Something is missing

Back in February I showed off my first 2021 Cutch cards (specifically a 70 Years of Topps insert using the 1955 design).  

I also showed off the 5x7 Topps Online Exclusive Gold Parallel numbered to 10 copies.  You can revisit that post here.

I included both card scans below.

One thing is missing from the oversized 5x7 Gold Parallel.

The fascimile autograph.

I sought out and added something to correct that problem.

Topps released a 52 card autograph set limited to 10 copies or less of several athletes used for the 70 Years of Topps. 

Above is the 2021 Topps 70 Years of Topps limited autograph.  As you can see it is a sticker autograph placed where the traditional fascimile autograph would be.

The back is serially numbered to only 5 copies.  Oddly enough there aren't any markings on the card regarding a certified autograph besides the sticker.  I researched some of the other players included in this autograph set (Jeter, Trout, McGwire, etc) and they all have the standard information on Topps autograph cards missing.  You know the normal blurbs I am talking about the signing of all autographs are witnessed by Topps representatives to confirm authentication (or something like that)

I don't know if this was just an oversight on Topps for this insert release or if they will be getting away from putting official certification on cards in the future.

Hey! Can you give me a hand?

Every now and then I pick up an item for my Cutch collection that goes beyond cardboard and I get really excited about it.  I've shown off some pretty cool items in the past which I may go into a recap post in the future, but below is an item that is a first for me.

Above is my first pair of game used batting gloves.  They were both autographed by Andrew McCutchen and both have a game used inscription by Cutch.

They come certified by Hunt's Auctions.

Best of all though you can see Cutch wearing this style batting glove on a variety of his Phillies cards from 2019 to 2021.

2021 Topps 70 Years of Topps 1955 design insert

2020 Topps Fire green parallel

2019 Topps Heritage Throwback Uniform 5x7

2020 Topps Big League blue parallel

2020 Topps Series 2 Independance Day parallel

2020 Topps 1985 Patch relic red border

2020 Topps Museum

2019 Topps Tek purple

2020 Topps Triple Threads "Getting Started" gold triple relic parallel

How would you display an item like this? Shadowbox? Frame?

Both showing the signed side or one side,showing the game use? Should I put some 5x7s inside it? 

Give me your thoughts...

My 1st 2021 Cutch cards

When Topps Flagship 2021 came out a few weeks ago I was surprised to see three different insert sets that Cutch was included in.  I placed an order with Brentandbecca via eBay and got all three of my cards shortly there after.

You may recall earlier this week that I showed off a gold 5x7 card and stated I wanted to build a run of Cutch cards using each design of Topps Flagship 1952-2021.  

I have the standard size card in hand now so I will be getting that post ready to go some time next month to see how close/far away from that goal I am.  I think the mid 1990s to mid 2000s will be the hardest to accomplish.

This card looks awesome in person.  The blue background, yellow base, and red lettering all pop in a very prime way.

The back of the card focuses on the 1955 set.

Next up is the 1986 insert celebrating 35 years of Topps 1986.  I never noticed this on the original set, but there are way more triangles in the team logos than I remembered.  I thought that this was just Topps way to be cutesy and artsy following the success of Project2020, but I referenced some original 1986 cards and sure enough Michael Jack Schmidt had logos that looked identical.

I really like the throwback uniforms for the Phillies.  I also like this candid image of Cutch just joking and having fun.

The back is very reminiscing of the original 1986 design.  I LOVE the trivia bit at the bottom.  I remember that game when Cutch launched three homers in a game versus Washington.  It was so exciting to see the Pirates have a 22 year old rookie with a ceiling so high come up and impress not just Pittsburgh fans, but the nation as a whole.

It's not just the homers, the stolen bases, diving catches, and crazy on field swagger that drew me to like Andrew McCutchen as a fan though.  It was Cutch's humble nature and the way he constantly gives back to the community that made him such a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.

This image of Cutch in a suit signing for fans with shades and dreads is how I remember Cutch in the majors.  The dude is a class act all the way.  

I was honestly most excited to see Cutch get recognized for inclusion in this insert set.  Not only is it a unique idea for an insert set, it also features things that aren't baseball related and shows players in images they normally don't put on standard trading cards.  I am planning to collect the entire set of this insert series.

So those three cards are my first 2021 standard size cards of Cutch I have in hand.  I will be going after parallels of all of them so if you come across any, keep me in mind.

Have you gotten any 2021 cards?

What inserts have you been excited about this year?

Golden Age of Parallels and Retro Designs

If you like vintage themed baseball cards, you're in luck.

Even before Topps Heritage became a yearly release, card companies would use modern players on retro designs.  I remember getting old issues of Tuff Stuff and inside would be retro designs of Then star players like Ken Griffey Jr and Frank Thomas.

Now there are at least 3 releases a year that focus on Flagship Topps designs.  Topps Heritage is about 50 years apart from the original design to current year.  This year Topps will be utilizing the 1972 design for the 2021 release.  

Topps has also be using a 35th anniversary since 2018 as an insert set in their main flagship release.  This year features the 1986 design.

Topps also releases their Archives brand that shows off 3-4 designs for active and retired players.   

Topps is celebrating their 70th anniversary this year and they have an insert set in Series 1 showing players on older designs.  One of my goals is to get Andrew McCutchen on a baseball card design from 1952 to his retirement.  

Topps has goofed this up for me by not including him in the 2020 Archives release and "doubling up" on older designs.

With Cutch being part of the 70 years of Topps Baseball insert and being shown on the 1955 design, I am one step closer to completing that goal.  You can revisit a post I made in 2017 about Cutch being on older designs from the 80s here.

Like everything Topps produces, there are parallels to chase too.  Below you will see the 5x7 Gold parallel numbered to only 10 copies.

I received this 5x7 before receiving the standard size card.

The back just discusses the original design and release information.

Above is the 5x7 pictured in scale with a standard trading card to give the magnitude of how big it is.

Do you like any large format cards?

Have you tried collecting a single player on other designs that weren't from their playing career days?