Enigma
01-23-2009, 05:40 AM
First and foremost, I'd like to thank the fine folks at Topps for providing us with these 3 packs for this review.
http://www.blowoutcards.com/images/baseball/2008bowmansterlingBB.jpg
Product Description
6 packs per box
5 cards per pack
MSRP: $235.99 - $249.99
EVERY 4-BOX CASE IS GUARANTEED:
- At Least 1 Dual Autographed Card!
EVERY 5-CARD PACK CONTAINS:
- 2 Autographed Cards
- 1 Relic or Autographed Relic Card
- 1 Rookie Card
- 1 Prospect Card
EVERY 6-PACK DISPLAY BOX CONTAINS:
- 12 Autographed Cards
- 2 Autographed Relic Cards
- 4 Veteran Relic Cards
- 6 Rookie Cards
- 6 Prospect Cards
- 1 Box Loader Card
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
AUTOGRAPHED CARDS - 2 PER PACK! 12 PER BOX!
- Rookies(20)
- Prospects(50)
- Dual Autographed Cards(20 subs/10 cards) - 1 per 4-box case!
AUTOGRAPHED RELIC CARDS - 2 PER BOX!
- Autographed Relic Cards(18)
RELIC CARDS - 4 PER BOX!
- Relic Card(50)
ROOKIE CARDS - 6 PER BOX!
- Rookie Cards(50) - 1 per pack!
PROSPECT CARDS - 6 PER BOX!
- Prospect Cards(50) - 1 per pack!
PARALLEL CARDS
(All Autographed, Autographed Relic, Relic, Rookie, and Prospect cards)
- Red Parallel(258) - Each is a one of one.
- Black Parallel(258) - Seq. #'d to 25.
- NEW! Gold(258) - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Refractor(258) - Seq. #'d to 199.
PRINTING PLATES(170 subs/680 cards) - ALL ONE OF ONE!
The 4 plates used to make the Autographed Rookie and Prospects cards, and the 100 non-autographed Rookie and Prospect cards.
BOX LOADER - 1 PER BOX!
- NEW! Rookie Card Variations(10) - Numbered.
Available in the following refractor versions:
- Red Parallel(10) - One of One.
- Black Parallel(10) - Seq. #'d to 25.
- NEW! Gold(10) - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Refractor(10) - Seq. #'d to 199.
VIDEO BREAK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PmjvYzL_Dg
WHAT WE PULLED
Base (4/70) - 5.71%
Dupes - 0
Refractors - 2
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF01222009_00000.jpg
The base cards from Bowman Sterling are on a thin white card stock. Both sides of the card are glossed over, with more on the front, causing a small curve in the card due to the balance of weight. The design features the players in a batting or pitching pose. The set's name is at the bottom inside of a figure in the shape of home plate. The player's name runs across it in a banner along with the team name attached underneath.
The rookie cards are a bit different the players are pictured in an oval border. The player's are shown in action shots at the plate or on the mound. The player's position and jersey number are also shown at the bottom of the cards.
The refractor version looks like the base version except for the type of gloss used on the cards. These refractors give a prism (rainbow) effect when you look at them from different angles or simply move them in the light. These are numbered to 199. There are also gold, black and red refractor parallels numbered to 50 or less and are easily identified by the color of the card.
Base (4): Tom Hagan, Ryan Morris, Brett Gardner RC, Nick Stavinoha RC
Refractor /199 (2): Luke Hochevar, Braeden Schlehuber
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF01222009_00001.jpg
Each pack of Bowman Sterling yields 2 auto and 1 relic or 1 auto/relic card. The basic relic cards have 50 subjects in the set. These relics use the same refractor system as the base cards with the same print run for the numbering. The design is similar to the base rookie cards except for the relic. It is displayed toward the middle of the card in a diamond shape to match the design of an infield.
Relic (1) - Matt Holliday Bat
Relic Refractor /199 (1) - Hanley Ramirez Jersey
There are 70 individual auto cards to match the players in the base set. Ten dual auto cards can also be found throughout this release. The auto cards match the base cards in design other than having the sticker auto under the photo. These cards also use the same refractor system as the base cards.
Auto (4) - Anthony Hewitt, Buster Posey, Greg Halman, Chris Tillman
Refractor Auto /199 (2) - Seth Smith, Eric Hacker
The final type of card is the auto/relic. There are 18 subjects in this set and you get 2 per master box on average. The card will feature either an auto and jersey or an auto and bat swatch. These cards a re a little dirrent in design in the fact they run horizontal. The player is pictured to one side with the relic at the top of the card. The auto is located underneath the relic. As previous mentioned, these also use the same refractor system.
Auto/Relic (1) - Jesus Montero Auto/Jersey
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4.5/5
Fun: 5/5
Overall design: 4/5
Value: 3.25/5
Re-buy: 2.5/5
Overall: 19.25/25 (77%)
Bowman Sterling is a wonderful product for those who like a lot of bang for their buck when opening a pack. Each pack comes with three hits. Including the auto/relic cards, there are 14 autos per box on average. In today's hobby, numerous collectors love that aspect.
The design of the cards are nice. The gloss of Sterling cards is reminiscent to the Chrome series. The little design features are not overstated and the focus remains on the player pictured.
The aspect of 2 autos per pack is nice, but you are left wondering what the process is in the choices made for who is featured in the product. Some of the subjects are first and second round picks while others are simply free agents. Would be nice to simplify things and feature possibly only the players from the first two rounds and use the dual autos as a teammates type of series.
Bowman Sterling is a "very high end" type of product and one a lot of collectors are not willing to shell out the money to obtain. Though there are 3 hits per pack and that adds to the luster and mystique, many would be hard pressed to invest more money into purchasing more boxes thanks to the hefty price tag.
If you are looking for a lot of autos and relics in one place, then Bowman Sterling is your product. If looking for a set that features a lot of up and comers to baseball, once again, Bowman Sterling is your product. If you are looking merely for an investment, this is probably not for you.
Once again, I'd like to thank our fine sponsors at Topps for providing us with these packs and the opportunity to review the product.
http://www.blowoutcards.com/images/baseball/2008bowmansterlingBB.jpg
Product Description
6 packs per box
5 cards per pack
MSRP: $235.99 - $249.99
EVERY 4-BOX CASE IS GUARANTEED:
- At Least 1 Dual Autographed Card!
EVERY 5-CARD PACK CONTAINS:
- 2 Autographed Cards
- 1 Relic or Autographed Relic Card
- 1 Rookie Card
- 1 Prospect Card
EVERY 6-PACK DISPLAY BOX CONTAINS:
- 12 Autographed Cards
- 2 Autographed Relic Cards
- 4 Veteran Relic Cards
- 6 Rookie Cards
- 6 Prospect Cards
- 1 Box Loader Card
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
AUTOGRAPHED CARDS - 2 PER PACK! 12 PER BOX!
- Rookies(20)
- Prospects(50)
- Dual Autographed Cards(20 subs/10 cards) - 1 per 4-box case!
AUTOGRAPHED RELIC CARDS - 2 PER BOX!
- Autographed Relic Cards(18)
RELIC CARDS - 4 PER BOX!
- Relic Card(50)
ROOKIE CARDS - 6 PER BOX!
- Rookie Cards(50) - 1 per pack!
PROSPECT CARDS - 6 PER BOX!
- Prospect Cards(50) - 1 per pack!
PARALLEL CARDS
(All Autographed, Autographed Relic, Relic, Rookie, and Prospect cards)
- Red Parallel(258) - Each is a one of one.
- Black Parallel(258) - Seq. #'d to 25.
- NEW! Gold(258) - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Refractor(258) - Seq. #'d to 199.
PRINTING PLATES(170 subs/680 cards) - ALL ONE OF ONE!
The 4 plates used to make the Autographed Rookie and Prospects cards, and the 100 non-autographed Rookie and Prospect cards.
BOX LOADER - 1 PER BOX!
- NEW! Rookie Card Variations(10) - Numbered.
Available in the following refractor versions:
- Red Parallel(10) - One of One.
- Black Parallel(10) - Seq. #'d to 25.
- NEW! Gold(10) - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Refractor(10) - Seq. #'d to 199.
VIDEO BREAK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PmjvYzL_Dg
WHAT WE PULLED
Base (4/70) - 5.71%
Dupes - 0
Refractors - 2
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF01222009_00000.jpg
The base cards from Bowman Sterling are on a thin white card stock. Both sides of the card are glossed over, with more on the front, causing a small curve in the card due to the balance of weight. The design features the players in a batting or pitching pose. The set's name is at the bottom inside of a figure in the shape of home plate. The player's name runs across it in a banner along with the team name attached underneath.
The rookie cards are a bit different the players are pictured in an oval border. The player's are shown in action shots at the plate or on the mound. The player's position and jersey number are also shown at the bottom of the cards.
The refractor version looks like the base version except for the type of gloss used on the cards. These refractors give a prism (rainbow) effect when you look at them from different angles or simply move them in the light. These are numbered to 199. There are also gold, black and red refractor parallels numbered to 50 or less and are easily identified by the color of the card.
Base (4): Tom Hagan, Ryan Morris, Brett Gardner RC, Nick Stavinoha RC
Refractor /199 (2): Luke Hochevar, Braeden Schlehuber
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF01222009_00001.jpg
Each pack of Bowman Sterling yields 2 auto and 1 relic or 1 auto/relic card. The basic relic cards have 50 subjects in the set. These relics use the same refractor system as the base cards with the same print run for the numbering. The design is similar to the base rookie cards except for the relic. It is displayed toward the middle of the card in a diamond shape to match the design of an infield.
Relic (1) - Matt Holliday Bat
Relic Refractor /199 (1) - Hanley Ramirez Jersey
There are 70 individual auto cards to match the players in the base set. Ten dual auto cards can also be found throughout this release. The auto cards match the base cards in design other than having the sticker auto under the photo. These cards also use the same refractor system as the base cards.
Auto (4) - Anthony Hewitt, Buster Posey, Greg Halman, Chris Tillman
Refractor Auto /199 (2) - Seth Smith, Eric Hacker
The final type of card is the auto/relic. There are 18 subjects in this set and you get 2 per master box on average. The card will feature either an auto and jersey or an auto and bat swatch. These cards a re a little dirrent in design in the fact they run horizontal. The player is pictured to one side with the relic at the top of the card. The auto is located underneath the relic. As previous mentioned, these also use the same refractor system.
Auto/Relic (1) - Jesus Montero Auto/Jersey
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4.5/5
Fun: 5/5
Overall design: 4/5
Value: 3.25/5
Re-buy: 2.5/5
Overall: 19.25/25 (77%)
Bowman Sterling is a wonderful product for those who like a lot of bang for their buck when opening a pack. Each pack comes with three hits. Including the auto/relic cards, there are 14 autos per box on average. In today's hobby, numerous collectors love that aspect.
The design of the cards are nice. The gloss of Sterling cards is reminiscent to the Chrome series. The little design features are not overstated and the focus remains on the player pictured.
The aspect of 2 autos per pack is nice, but you are left wondering what the process is in the choices made for who is featured in the product. Some of the subjects are first and second round picks while others are simply free agents. Would be nice to simplify things and feature possibly only the players from the first two rounds and use the dual autos as a teammates type of series.
Bowman Sterling is a "very high end" type of product and one a lot of collectors are not willing to shell out the money to obtain. Though there are 3 hits per pack and that adds to the luster and mystique, many would be hard pressed to invest more money into purchasing more boxes thanks to the hefty price tag.
If you are looking for a lot of autos and relics in one place, then Bowman Sterling is your product. If looking for a set that features a lot of up and comers to baseball, once again, Bowman Sterling is your product. If you are looking merely for an investment, this is probably not for you.
Once again, I'd like to thank our fine sponsors at Topps for providing us with these packs and the opportunity to review the product.