2012 Topps Heritage High Number box

Wait is the party over already?  Yep I'm late again. But to be honest I was out of town when this came out.

But since I'm a sports card blogger I figure I should weigh in on this.  First off I like the idea of the throwback of just one small box set of update cards, excuse me, high number cards.  Back when Topps didn't throw out a whole extra set full of fluff at the end of the season.  But a few things bother me. First the price tag. $100 bucks is insane for a 100 cards. Yes I realize that they justify it by throwing in an autograph card and limiting it to only 1000 sets, but set builders are grinding their teeth right now.  Second do we really even need a heritage high number series. Didn't the set already contain 75 SP high number cards? Although I do like the idea of this over a whole extra release packed out with Update series cards like they did in 2008 and 2009.

And the fact that this product is already sold out on the Topps Online Store doesn't surprise me and this stuff doesn't even ship till next Tuesday  On the secondary market, sets without the auto are going for about 75 bucks and with auto about 150.

Sadly I decided to try and put this set together. Mainly because I really like the 1963 design.  Will I be going after this set?  Maybe, but not now. I'll wait a few years when I can pick up the set for a fraction of the cost. But to be honest since the numbering continues after the base set, but adds a U to the number I'm tempted to just write it off.  And while my first reaction when I read about this was anger, I've mellowed.  I think the reason I was so mad was as a set builder this just made Heritage, which is a tough set to build with the 75 SP's, even more expensive.  As a team set builder there is only one Brewer in the set so that shouldn't set me back too much.  Sorry I'm kinda rambling.

I'm not sure how I like this online exclusive Topps thing.  On the one hand it's open to everyone.  It's similar to exclusives you can get with other collectibles, like action figures and matchbox cars. And Topps has a monopoly on baseball cards so it can do whatever it wants.  I'm curious if this set counts against the number of products it's allowed to release with it's exclusive contract.

As for me I'm done for the year.  There are a few more sets coming out I'll chase team sets for, but I'm not going to try and build anymore full sets.  Although I'm excited about Topps Magic coming out in a release again, but it doesn't hit till January.

Alright I'm done. If you've read all the way down here, congratulation. Now get back to work!

cb out