How hard will it be to complete a run of TOPPS REFRACTORS Cardinals Team Sets?

frankhardy

I just finished a run of Cardinals team sets of Topps Chrome from 1996 to present. It was a little more expensive than I thought, but it wasn't too painful. Now, I have the refractor bug. How difficult is it going to be for me to find every Cardinals Topps Chrome Refractor from 1996 to present?

Also, along those same lines - I know the 2001 Pujols is called a "Retrofractor". Is that the same thing as a refractor or is that one separate?

PS - Anybody have any laying around that they would want to sell?

frankhardy

Anybody have an idea? Anybody care?

TNP777

Shane, I wouldn't think it'd be too hard. Expensive, yes, but hard, no. You'll need some patience, too. Obviously, the biggest barrier/expense will be Pujols, but with the way Topps ran/runs the presses, you shouldn't have any trouble finding the cards. I've picked up a few Dodger refractors over the years, but mainly contented myself with the base chrome sets.

MeteoriteGuy

If doing a refractor set, I would limit it to those that say just "refractor" on the back, and not include "Retrofractors", the X-Fractors, the color refractors or the superfractors (1/1's), or like. I would consider them different sets.

TNP777

<< <i>If doing a refractor set, I would limit it to those that say just "refractor" on the back, and not include "Retrofractors", the X-Fractors, the color refractors or the superfractors (1/1's), or like. I would consider them different sets. >>

yep - if doing those additional variations, you are then chasing a 'rainbow' of sets.

frankhardy

I agree 100% - plain refractors it is. The only question I have is the 2001 Topps Traded Pujols. I have never seen a "Refractor". I've only seen a "Retrofractor", but it looks like a plain refractor, nothing special. Can anyone confirm?

By the way, the Chrome team sets look fabulous in an album. I'm glad I got those.

NickM

For whatever reason, they call it a Retrofractor, but it's the refractor from that set.

Nick

frankhardy

<< <i>For whatever reason, they call it a Retrofractor, but it's the refractor from that set.

Nick >>



Is that just for the Pujols card or is that for all refractors from 2001? Is that the only year they called them "retrofractors"?

Thanks.

saucywombat

Why not 93 to present?

Sean1125

I don't think it would be nearly as hard as completing some vintage sets since there are still many cheaper sealed boxes available... Just more expensive

EAsports

<< <i>Is that just for the Pujols card or is that for all refractors from 2001? Is that the only year they called them "retrofractors"?

Thanks. >>



All refractors and yes.

2001 was Topps "50th Anniversary", thus the retro tag.

When you search, I do suggest searching both "refractor" and "retrofractor."

From my experience with the Ben Sheets cards from those years, it's about 5:1 listed as a "refractor."

1954

Shane
I love the Bowman Chrome cards and I started a refractor set from 2009 set but have decided not to go through with it. I have 65 refractors with some stars and I might have a few Cardinals if you are interested in them. PM me if interested.

Shane

frankhardy

<< <i>Why not 93 to present? >>



Right now, I am just doing Chrome Refractors which basically parallel the base set. I think 1993 is Finest isn't it? I have not branched out to Finest yet, thought I probably will one day? Please let me know if I'm wrong.

saucywombat

<< <i>

<< <i>Why not 93 to present? >>



Right now, I am just doing Chrome Refractors which basically parallel the base set. I think 1993 is Finest isn't it? I have not branched out to Finest yet, thought I probably will one day? Please let me know if I'm wrong. >>



When you said collecting all Cardinal topps refractors I just assumed 93 as that was the first appearance of refractors in the hobby. 93 was just Finest refractors, 94 Bowman's Best joined the club, and then explosion. Of course in 93 everyone was saying "Topps Finest"

I am working on a 90's run of Finest Refractors and noticed that someone had done the Cardinals team set on the 1995 registry.

digicat

The "Retrofractor" is called that because while it's a refractor on the front, it's brown cardboard-stock on the back. A horrible idea, if you ask me. I'm glad Topps only did that for one year.

Here's an example:

Regular Chrome:


Retrofractor:

frankhardy

Interesting. Thanks for the info.