Cardboard Review:2021 Topps Archives

70 years of Topps was the theme in 2021 Topps Archives this year.

Archives incorporated one design from each previous decade that Topps has been making baseball cards from the 1950s to the 2010s. Which are the following designs,1957, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1991, 2001 and 2011 designs.

So let's check it out!

In each box of 2021 Topps Archives it comes with 24 packs of 8 cards. Boxes run $120 and come with 2 autographs.

There is also one move poster per box as well.

How cool is this??

BASE:

The base set is 300 cards deep with players from the past, present and future.

PARALLELS:

The following parallels can be found in Archives,

Rainbow Foil /150, Green /125, Silver /99, Red /75, Red Hot Foil /50, Blue Foil /25, Orange Hot Foil /15 and FoilFractor 1/1.

Red Hot foil. I am not a Red Sox fan, but man this card is stunning with team colors.

INSERTS:

Falling at 1:24 packs, is the 1994 Draft Pick design featuring rookies from this year.

1963 Topps Peel Offs fall 1:6 packs and have 15 to collect.

Movie Poster cards fall 1:6 packs with 15 cards to collect.

Bazooka is back..except these packs had no gum but had this 15 card insert set that falls 1:6 packs.

HITS:

2 autographs to find...I have never had any luck pulling big names, but what I will say about Archives is that they include fun names. The guys you don't see in every product.

Jason Kendell

Bazooka Silver border falls 1:1105 packs.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

This was a fun break. I enjoy the throwback designs, the on card autographs and the solid checklist of rookies, veterans and legends.

The box topper movie poster really jumped out at me then the rest was great from there and for some reason or another, I have not gotten tired of seeing that overused photo of Cutch.

I am not sure what the other parallels look like either, but that Devers was quite stunning and I like the fact the product isn't over run with them per box. Makes them more valuable and it's all about the chase!

Your thoughts on Archives is welcomed below!

Arrivals:1996 Pinnacle Pinnacle Power Joe Carter

Being a big time 90's insert collector, I always look for cards that offer the best deal. Whatever is cheapest and shiniest and coolest usually wins my heart.

When I stumbled upon this 1996 Pinnacle Power Joe Carter for $1.25 I thought it was a steal. The card looked amazing and I have always wanted to get my hands onto one. For that price I couldn't go wrong.

These Pinnacle Power cards fell 1:35 packs back in 1996.

 

The cards feature embossing all over including the "power base" in the back that is a bright beautiful rainbow foil.

  

Back of the card shows a smilin' Joe

I was happy when I snagged it for that price but even happier once I got the card in-hand.

(full disclosure, the problem with adding a card like this, I really want the set now. So if you have any that's not Joe Carter, send em my way!)

Top 5:1991 Upper Deck Baseball (500+) Base Cards

Oh yes, the simple yet elegant base cards Upper Deck put out the first three years they were in the hobby. Even with a border, they knew exactly what they were doing and even though the designs were similar, they just continued to up-their-game and make a presence in the hobby.

Today, I want to take a look at my Top 5 favorite base cards from number 500 and up. You may agree on some, but not others. That's what makes this hobby fun, difference of opinions and difference of likes. If we all felt the same, well, we would be pretty bored.

Starting at #5, Joe Carter doing the original "bat flip". Wonder his thought on Bautistas....

#4 you just want to say FORE! or I got it, I got it, I got it! You don't see a lot of these kinda angles anymore. I will also note I totally dig these Expo uni's.

#3 has you wondering how often do you get to see images of players signing things at ball games on cards? Answer, not very often. I like the images that capture more than just the game on the field and showcases a bit of a players personality as some won't sign..

#2 is not only is this Faries rookie, being able to capture this moment on the field is amazing. Safe, out, you make the call. Dirt on the plate too!

And #1, I know it's nothing over the top spectacular, but, sliding is just as important in baseball as a bat and ball. Once again, Upper Deck went above and beyond with this image of Fernandez helping us feel like we are right there on the base waiting try and tag him.

I think my selection of the Top 5 cards from 1991 Upper Deck cards #d 500 and up is pretty solid. However, would love to hear your take! Would you choose one over the other on this list? Do you have your own list from cards #500 and up? Are you offended I left the Bagwell rookie off this list? Let me hear it!