2011 Topps review.....

I know 2011 Topps has been out for a while, but thought I would go ahead and post a review. Better late than never, right?

2011 Topps celebrates the 60th anniversary of producing the best baseball cards in the world. Diamonds are the theme throughout 2011 Topps as collectors can receive a diamond on a card and even diamond rings! The breakdown for 2011 Topps hobby is as follows: 12 boxes per case, 36 packs per box, and 10 cards per pack. Every hobby box contains one autograph or relic card while every jumbo box contains one autograph and two relic cards. There are numerous inserts that collectors like and the ever popular card giveaway is back in 2011 and seems better than ever! Read on for more of what is in store with 2011 Topps!


There are several reasons why 2011 Topps connects with collectors more times than Hank Aaron hit home runs. Here’s a few of them:


Wrapper Redemption – collectors need to save their wrappers as they can be redeemed for cards with the possibility of getting autographs from players that played in 1952!

Topps 60th Anniversary Diamond Card Giveaway – This will have you buying packs and packs of 2011 Topps! Randomly inserted inside packs of 2011 Topps collectors can find Diamond Giveaway Code cards in which every code is a winner! When entered online, collectors will have a chance to get a vintage Topps card, a Topps Die-Cut card, or an actual diamond-embedded card. Also with every code entered, collectors will get a chance to dig for more prizes including old vintage packs or a special limited edition 60th anniversary set.

Traditional base set – Every year Topps delivers with exceptional photography along with the most comprehensive stats that truly capture the history of baseball like nothing else can. The 2011 Topps base set consists of 660 cards and contains the following…
- 528 Veterans
- 60 Rookies
- 30 Team
- 20 League Leaders
- 4 Cy Young
- 4 MVPs
- 4 ROY Winners, along with #7 Mickey Mantle,
- 10 Record-Breaker Cards
In the base set, collectors need to be on the look out for base card variations. There are 25 retired legends who share a card number with a current player. These are very limited and highly collectible.


Parallel cards -- In 2011 Topps, parallel cards make their annual return. This year collectors can find the following parallel cards:
- Diamond Canary (660) – numbered one of one
- Diamond Platinum (660) – 1 in 4 packs
- Platinum (660) – numbered one of one
- Black (660) - numbered to 60
- Gold (660) – numbered to 2011
- Printing Plates (660 subjects, 26400 plates)- each one numbered one of one
- Topps Silk Collection (200) – numbered to 50


World Champion cards – The San Francisco Giants won the World Series and Topps captures their moments on these autograph and relic cards.
- 1 autograph or relic per hobby box; 1 autograph and 2 relics per jumbo box
- Relics - The champs are depicted on these cards with a memorabilia piece. Numbered to 100.
- Autographs - Featuring members of the 2010 World Series Champion team with their signature. Numbered to 50.
- Autographed Relic Cards - The 2010 World Series champs with their signature and a relic piece. Numbered to 50.


Relic Cards – Relic cards are a fan favorite and continue this year for 2011 Topps. Collectors can find 1 autograph or relic per hobby box and 1 autograph and 2 relics per jumbo box. There are also some other sweet looking relic cards. They are:
- Glove Leather Cards (50) - Each card features a manufactured glove leather relic along with the stitched name of a past and present hero of the field. 1 Per Hobby Case. 1 Per Jumbo Box. These cards are available in parallel versions numbered to 99 and also one of one.
- 1964 Mickey Mantle Relic Reprint Cards (1) - Mantle's 1964 reprint Topps card featuring a piece of a game-worn Yankee jersey. Numbered to 64.
- In the Name Relics (76) - These one of one patch cards feature a letter from the work-out jersey nameplates from seventy-six 2010 Anaheim All-Star participants.


Cut Signature cards – 15 different people from the past show up on these highly valuable and unique cards. Each one of one card features a cut autograph of the person.


Continuity Insert cards – These inserts can be found throughout series 1, series 2, and the update series of 2011 Topps.

Kimball Champions (50) - Re-creating the historic and rare N184 Kimball Champion cards produced in 1888 which featured two gorgeous player images on each card front - portrait and action. These vintage-design mini cards will span the 2011 Topps brand baseball program. The first 50 cards highlight legends of the game and current stars and will appear in Series 1. The next 50-card installment will appear in 2010 Topps Baseball Series 2 and the final group in Topps Updates and Highlights Baseball.

60th Anniversary On-Card Autograph Cards (5) - 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 numbered to 60 card. Numerous players' cards will be inserted into each baseball product throughout 2011. Five will be found in Series 1.

Topps 60 cards -
- Autograph Relic Cards - 20 legends and current stars appear on cards noting the statistical category in which each places in the top 60 all-time or active leaders with their signature and a relic piece. Numbered to 50.
- Autograph Cards - 68 stars from above along with a signature.
- Jumbo Relic Cards - The highpoint of 20 subjects is commemorated with a jumbo relic swatch on cards numbered to 20.
- Relic Cards - The landmark of 88 players, highlighted with a swatch.
- Insert Cards - 50 legends and current stars. - 1:4 packs; 1 per Jumbo Pack!


NEW! 60th ANNIVERSARY INSERT CARDS

60 Years of Topps (59) - The 60-year history of Topps chronicled with a reprint of one card from every year. Each card back narrates the story of that year's design.

60 Years of Topps: The Lost Cards (10) - These 10 cards fill in famous card numbering gaps found throughout the Topps annals. The card back recounts the anecdote surrounding each card's history. These are also available in an original back parallel version.

History of Topps (10) - An overview of Topps from its beginning, and the milestones and events that complete its history.

Reproduction Cards (30) - A retrospective showcasing the world of vintage baseball cards pre-1952 and pre-Topps!

Hall of Fame Buybacks - Original Topps cards of Hall of Famers are randomly inserted into packs.

Diamond Duos (30 subjects/15 cards) - 30 cards pairing 2 players posing on one card.


NEW! 60th ANNIVERSARY REPRINT CARDS

- Autograph Relic Cards (10) - These reprints showcase an on-card autograph and a relic. Numbered to 6.
- Autograph Cards (10) - Famous cards from the Topps archives reprinted and highlighted with an on-card autograph. Numbered to 60.
- Relic Cards (20) - Collector favorites reprinted with a relic. Numbered to 60.
- Diamond Duos Relic Cards (30 subjects/15 cards) - 15 cards pairing 2 players and 2 relics from each on one card. Numbered to 50.


SKETCH CARDS (100) – Cards that were drawn by artists and randomly inserted into packs of 2011 Topps. All of these sketch cards are serially numbered one of one.


TICKET TO TOPPSTOWN.COM CARDS (50 subjects) – Cards with codes that can be entered online to unlock virtual cards.

2011 Topps has a design that is simple and very eye-appealing. This product is loaded with a lot of power. From its autograph lineup, superb photography, and insert appeal, 2011 Topps shines bright! This is definitely one set worth collecting!

For a checklist of 2011 Topps, click here:

2011 Topps Checklist -- CHECK IT OUT!!!

Thanks!

Craig from Texas