2006 Topps Heritage Ideas - Please Help 1957 Topps Collectors!
mudflap02
Posts: 2,060 ✭✭
OK guys -
Bored off my mind at work today, I was able to scribble down some ideas on an envelope I've been tossing around for a while. The general concept of this thread is to get together enough ideas from the group so that I can write a formal letter to Topps that should help create a better product for next year. I know there are more and more complaints about Heritage every year, but in my mind it's by far the best product being put out today, and the only one I buy. If something's bugging you about it, think about what could be done to make it better. I think that the Heritage guys on this board represent a pretty good picture of the market that keeps this set going as strongly as it has been, so it makes sense that our ideas might carry a little weight.
The main thing I want to ask for help from the 1957 Topps guys is: what are some of the favorite cards in the set? What are the toughest low pop high grade commons (Mike Torrez is springing to mind for some reason?)? What are some interesting little facts about the set that not everyone knows about (ie Hank Aaron reverse negative)? Anything and everything you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Here goes, with what I have come up with so far.
--- I love the Mickey Mantle card, with the "ghost" in the background. It would be great if they could do something like that with Jeter or another Yankee. Along the same lines, I think the Aaron card is a reverse negative - little stuff like that would be really neat SP variations.
---How about making the checklists authentic counterparts to their original issues? Same style, font, etc.
---For Real One autos, instead of just a random smattering of common players, how about using players with some significance ot the set? I'm not talking about star cards, but I think the famous "low pop" cards from the set would be an ideal target for Real Ones (when possible, ie if the player is still alive). For example, of the two rookies of the year from 1957 (Jack Sanford and Tony Kubec), Kubec is still alive according to baseball-reference.com. A lot of the Gold Glove winners of the day are relative nobodies today.
---The base set is a little too large for me. I think they could trim it down by about 100 cards, keep the same number of SPs, and still sell the same amount of product. This way, people would still rip packs looking for SPs and inserts, but the concerns about collation of non SP cards would be addressed.
--The Clubhouse Collection relic set was about the ideal size to me this year. Keep it around the same size, but use more vintage players and fewer modern ones. The CC set in 04 was just ridiculously large, and most of the players were modern, and as a result the cards have little value or collectability today. The design this year was great, maintaining a flavor of the original set, but in 04, it just looked like a standard insert set. On a side, note, when using older player pictures, use the pictures from the era associated with the set design. I think the Kaline image on 05 CC cards comes from the late 60s.
---No more parallel sets! Leave things as they are with chromes, refractors, and black refractors. Anything else would just be a little too much, since the whole concept of the set is geared towards set builders.
---The Grandstand Glory concept was great. Bring it back, with unique cards, instead of identical flashback cards with a relic stuck on them. Also, how about some other innovative relic sets? I don't have any ideas, but maybe some of you might?
---Do an MJ Roop Binder redemption set, like was done with 04 Bowman Heritage. I know these can be pricey, so maybe seed them farther apart than the 1 per case ratio that was in Bowman. Also, if you do this, please include pages with the binder!
---Anybody else think it would be a good idea for SP cards to have a small notation on the back, differentiating them from the non-SPs? Even a tiny little "SP" in the corner would be perfect. The again, I know a lot of the fun is figuring out which cards are the SPs in the first place. Just throwing out ideas.
---How about some awesome box toppers to make up for the fiasco this year? I love Kuhlmann's idea - how about a PSA graded 1957 Topps card in every box? Most would be commons graded PSA 4-5, etc, but how nice would it be to pull a PSA 8 Mantle or Aaron?
Just some ideas. Any input is appreciated and will be passed along.
-Jeff
Bored off my mind at work today, I was able to scribble down some ideas on an envelope I've been tossing around for a while. The general concept of this thread is to get together enough ideas from the group so that I can write a formal letter to Topps that should help create a better product for next year. I know there are more and more complaints about Heritage every year, but in my mind it's by far the best product being put out today, and the only one I buy. If something's bugging you about it, think about what could be done to make it better. I think that the Heritage guys on this board represent a pretty good picture of the market that keeps this set going as strongly as it has been, so it makes sense that our ideas might carry a little weight.
The main thing I want to ask for help from the 1957 Topps guys is: what are some of the favorite cards in the set? What are the toughest low pop high grade commons (Mike Torrez is springing to mind for some reason?)? What are some interesting little facts about the set that not everyone knows about (ie Hank Aaron reverse negative)? Anything and everything you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Here goes, with what I have come up with so far.
--- I love the Mickey Mantle card, with the "ghost" in the background. It would be great if they could do something like that with Jeter or another Yankee. Along the same lines, I think the Aaron card is a reverse negative - little stuff like that would be really neat SP variations.
---How about making the checklists authentic counterparts to their original issues? Same style, font, etc.
---For Real One autos, instead of just a random smattering of common players, how about using players with some significance ot the set? I'm not talking about star cards, but I think the famous "low pop" cards from the set would be an ideal target for Real Ones (when possible, ie if the player is still alive). For example, of the two rookies of the year from 1957 (Jack Sanford and Tony Kubec), Kubec is still alive according to baseball-reference.com. A lot of the Gold Glove winners of the day are relative nobodies today.
---The base set is a little too large for me. I think they could trim it down by about 100 cards, keep the same number of SPs, and still sell the same amount of product. This way, people would still rip packs looking for SPs and inserts, but the concerns about collation of non SP cards would be addressed.
--The Clubhouse Collection relic set was about the ideal size to me this year. Keep it around the same size, but use more vintage players and fewer modern ones. The CC set in 04 was just ridiculously large, and most of the players were modern, and as a result the cards have little value or collectability today. The design this year was great, maintaining a flavor of the original set, but in 04, it just looked like a standard insert set. On a side, note, when using older player pictures, use the pictures from the era associated with the set design. I think the Kaline image on 05 CC cards comes from the late 60s.
---No more parallel sets! Leave things as they are with chromes, refractors, and black refractors. Anything else would just be a little too much, since the whole concept of the set is geared towards set builders.
---The Grandstand Glory concept was great. Bring it back, with unique cards, instead of identical flashback cards with a relic stuck on them. Also, how about some other innovative relic sets? I don't have any ideas, but maybe some of you might?
---Do an MJ Roop Binder redemption set, like was done with 04 Bowman Heritage. I know these can be pricey, so maybe seed them farther apart than the 1 per case ratio that was in Bowman. Also, if you do this, please include pages with the binder!
---Anybody else think it would be a good idea for SP cards to have a small notation on the back, differentiating them from the non-SPs? Even a tiny little "SP" in the corner would be perfect. The again, I know a lot of the fun is figuring out which cards are the SPs in the first place. Just throwing out ideas.
---How about some awesome box toppers to make up for the fiasco this year? I love Kuhlmann's idea - how about a PSA graded 1957 Topps card in every box? Most would be commons graded PSA 4-5, etc, but how nice would it be to pull a PSA 8 Mantle or Aaron?
Just some ideas. Any input is appreciated and will be passed along.
-Jeff
0
Comments
No offense but if you came up with all that at work your gonna get fired
Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski's rookie card is #24. That would be a super double fabulous autograph to insert.
Collector of Pittsburgh Pirates cards for a slightly less stupid reason.
My Pirates Collection
Topps runs into a roadblock when it comes to Mantle. Sure today we think of the 52 Mantle and all the other great topps
issues, but UD owns Mantle and all the likenesses of him. As sad as that may seem, topps can only go so far in that. I
believe in 2001 they used a Yankee rookie in the same pose as the Mick, but I don't even think they put him as card
311.
I think the base sets are nice where they were before the light backs. I think that is just too much even though acquiring the
light back set was easier for some.
The Roop thing was nice, but nothing is free. You only get the binder and you have to buy the pages!!! Those are very expensive. Maybe
make the redemptions harder to pull but offer the whole binder and pages? Obviously roop has something to gain here!
The autograph set really needs an upgrade. I can honestly say that I open a lot of topps product. Heritage is an odd product. You can
make a nice profit on the base cards, but most of topps other products have autographs one per box or one per box and a half, heritage
isn't even close and the checklist is weak at best. I have been opening topps chrome series two for 55 a box and pulling two autos.
Here is my suggestion. First, can the team topps legends. No one buys heritage for these autos, they have nothing to do with the set.
Instead have all the autographs real one autos on the actual 57 looking card. If you must, water it down some more, but give us more
of a shot to pull one at all! In 2001 the odds were 1:152, this year the odds were triple that! If I see odds like that next year and a
weak auto checklist then I might buy less wax.
I would love to see topps add back the buy backs! Insert redemptions for real 1957 cards....maybe even have Frank, Jim, and Tony
graph a few. You would be surprised how those long odds pull still get people to buy wax!
Great thread!
Kevin
As far as the Mantle thing, i don't see where including a "ghost" in the background of the Jeter card is infringing upon any copyrights. Mantle's likeness has nothing to do with the original design of the card.
and Gehrig to that list too.
I might also add that the auto checklist from 2001 heritage was 52 players! That was also one of the greatest autograph checklist
of all time. Whats even better is that the odds of pulling a Joe Mays was the same as pulling a Willie Mays! I like that
Kevin
where do they buy the 57's??? from dealers, from ebay...midgrade cards...nothing too overwhelming
NO MORE MODERN JERSEY OR BAT CARDS
MORE SEAT CARDS AND JERSEY AND BAT cARDS FROM THE VINTAGE PLAYERS
AT LEAST 4 AUTO'S PER CASE!!!! COME ON...MAKE MORE!!! Whether a MAYS is 1 of 200 or 1000..ITS STILL A MAYS AUTO AND WE WILL LOVE IT WHETHER ITS 300 dollars or 50 dollars!!! Get the point??? WE WANT THE INK...WE DONT COLLECT THIS STUFF FOR INVESTMENT....Least I dont...id rather have pulled a 50 dollar Mays auto then NOTHING AT ALL.....GET THE POINT??? The more auto they make the more likely we can all include them in a master set too by trading and purchasing more off ebay
Loth...hope ya got the point!
one reprint 57 card with "Topps Heritage" on the front in every pack??? they did it with bowman i think...putting reprint cards of 55 bowman in the set...why not above and beyond the regular modern set with a 57 look make a real topps heritage reprint set as well?? 2 sets in one product!!!!
Loth
PS- if a so called NON-SP Bonds goes for 10 dollars on ebay..imagine what a 57 topps heritage reprint card of mantle would go for???? Some cash i would think!!!!
I'm drawing a blank. What about redemption cards for ACTUAL pieces of memorabilia, ie jerseys, bats, etc? The purists would love that.
ok with the highest booking auto that you could pull being only 200 bucks, or do you live for those few major pulls that we all pay
for but only a few of us ever get to touch?
Kevin
<< <i>For example, of the two rookies of the year from 1957 (Jack Sanford and Tony Kubec), >>
I would also love to see more autos. A good mixture of the old players and the new players. They have the contracts and Topps Heritage is more popular than ever so why not??? When you say great rookies...not only Kubek, but Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Bobby Richardson, Maz along with the greats of that era along with the tougher cards....Berra, Aaron, Mays, Ford, Rizzuto, Aparicio, Kluzewski, Kaline, Killebrew, Bauer, Podres, Sanford etc. And they have the contracts with the new players and there are some great ones there they could use. No, I dont expect to pull a HOF or future HOF in every box but better odds would be nice.
I like the idea of something to signify SPs.
I dont have any interest in seeing reverse negatives BUT...what would be great is a special insert of a NON-reverse negative of the Aaron!
Actual 57s would be awesome of course...who would disagree?
How about some of the older players being a part of the chromes? say 10 players?
I like the idea of authentic looking checklists. As somewhat mentioned before....I would love to see inserts of the lucky penny or contest cards.
I like the size of the set. I wouldnt want it to change too drastically. SPs come at a fair rate...and has made the set a lot of fun to put together. And yes, collation for the base set needs a huge improvement.
I like game used...nothing wrong with them as long as they stick to no more than 15 different and keep them simple. Though I will say I cant stand the stadium seat relics. Unattractive and unexciting. I have no idea what could take their place.
I also like Loths idea to reprint some originals like they did with the Bowman Heritage.
And how about a 57 concept card of Stan Musial??
<< <i>And how about a 57 concept card of Stan Musial?? >>
<< <i>How about some of the older players being a part of the chromes? say 10 players? >>
<< <i>--- I love the Mickey Mantle card, with the "ghost" in the background. It would be great if they could do something like that with Jeter or another Yankee. Along the same lines, I think the Aaron card is a reverse negative - little stuff like that would be really neat SP variations. >>
<< <i>---How about some awesome box toppers to make up for the fiasco this year? I love Kuhlmann's idea - how about a PSA graded 1957 Topps card in every box? Most would be commons graded PSA 4-5, etc, but how nice would it be to pull a PSA 8 Mantle or Aaron? >>
loth
Scott
T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
1981 Topps FB PSA 10
1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up
My Sets
GG
<< <i>If you guys are so excited about maybe getting a genuine 1957 card, save some coin and just buy a 1957 topps card. While I think it would be neat, Topps would have to buy up tens of thousands of nice 57 cards then allocate them on the assembly line. Hardly worth the value of the original card to begin with I'm sure. Would you guys really be that excited to get a mid grade 57 Topps common after spending $150+ on 2 boxes? You guys put one heck of a premium on opening wrappers I guess.
GG >>
GG
Let it go already. I think you're missing the point - which is your right but why rain on someone's parade.
The modern collectors think that paying 2 grand for a player they never heard of or saw play is stupid.
mike
Being a big fan of baseball card art, I would like them to do something with a redemption card for original art that is on the back of the cards that Topps creates for Heritage. Granted, they will eventually be at the Toppsvault, but for me it would be fun to pull them as a bonus.
You guys have come up with some great ideas! Keep them coming!
thanx
mike
Carry on...
GG
PS: I didn't say anything about spending 2 grand on anything. Check this bad boy out you vintage 57 topps lovers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=55917&item=5196689685&rd=1
It doesn't come in a wrapper but look at the price!! Seriously now, if topps put this in a heritage pack you guys would be blowing your load. Sell it on ebay and hardly anyone notices... so sad.
How would you feel to get one of these cards that just is a no-name common?
How about they better the randomness of the sorting, so that, say 3 boxes and you are going to get a full set. I (along with many others) have puchased a ton of product and still don't have a complete set.
<< <i>my sincere apologies for the reality check.
Carry on...
GG
PS: I didn't say anything about spending 2 grand on anything. Check this bad boy out you vintage 57 topps lovers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=55917&item=5196689685&rd=1
It doesn't come in a wrapper but look at the price!! Seriously now, if topps put this in a heritage pack you guys would be blowing your load. Sell it on ebay and hardly anyone notices... so sad. >>
GG
You know as well as I that the modern vs. vintage is an ongoing thing. My reference to 2 grand is not directed at you, as such, but rather to make the point that not everyone thinks buying an expensive vintage card of a player they can never see play is worth it.
It's just that no one asked for a vintage vs. modern debate and the bulk of the talk on this forum centers around modern - the vintage is more suited for the registry and vintage card forum.
I like you - don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to pick a fight - just trying to keep it fair - the heritage lovers will spend money with the same gusto as those chasing an elusive "low pop" for the registry.
mike
GG
"Pete Rose would walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball." - Sparky Anderson
The point isnt that we're getting EXCITED about the chance of owning a real 1957 topps card.. most of us probably already own several.. the point was to come up with ideas to make next years Heritage a little more exciting.. but youre always so negative about anything modern..
Let me start over:
ways to make it more exciting:
I still think having redemptions for PSA graded stars from the original 57 set would be a big pull to selling the packs, and the idea of a redemption for a complete set could be a big flag on the packs. "Win a complete vintage 57 set!!!"
I also think that they should make the set smaller thus less cards per pack with the same price thus maintaining margins for the bean counters.
Maybe minimize all the numerous SP and sub sets to a more meaningful number that may be harder to complete, but more worthwile for sustained value over time. Maybe a Yankee auto parallel set mirroring the originals?
Of course, some bizarre printing variation to keep the hardcore followers to keep spending.
Lastly, decrease the quality controll. make tons of off cut cards and diamond cut cards in order to reduce the number of 10s out there. Again, value longevity comes into play again.
I know most of you guys don't care about value over time, but if the companies could find a way to do it... it without a doubt would bring more people into the fold thus giving everyone more to drool over to come.
Better?
GG
<< <i>How about they better the randomness of the sorting, so that, say 3 boxes and you are going to get a full set. I (along with many others) have puchased a ton of product and still don't have a complete set. >>
I think that all of the suggestions are great, and Axtell's is the key for me.
I do not advocate decreasing the size of the master set, but it should be easier to complete. One set per case would be OK, maybe even two cases. This year I understand that it takes closer to three cases, and that is without the light backs.
I have recently bought multiple boxes of two different products, one UD and one Fleer. Both have small base sets, 50 and 90 cards. Its nice to be able to get this set in one or two boxes.
Again, I do not think Heritage should be smaller, but easier to complete. Then we can concentrate on the inserts.
Axtell, my apologies for agreeing with you. I promise it will not happen often. It is against my religion to frequently agree with Bucs fans. Now, if you will excuse me I have to go wash my mouth out with soap.
<< <i>Axtell, my apologies for agreeing with you. I promise it will not happen often. It is against my religion to frequently agree with Bucs fans. Now, if you will excuse me I have to go wash my mouth out with soap >>
<< <i>OK, I'll snort my Zoloft... there (sniff).
Let me start over:
ways to make it more exciting:
I still think having redemptions for PSA graded stars from the original 57 set would be a big pull to selling the packs, and the idea of a redemption for a complete set could be a big flag on the packs. "Win a complete vintage 57 set!!!"
I also think that they should make the set smaller thus less cards per pack with the same price thus maintaining margins for the bean counters.
Maybe minimize all the numerous SP and sub sets to a more meaningful number that may be harder to complete, but more worthwile for sustained value over time. Maybe a Yankee auto parallel set mirroring the originals?
Of course, some bizarre printing variation to keep the hardcore followers to keep spending.
Lastly, decrease the quality controll. make tons of off cut cards and diamond cut cards in order to reduce the number of 10s out there. Again, value longevity comes into play again.
I know most of you guys don't care about value over time, but if the companies could find a way to do it... it without a doubt would bring more people into the fold thus giving everyone more to drool over to come.
Better?
GG >>
GG
Good points. Though, I think the ship has sailed on quality expectations. Everyone expects modern to maintain high quality.
Again, and I can agree with you, don't expect the ever present - ubiquitous Topps - cards to ever be worth enough to fund a retirement home.
But I will tell you, ten years from now, one will have a much better chance of getting some decent money back on a Heritage Master set vs. other stuff out there IMO.
mike
HAVE YA EVER OPENED A PACK OF CARDS AND GOT A 57 TOPPS CARD?????? NO???
CASE SOLVED...PUT EM IN THERE...I WANT TO BUST A PACK AND GET THE THRILL OF PULLING A REAL 57 TOPPS CARD!!!!!!
LOTH
<< <i>
I think that all of the suggestions are great, and Axtell's is the key for me.
Axtell, my apologies for agreeing with you. I promise it will not happen often. It is against my religion to frequently agree with Bucs fans. Now, if you will excuse me I have to go wash my mouth out with soap.
My eyes! My eyes!! They burnnnnnnn!
haha jk
<< <i>For those wondering how much some of the cut signatures might set you back (if they weren't on a Topps Heritage card) >>
Mud
No one's going to argue that point - we discussed the cuts and how the Heritage name was driving the price in some cases - I had asked how rare some the sigs were? There was a signed check of Eddie that had a min. bid of 125$ and went without takers.
I would like them to stick to a core a relevant set autos - HOF'ers and current superstars - but make them relatively accessible.
mike
just like any other modern issue.
I can tell you that they set size/format will not change. Topps has a sure thing here and isn't going to screw that up. Ill admit that the
extra light backs were maybe too much...I also didn't like the added inserts that they had last year that were only found in hobby
boxes.
Back in 2002 I was lucky enough to pull a redemption for a real 1953 card..it was a high # card and I was thrilled with it when I
got it. Call me laim but I thought it was cool to own something over 50 years old. Keep in mind that not everyone who collects
heritage has a closet full of vintage cards. Actually most likely heritage collectors have never seen a real 57 card up close. You
don't have to pull Mays to have fun....these cards are almost 50 years old now...there would be plenty of collectors happy with
pulling something like that. Plus those of you vintage collectors who are afraid you might be diappointed with a pull like that...why
worry, that isn't the reason you are opening the packs anyway right?
Topps will not team up with PSA and buy graded cards, thats just way to pricey. I think inserting one of each card in the set would
be cool...afterall they did it for the first two years...I remember an article about the guy who pulled the Mantle......you would think
the card would be ratty, but it actually looked nice.
I like Mike's idea about topps vault stuff, Im sure that topps has something lying around, but chances are they are too cheap to include
it in a product that costs only 2.99.
I think we must each figure out why we open heritage and how those can be improved. For me personally, the set comes first, that includes
quality, collation, and overall look. The 2002 set was beautiful in my opinion, because topps took their time with it. I want the feel
of 57 when I open the packs, not 2006. I also want mint cards, that doesn't mean 50/50 perfect gloss on everything, but sheets that
come off the printers 80/20 are no good and unacceptable. I still own a BGS 9 Cal Ripken 2001 heritage card. I don't know if any have
been presented to PSA, but that is still a very rare card. Anyone who thinks heritage comes out of the pack perfectly mint doesn't
know the product.
I also open heritage for the autographs. That is what got me hooked back in 2001. I actually came on here in 2001 and blasted heritage
for the stupid look they had given the cards back then.....well that was until I pulled a Warren Spahn auto and got to see the
beauty in that original set...I would still love to own a low quailty set of 52's....if I ever had the money. I knew nothing of that set
before hand, but learned as I collected..I know I wasn't the only one. People will do the same this year with 56 and next year with 57.
well that was too much info, but in a nutshell, better collation and quality to the base sets, and better value in terms of the autos.
Thanks
Kevin
<< <i>I like Mike's idea about topps vault stuff, Im sure that topps has something lying around, but chances are they are too cheap to include >>
Good ideas and input Kevin.
On the art, I was talking about the new cards that they produce - all those cartoons on the backs of the cards that you look at have pen and ink style preliminary drawings - I would like them to include some of the 2006 drawings as a redemption - that will still leave them plenty to auction off in the future.
As Kevin said - the key is a quality set first and foremost. I can pass on most of the inserts except the autos - and like I said - keep them relevant to the set.
Topps needs to beef up the quality control as a key issue - 03, 04 and 05 had their problems from centering, rough cuts to roller imprints.
*One fun thing they could consider is printing the checklists on sheets/on-line and make the actual set checklists extremely rare as it was with the 57T set. Just imagine a checklist in the 06 set booking for 150 bucks!!!
*Also, I would like them to do something with the very rare contest cards - either pick some up to include in the packs or make a "modern" limited insert version - a lot of people don't even know these exist since they're not talked about much.
Just some more stuff to throw in there.
mike
I have to admit I wasnt thinking along the lines of original artwork that is used for that year's heritage. But, 1957s didnt have artwork on the back so maybe the artwork they have used over the past 2-3 years? That would be a great, fun bonus.
If Topps comes though with even half these ideas, I'll be ripping 10 cases!
What suprises me even more is that I dont consider myself much of a modern collector but heritage has me hooked.
I havent seen many ideas for box toppers. I think they have a lot to make up for that, especially to the loyal collectors. Maybe chromes of players from 1957? I would like to see that. Maybe 10-20 different but certainly no more than that.
Another thing I would love to see......remember special offers when you saved your wrappers and sent them to Topps with S+H to get binders, special sets, and items similar? I would like to see something like that...I'd be like a little kid again waiting for my stuff to come back in the mail. They even did that with send away sets as late as 1991 I believe. I dont know if they did that in 57, but I know I would enjoy it.
the grandstand glory had been a perenial favorite of mine, this year they couple it with the flashback cards and they were way overproduced. why not just eliminate them, in favor of the chrome reprints? i think it would strengthen the market.
i also agree topps team auto's should go. why not replace them with autographed originals from the first set and seed them 1 per case? i know 3rd rate players would have to be on the checklist but i'd rather pull an autographed original of gino cimolli than a team topps garvey. again i would buy more cards (boxes and cases) after finishing the set if i knew there was a better chance of pulling something special (to me) like an autographed original of bobby richarson or tony kubek.
even if topps wanted to cut cost they could remove the modern bat or jersey relics and make it about the cards. heritage is the only new stuff i collect but i can't imagine anyone being overjoyed pulling a mass produced manufactered collectible over something that holds more intrinsic or monetary value. pujols bat /jockstrap card or whitey herzog auto on an original topps?
more "ink", less filler in 06!!!!!!!!!
BUT HERITAGE.....even if I am not happy with the company that makes it right now..... is the ULTIMATE PRODUCT.
IF they get it right and increase the auto's and so forth....i might be able to forgive them