Barry Larkin
Year: 1996
Brand: Leaf Signature Series
Parallel set: Gold Press Proof
Card number: 42
A few days ago, I showed off Barry's regular base card from the 1996 Leaf Signature Series. Today, I return with the Gold Press Proof parallel. The Gold Press Proof parallels were originally seeded 1:12 hobby packs. Unlike a lot of other Leaf products of the era, the Leaf Signature Series set only had one version of the Press Proof parallel, which is good given how expensive the packs of the product were back in the day (suggested retail price was $9.99 per pack in 1996)! I should note that the Extended Series (cards #101-150 did have a Platinum Press Proof #/150 as well, but the regular series did not).
As for this particular card, I think I've made my feelings pretty clear in the past regarding Leaf Press Proof parallels. The parallel almost always follows the same pattern: random foil stamping and nothing else. I find the concept of the parallel to be quite lackluster, and while this particular Larkin card is fairly rare, it's not exactly an amazing-looking piece of cardboard with the extra random huge stamp slapped on the front of the card. As always, I'm happy to have the card in my collection...but not every Barry Larkin card can be the best Barry Larkin card!
When you factor in how expensive these packs were back in 1996... I figured that these gold press proof singles were going to be pricey too. Found a Gwynn, Maddux, and Thomas on COMC for a little over $10 each which seemed pretty reasonable. Not sure I'll pull the trigger and buy them though.
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