Upper Deck, founded in 1988, is primarily known for producing sports trading cards and other collectible memorabilia.  Their Upper Deck Entertainment division produces many non-game oriented multimedia companion trading card sets, and will introduce the new American Idol collectible series on April 21, 2009.

The 138 card sets will be sold in packs of five and will feature all of the top twelve contestants from the past seven seasons and the top 36 contestants from season eight.  The sets will also include cards featuring Ryan Seacrest and the four Idol judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi.  Special cards, autographed by past Idol winners, will be randomly slipped into card packs.

Each pack also gives collectors a chance to win a golden ticket for a red carpet trip to Hollywood to watch the American Idol finale.

More photos below.

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Filed under: American Idol