Thoughts on 2005 Topps Heritage

helionaut

Yes, another thread about this brand. I just finished my 2004 Heritage (big ups to Stone for the last 3 cards. I still need about 30 SPs for 2001, BTW). Naturally, I'm waiting with great anticipation for the 2005 edition and in my musings I'm thinking that they'll skip the '56 design and move straight on to the '57s. I think this for two reasons.

First, Topps's history with these types of sets is not completely linear. They 1991 Archives set started with the 1953 set (I always wondered why they didn't do 1952), then went to '54. Then they did the "Boys of Summer" set with all the 50's Brooklyn cards. Then they stopped.

Second, I don't think they'll do two horizontal sets in a row. The reaction to 2004 Heritage has been strong, but I think they'll think the market will get bored/confused/scared off by two such similar looking sets in a row.

Plus, the original '57 set is much more popular then '56. This is probably due more to the strong RCs, photographic design, and standard size than anything wrong with the '56 set, but there it is. I think that this translates into a skip year ahead. That's fine with me, as I really like 1957. I would like an extra year to clear my wantlist as I intend to build a black border chrome set (or whatever the scarce parallel will be) but sooner rather than later will be fine with me.

What do you think, will they skip a year? Should they?

joestalin

There is no way that topps will skip a year in the design. I remember back in 2002 they sent out
surveys asking if they should skip the 53 desing and move to the more popular 54 design...needless
to say I didn't see the results of that survey but 2002 heritage was modeled after the 53 set and in
my opinion is one of the more beautiful issues.

Ill agree the 57 set will be much anticipated but topps knows they can sell anything called heritage. They
know they can sell 2006 so why blow your wad early? 2005 heritage will be modled after the 56 set.

I do feel however that topps is leaning towards cutting corners on heritage. One of the great things about
this product next to its value, is the design. Topps has really made the player pictures look old. Back in
2001 every card looked like the player played in the 50's, the next year had a great design too but I have
noticed that more cards now, especially in the 2004 set look like regular cards...it appears that topps
only too care to make the star players look vintage. I think they need to step this up again for future
releases.

Kevin
(heritage freak)

PS...Have you sent me your 01 numbers yet?

goodriddance189

helio, what sp's do you need from 01? i busted a few boxes, and still have them around somewhere (probably 22 or so)

Kabir75

I have said this before the day they do the 1957 Sets remake is the day I will collect the whole set and buy a case, I love Heritage loved it since it came out but have not collected it since the first year, but I am anxiously waiting for the 1957 set, for me I hope it is in 2005 and not 2006 but whenever it comes count me in for two cases and hope they don't do gimmick 1/1 cards in that set because I might go for the Master Set....oh man that would be sweet...

Lothar52

i want 2 cases of 56 and 57 design....its going to be awesome...if they skipped 56 id have a stroke.

loth

Lothar52

personally i thought the 2001 set was well...i can remember a kevin brown and jim thome cards that just blew my mind how old they looked. i thought 2002 was well done too. i was disappointed in 2003...basically they did NOTHING to make ANY of the cards look old in the 1954 design. This year they went back to making them look older again...least on alot of the star cards- the sosa and nomar comes to mind for this last year. Who knows what they will do with next year....with the action shots in the background it may be hard to make it look old...

loth

Stone193

Although I am really looking forward to the 57T design and the fact that the 56T set only has one real star RC (Aparicio), I would rather have Topps stick to the chronology they have established and put out a 56T design. But if they skipped 56, I don't think I'ld blow a head gasket or anything.
If they wanted to make the chase a little more intriguing, they could consider sp'ing the check lists and lay off autos of guys I really have no use for - like Topps Legends Davey Johnson (no offense to Orioles fans).
Mike

Lothar52

I think id blow a gasket if 2005 heritage didnt do the 56 design. I have to disagree with the preception that 57 topps is more popular then 56....just go to ebay you will see the 56's are doing quite well---and there are a number of people who in posts have stated that when they do get into vintage they will do the collector friendly 56 set. What makes the 56 set so collector friendly??? no high #'s really, no crazy RC's one may have to spend 4k-6k to even own, and awesome HOF player selection- in particular its the last year for bob feller, jackie robinson, and phil rizzuto---it serves as a conduit between new stars of the late 50's and early 60's and the starts of the late 40's and early 50's. Covering a span of quite a few years!!!! It has a number of great 2nd and 3rd year cards and the design was 2nd to none. the guy painting the cards initially had to jump for joy when they went color photo in 57. Its funny to think what the set may have been if Herb Score would have gone on to be one of the best pitchers ever......dag on you Gil!!!!.

I think this set has one of the best designs without all the hassle of high numbers and peeing contests if you get my drift.

and that being said...it deserves a heritage set!!!!!!

loth

Stone193

That sound you just heard was Lothar's head! Topps skips 56T design opting for the modern era sized 57T cards. As they were carrying Senor Lothar into the ambulance, he could be heard mumbling inaudibly something to do with "no high numbers...how could they pass it up....no high...."
We will keep you posted on....this just in...we got word that Senor Lothar is doing well and resides in a double occupancy hospital room with one...JoeStalin who is recovering from an altercation at a Walmart while on vacation....it seems Mr. Stalin was infuriated by a rather rotund gentlement feeling up packs of heritage when the argument insued...details are sketchy but it seems to involve a box of moon pies and a 6 pack of Budweiser! We will keep you posted.
Stone13

pandrews

<< <i>

That sound you just heard was Lothar's head! Topps skips 56T design opting for the modern era sized 57T cards. As they were carrying Senor Lothar into the ambulance, he could be heard mumbling inaudibly something to do with "no high numbers...how could they pass it up....no high...."
We will keep you posted on....this just in...we got word that Senor Lothar is doing well and resides in a double occupancy hospital room with one...JoeStalin who is recovering from an altercation at a Walmart while on vacation....it seems Mr. Stalin was infuriated by a rather rotund gentlement feeling up packs of heritage when the argument insued...details are sketchy but it seems to involve a box of moon pies and a 6 pack of Budweiser! We will keep you posted.
Stone13
>>



i hope JS kicked his a$$..

your post was funny as hell BTW

edited to say I just realized you said Kevin was hospitalized also, so I guess he didnt fair too well in his altercation?

Stone193

<< <i>I just realized you said Kevin was hospitalized also, so I guess he didnt fair too well in his altercation? >>


Mr. Stalin kicked the snot outa the guy. But during the rumble, the packs that he was going to purchase were picked up by a 9 yr old who upon opening one of them pulled a Real One Willie Mays auto! Mr. Stalin took note of the fact and proceeded to turn an extremely interesting shade of purple, stroked out and was rushed to the ER where he was found to be in defribrillation...he was resuscitated and is resting comfortably.
Stone13

Lothar52

Lothar52

jaxxr

Back some 15 or so years ago, i got the FB Heritage / Retro/ Archive / Whatever , that Topps released. It contained BOTH the 56 and the 57 football sets reprinted in standard size with better paper quality.

This was a combined reprint of both sets at one time. The size of the FB issues made it more likely, but who can say that Topps might feel it would be cool for the upcoming 2005 release to perhaps do it again ??

It is a bit interesting to note that the formats of the FB sets were reversals of the BB ones; 56 FB was vertical, except team cards, and 57 FB was horizontal.

As posted before, both the BB sets are quite popular, the 56 is the last of an era, possibly the the last true "vintage" due to its non-standard size and stat info. 57 begins the modern photo era ( though the last series had some real phoney looking paste-over retouched photos) with its now standard size card and listing of lifetime year by year stats. It is only one's personal taste that can say if Jackie Robinson's last card or Frank Robinson's first one, makes a set more interesting.

highend

i really hope topps doesn't consider skipping the 56 set design, it would be a huge mistake and turn a lot of collectors off to the product. i love the continuity . if it's not broken don't try to fix it. i'm more excited about the 57 design but i still can't wait for the 56 design.

Lothar52