Collectors Corner #21: The Roberto Luongo Super Collection

Chris stands next to his extensive Roberto Luongo Collection. His collection consists of pictures, memorabilia, game-used items and cards..... especially cards.

As a fellow goalie, I know exactly how Chris must feel collecting someone who stands between the pipes, especially at the NHL level. Being a goalie isn't easy, especially when you need to bring your "A" game night-after-night to help your team have a chance to win the game.

​I'm glad Chris brought the same attitude towards his collecting adventures when he decided to start super collecting Roberto Luongo in the 1990's. The passion he first brought into this hobby can still be felt all these years later, owning over 2,100 unique cards and 54 1/1's of Roberto Luongo.

Enjoy the 21st edition of Collectors Corner as I feature Chris' impressive Roberto Luongo collection below.

Chris is seen here guarding the net in his Luongo-Inspired KOHO 580 goalie equipment.

Chris' Introduction

​As a young kid growing up in Newfoundland, hockey was a passion like no other.  I have played since the age of 4 and still play at 38.  Me and my friends always collected cards growing up, but I was into it more than the others.  Being able to set out a task like completing a set and finally doing it was always so rewarding to me.  Maybe I'm different than most, but even sitting at the computer for hours and making checklists, cataloging cards, scanning, adding to my website..... it's just something I dive into and get lost in.  Maybe it's getting away from the kids, who knows!  It's been 30 years since I started collecting and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon!  The constant hunt, meeting new people, browsing eBay, chat groups, Facebook, its just all great and it seems like everyday I am opening new avenues to add to my collection.

Who/What Do You Collect?

Over the years I have always loved goalie RC's, or any rare sets associated with goalies.  But anyone who knows me knows that it all begins and ends with one player..... Roberto Luongo.  I have completed some great goalie sets over the years, and I'm getting close to finishing a RC of every goalie from 1990 to present, but the daily grind to try and find new Luongo cards is something that never ends for me.

Why Did You Start Collecting Roberto Luongo?

It all started with Luongo at the world juniors for me.  They didn't win that year but right away I knew he would be my favourite player.  Once he finally made it to the NHL, I started to focus on all of his cards.  It was good to get in early as a player collector, and his cards were relatively easy to come by.  He wasn't Roy or Brodeur, so I could slowly pick away at his master checklist.  It wasn't until he started to become a star that he was featured on cards with hall of famers.  At that point I was too far in and there was no turning back!!  Another cool thing that kept me focused on Luongo was the emergence of the Game-Used cards and the sweet swatches that were always coming from the Panthers logo, or the palm tree shoulder patch.  I always wanted to have the coolest patch card that was made of him, and over the past 20 years I feel like I have added so many eye popping pieces.

Insane Roberto Luongo Jumbo Patch from 2019-2020 Solitaire by President's Choice Trading Cards.

What’s Your Favourite Card or Item(s) in Your Collection?

It's hard to pick a favourite item, all of the great patch cards I have seem like favourites.  Then there are some hard to find parallels, just base cards #ed to even as high as 25 that were so hard to find that I hold those in high regard.  
​Last year I was fortunate enough to acquire both a Game-Used panthers jersey and Auto Game-Used stick.  

​But if I had to pick one card that is my fav, I would have to go with my recently acquired 9 player booklet cup auto, and another which is high on the list is the 01-02 SP Authentic Sign Of The Times SP.  

​In 18 years of searching every day, I have only seen 1 copy of this card, and it was displayed in a fellow Luongo collectors collection for over 15 years.  He displayed it on his website and I knew it existed.  Once he finally moved on from card collecting I worked out a deal and got it.  Of course there are cards still on my wantlist but that was the most satisfying acquisition I have ever had in 30 years of collecting.

Autographed, Game-Used CCM Premier Roberto Luongo stick along with more Roberto Luongo photos and memorabilia.

All Luongo.... All the time.

2001-2002 Upper Deck SP Authentic Sign Of The Times Roberto Luongo Autograph. This is the 1st and only copy Chris has seen of this card in all his years of collecting Roberto Luongo.

Yes, this 9-way Goalies Autographed booklet card from The Cup is real..... and it's spectacular.

​What's On Your Current Wantlist? Are there any ‘White Whales’ you’d like to add one day?

I used to be a die-hard player collector completionisit.  From 1997-98 to 2005-06, I probably had the most complete Luongo collection around.  To this day I think I only need 4 or 5 cards out of the approximate 950 he had made in that time.  I went to Chiropractic school that year and for 4 years I had to step away from the hobby and focus more on school.  Also, financially it was tough to do both at the same time.

But if I have to say 1 card in particular I want is a card I once owned.  The 05-06 Ultimate Auto Shield.  I used to hate 1/1's cause I knew I would never get them all, and at the time I doubled my money on the sale and added so many great Luongo cards with the funds.  Funny thing is I know who has that card and hopefully one day I can reacquire it.

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Editor's Note: As of October, 2021, Chris has FINALLY hauled his White Whale into the boat after 15 years and reacquired the 2005-06 Upper Deck Ultimate Autographed Shield of Roberto Luongo. Congratulations!

Chris shows off the 'White Whale' of his Luongo collection after a long 15 years.

2005-06 Upper Deck Ultimate Autographed Shield 1/1 of Roberto Luongo.

​​Contact Info: How can other collectors reach you?

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​Ebay: prior35
HI: LuongoCollector
SCF: LuongoCollector
Facebook: Chris Wade
Twitter: @drcprior
Instagram: chrisprior35 (@luongo_collector)
Cell: 709-764-9561

The Roberto Luongo Collection Gallery

If you want to get in contact with me about getting ​YOUR Collection featured on my blog, feel free to leave a comment on this post below, fill out a contact form on my Contact page, or send me an email at [email protected] and we will be in touch very soon. :)

​Happy Collecting

​- Creasecollector