Search This Blog


Thursday, May 24, 2012

2012 Topps Archives - 2 Boxes (Bryce Harper Auto!!!)

The more and more I read about 2012 Topps Archives, the more I was anticipating its release. Not only does it revisit some classic Topps designs, but it has plenty of on-card autographs of players from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that don't get a whole lot of modern-day hobby love. So naturally, when the product was released earlier this week, I ran to my LCS as soon as I could and picked me up a couple of boxes.

The big hit, of course, was a redemption for an autographed card of Nationals rookie and hobby superstar Bryce Harper. Alongside Yu Darvish, Harper's cards have been selling for boatloads of money, especially ones with his autograph, so this should go a long way in making back some of the money I have been spending on cards.


Besides the Harper, I got four other autos. Each box is guaranteed to contain two, so I'm guessing the Harper was added in as an extra hit, due to its scarcity, the same way they throw in printing plates and relics. Still, I was very happy with my other four. Box # 1 gave me the Ken Griffey (Sr.) and the Jim Wynn, while Box #2 gave me the Harper, along with Bill "Spaceman" Lee and John Kruk. All four are fantastic pulls, in my opinion. None of them will fetch a whole lot on the secondary market (maybe the Griffey) but it's just really cool to be able to pull autographs of players like these.


As if the extra auto wasn't enough, Box #2 also gave me a 1/1 printing plate of Cardinals closer Jason Motte. The black version of the plate gives a good amount of detail in the photo, but due to the card design, Motte's name and position do not show up. Still, it's pretty cool to be able to pull four hits out of  a two-hi box.


Look, I know Topps takes its fair share of flack from some collectors, a lot of which is deserved, but this release has been getting a lot of praise from collectors. The throwback designs of the set are cool, and the fact that ALL of the autographs in this release are on-card (except for Gary Carter) shows that they put a lot of effort into this. I love what I have seen so far from Archives, and despite completing the base set with my two boxes, I might end up buying some more, just for the fun of it.

9 comments:

  1. Man, you are on one heck of a hot streak!

    I would be highly interested in that Wynn auto! I still have that Sandberg /199 Blue parallel from Tribute set aside for you. I also have a friend here in Mobile that would be interested in that Motte plate if you're looking to move it as well.

    Congrats on the awesome pulls!

    ReplyDelete
  2. throw that Harper up on eBay as soon as possible! Cards are never worth more than the week they are released and once Harper flops and is sent back to AAA, that auto will plummet. Well, just my negative approach but you should still sell soon. Great boxes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just posted it earlier tonight. There's a few on there already, so I need to flip it before the market gets oversaturated.

      Delete
  3. Sweet pulls, It's always fun to get those extra hits, especially like the ones you got. I hope to score a box from my LCS this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good product, even without my big hit. I think you'll like it.

      Delete
  4. Pretty soon every Cardinal is going tho look like Bruce Sutter.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Didn't someone else just pull a Harper auto as well? Congrats are in order.

    ReplyDelete