on
TCDB
- Get link
- Other Apps
Long time readers will know that I am a huge fan of the Topps Allen & Ginter brand. Each year, that's the one set that I'm sure to try and collect. This year, I went all out and preordered myself a case - a move that will probably pay off since Topps increased the number of short prints in the base set from the usual 50 to now 100 different cards (and that's not counting the "In Action" partial parallel of the base set)!
Box 1:
Let's start by taking a look at the base set design for this year.
In a word, it's "colorful." I think I like the additional splashes of color, if nothing else this year's design stands out from many of the previous designs. Happily, the card back design is unchanged from the original 2006 set! I do appreciate the continuity with the brand's overall aesthetic.
Each hobby box comes with a box topper, mine was (no surprise) a Dodger:
That's a nice looking Mookie Betts, I'll give it that. I'm currently undecided if I'm going to try and build the box topper set or not so for the moment I'm holding onto this one.
This year, Topps introduced a new full parallel set of the base set - a shiny bordered "Foil Filagree" set. My box produced two such cards:
Honestly, I don't think Ginter needed yet another parallel set but I will be seeking that Barry Larkin Foil Filagree because I'm a hypocrite.
Moving on to the main chase of Ginter (for me, anyhow) - the mini inserts!
My box produced five such inserts highlighted by a pair of "The World of Wonder" cards. I think that set is my favorite from what I've seen thus far - and I'll definitely be seeking out the entire 50 card checklist. Speaking of seeking cards, if you have any unwanted A&G mini inserts from this year, let me know as I'd love to trade for them!
Finally, we get to the hits for the first box. Each hobby box promises three hits and my delivered quite nicely with a framed relic, a framed autograph, and a full-sized relic.
I can't hope for much more than that out of a single box of Ginter - that Tom Glavine auto is particularly nice if you ask me!
That does it for the first box of 2023 Allen & Ginter. No Barry Larkin cards this time around (he's a short print this year) but I did get a few nice hits plus I started three of the mini insert sets. A solid beginning to the case for sure, here's hoping it keeps up that way!
Solid first box. Hope it's a sign of good things to come!
ReplyDeleteSaid it elsewhere but the base design this year gives me holiday vibes—even moreso with the foil parallels. That World of Wonder set though looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYour first box was so similar to mine. Same box topper and first hit (Moncada). I got several of the same minis too! Glavine auto puts your box at one level up.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are going to be singles from that Wonders of the World set that I'll be adding to my collection. That Yosemite card is one of them... plus I'm crossing my fingers that the Golden Gate Bridge made the checklist.
ReplyDelete