19 stickers are specially marked as Limited Edition with a “NSCC 2023 Exclusive” badge.

NSCC 2023 Exclusive 19 Character Checklist:

Rare Robot /55

Hustling Hamster /99

Bullish Bull /99

Eager Eagle /99

Headstrong Honey Badger /99

Warm Wolverine /99

Hype Horse /99

Big Game Bandicoot /499

Considerate Cowboy /499

Decisive Duck /499

Focused Falcon /499

Consistent Cougar /499

Hungry Hammerhead /499

Logical Lion /499

Protective Panther /499

Tranquil Toad /499

Versatile Viking /499

Bashful Blobfish /499

O.G. Ox /499

2023 Reebok VeeFriends Aspiring Alpaca Sneakers: August 17, 2023

The VeeFriends Aspiring Alpaca Super Sticker combined streetwear, pop culture, and collectibles. Exclusive to shop.VeeFriends.com, these stickers came for free with presale purchases of Reebok x VeeFriends Aspiring Alpaca sneakers. For the first time, Super Stickers featured five different rarity variations, and every sticker was pre-graded by CGC, adding an extra layer of excitement to the collection. These Super Stickers, including both their rarity and grade, are to be completely randomized upon fulfillment.

Complete variations checklist:

Green Ice /399

Red Ice /299

Pink Ice /199

Gold Ice /99

Black Ice /10

Next Release: 👀

Super Sticker Collector’s Corner

Super Stickers have captivated collectors since their inception at the 2023 National. Collector Chad Goldthwaite embodies the enthusiasm that surrounds these pieces, boasting an impressive collection of *checks notes* 145 Super Stickers!

Other collectors rally around specific characters; Cowbunga is on the hunt for Hype Horse, and he has tracked down 23 of the 99 created!

Check out where to find Super Stickers!

Super Stickers: ACTIVE eBay listing

Super Stickers: SOLD eBay listings

VeeFriends Super Stickers unite collectors, community, and nostalgia in a super exciting way. They symbolize our commitment to curating unique and meaningful experiences, echoing the passion and sense of camaraderie that defines the world of sticker collecting. We look forward to seeing more enthusiasts delve further into the world of VeeFriends, and chat and trade with others in discord!

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