搶先看:2017 Topps Archives Baseball

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2017 Topps Archives Baseball embraces the past. It brings a sense of familiarity while offering new cards. Just like other recent editions of the brand, the goal is to trigger memories of old-time baseball, wads of pink gum and bike rides to the corner store — no matter what generation you’re from.

But no matter how rooted in the “good old days” the product is, it’s still a modern release. That means autographs and several chase elements to go along with the main set.



Base Set

A big part of the product’s nostalgia comes from the base set. Coming in at 300 cards, the checklist is a mix of current players, rookies and retired stars. The 2017 Topps Archives Baseball base set relies on three different designs: 1960 Topps, 1982 Topps and 1992 Topps. Each design has 100 cards.





Initial details on the product do not mention short prints. However, some cards have variation versions.

Hobby packs have four levels of parallels, all of which are serial numbered: Peach, Blue, Red (/25) and Black (1/1).

Autographs

2017 Topps Archives Baseball sticks with the pattern of two autographs per box, all of which come with on-card signatures.

Fan Favorites Autographs are, once again, the cornerstone of the signed content. Retired players, not necessarily superstars, make up a significant amount of the checklist. Hall of Famers and current players are also included.



Fan Favorites Autographs come on a variety of retro designs.

Parallels come in Peach, Blue, Red (/25) and Gold (1/1).

1960 Rookie Star Autographs is a new insert for 2017. Signed on-card, these uses the 57-year-old subset design to showcase current rookies. All are numbered.

1959 Bazooka Baseball Autographs are also new. Included as a case hit, they’re based on the 1959 Bazooka design and feature veterans and retired players.

Topps Originals Autographs round out the signed portion of 2017 Topps Archives Baseball. These are buyback cards that have been signed, stamped and numbered.

Inserts

Outside of parallels and autographs, 2017 Topps Archives doesn’t have many additional inserts.

1959 Bazooka Baseball has an unsigned version. There’s also Retro Original cards that, according to Topps, use a vintage design with a checklist that’s only today’s top stars.



2017 Topps Archives Baseball is far from the only set to rely on nostalgia. 2017 Topps Heritage is another major example. But what makes Archives more distinct is that it pulls in lots of elements from several years. Heritage is more focused on taking a deep dive into one product. In the instance of 2017 Heritage, it’s 1968.

2017 Topps Archives Baseball at a glance:

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Boxes per case: 10
Set size: 300 cards
Release date: May 31, 2017

What to expect in a hobby box:

• Autographs – 2