I'm back!! After a series of computer problems and other issues, I am now back with more frequent blogging about Topps products. I will continue updates with the Diamond Giveaway promotion but in the meantime, I have run out of codes and need to go get some more! While I am waiting to do that, here is my latest review:
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Review
Back in 1887, the N174 Gypsy Queen baseball card set featured over 130 baseball players of the era on elegantly designed cards with sepia images. These cards were stunning to look at back in the day and they still are today. The artwork is very eye appealing! Today, Topps is modernizing the N174 Gypsy Queen release with today’s players in strikingly beautiful cards. These bright and vivid cards are sure to please the collectors of today and yesterday. A hobby box contains 24 packs of 10 cards each and should deliver 2 autographs and 2 relics cards per box. I like the fact that this product yields more hits than the average product. And for autograph hunters, you will be pleased to know that ALL autographs in this product are on the card. I hope Topps will continue to listen to their customers and get rid of the sticker autographs. They are cheesy and do not belong in our hobby! But enough of my rant...on to Topps Gypsy Queen!
There are a variety of different types of cards one can expect to see in 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen. Some are common and some are very rare!
There are base cards, relic and autograph cards, original art cards, printing plates, stamp relic cards, and a box loader unlike any I have ever seen before!
Each 24 pack hobby box contains two relic cards, two autograph cards, and a special box loader of 10 special mini cards. There are eight base cards per pack in a 400 card set which consists of veterans, retired players and rookies.
There are 50 shortprinted cards that finish the 450 card set. Some people will collect the base set of 400 cards but most people including myself consider your set incomplete if it does not have the 50 shortprints.
Stamp cards are back with Gypsy Queen. To me, I wish Topps would leave stamps and coins out of their products and allow philatelists and numismatists to collect those. However, they seem to be accepted by the majority of collectors, so I guess they will continue to stay as long as their products keep selling. Every base card is paralleled with a stamp relic card commemorating the player’s city, state, or country of origin. Since these are numbered to 10, they are extremely hard to find.
Another neat insert for this product are Framed Paper inserts. These inserts feature all 450 base cards which are beautifully embellished with a paper frame overlay and numbered to 999. You should expect to see these fall at an average of one per box.
The Gypsy Queen product mixes elements of vintage collectors with the shiny new features of today. The Gold inserts are no exception. These cards have the bright UV coating and are stamped with Gypsy Queen gold foil. There are 100 cards in this set and they fall one per pack.
Most popular with Allen & Ginter, mini parallel cards can be found within Gypsy Queen. Expect to find a mini card in every pack as well as a “mini box loader”. There are several different types of mini cards. The basic mini card parallels the 450 card set and can be found one per pack. Leather minis consist of the base set paralleled on diminutive, durable, simulated leather cards and are numbered to 10. This is a hobby only exclusive. Gypsy Queen Sepia Tone minis are another type of mini parallel that are numbered to 99. Similar to Allen & Ginter’s A&G back minis, Gypsy Queen has Gypsy Queen mini backs which showcase the historic Gypsy Queen logo on the card backs of this base card parallel. Also in line with A&G are black border minis.
Each mini box loader consists of 10 mini cards - 6 mini parallels, 3 mini inserts and 1 exclusive mini variation card in every mini box.
All insert cards appear as a mini parallel at a rate of 3 per mini box.
The exclusive mini variations are 100 players showcased on variation cards and are hobby only.
There are several different types of autographed cards in Gypsy Queen.
Each box of Gypsy Queen contains two autographs. These are ON-CARD autographs from veterans, rookies and retired stars. There are also autographed mini relic cards which are framed and exhibit both an on-card autograph and a relic from 20 players. These are numbered to 25.
There are three different levels of full sized autographed relic cards. The regular version features 20 players sign their name directly on each of these cards also displaying a game-used memento. These are numbered to 25. Also, in the autograph relic line-up are dual autograph relic cards. These cards spotlight two players, two autographs and two game-used relics. There are a total of 10 cards in all and these are numbered to 15. Lastly, there are triple autograph relic cards featuring three players, three autographs and three game-used swatches. Ten cards in all and numbered to 10.
Continuing the Continuity Autograph Program are the 60th Anniversary autographed cards. Sixty players past and present have signed these cards along with an additional inscription wishing Topps a “Happy 60th!” All autographs and inscriptions are signed directly on each card numbered to 60. Three players’ cards will be inserted into each baseball product throughout 2011. These cards are hobby only.
There are plenty of relic cards to go around as well. There are 60th relic cards which can be found 2 per box. These relic cards feature game-used bats or jerseys from 30 veterans and legends. These can also be found in a miniaturized version.
There are three different types of regular insert sets in Gypsy Queen. The Great Ones is a 30 card insert set that honor 30 legends who have led the league in a statistical category. Home Run Heroes showcase 25 veterans and retired stars who have lead the league in home runs or had game-changing home runs. Future Stars feature 20 promising prospects.
Now if all of this wasn’t enough, there are also some bonuses and surprises in store. Printing Plates can be found in regular and mini size. These are hobby only and are always a favorite among certain collectors. These plates are one of ones! Original Art Patch Cards showcase 50 unique player portrait cards which are hand-drawn and are ornamented with a game-used patch. These are one of a kind and can be only found in hobby packs. There are also other surprises of insert cards, autograph cards, and jewel cards.
To see what these cards look like and what they are selling for, please click here:
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen
Out of 10 stars, I give Topps Gypsy Queen a 7. I believe it is a product designed to attract a wide variety of collector types but I prefer to see a more targeted approach. Topps looks to appeal to the vintage enthusiast, the modern collector, the autograph seeker, and the game used collector. With all of these four bases covered, Topps is going for a grand slam by hitting this one out of the park. A checklist for Topps Gypsy Queen can be found here:
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Checklist
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