SCF Official Review: 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Topps for providing us with this box.



24 packs per box
10 cards per pack
Current Retail Price (online): 159.99 - 179.99

Product Description

2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball
Topps updates N147 Gypsy Queen with vibrantly colored, elegantly designed base cards, relic and autograph cards, original art cards, printing plates, stamp relic cards, and a unique box loader concept!

Issued in 1887, the N174 Gypsy Queen baseball card set featured sepia images of over 130 baseball players of the era on elegantly designed cards. Topps modernizes the original with vibrantly colored base cards, relic and autograph cards, original art cards, printing plates, and Gypsy Queen inserts!

Each 24-Count Hobby Box Contains
- 2 Autograph Cards
- 2 Relic Cards
- One 10-Card Mini Box Loader


CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS
BASE CARDS - 8 Per Pack
Veterans, Retired Players & Rookies - 400 subjects

Short-printed Variation Cards - 50 subjects


PARALLEL CARDS - 1 Per Pack
Stamp Relic Card - The entire 450 base set paralleled! Each card is highlighted with a stamp commemorating the player's city/state/country of origin. Numbered to 10.

Framed Paper - All 450 base cards beautifully embellished with a paper frame overlay and numbered to 999 - 1 per Hobby Box!

Gold - 100 subjects from the base set daubed with bright UV coating and foil stamped "Gypsy Queen" - 1 per Pack!


MINI PARALLEL CARDS 1.4687" x 2.6875" - 1 Per Pack
Gypsy Queen Leather - The base set paralleled on diminutive, durable, simulated leather cards and numbered to 10. Hobby only!

Gypsy Queen Sepia Tone - A nod to the original as these sepia toned card fronts flaunt all 450 Gypsy Queen base card subjects. Numbered to 99.

Gypsy Queen Back - The historic Gypsy Queen logo highlights the card backs of this base card parallel.

Gypsy Queen Black Border - A black border surrounds these card fronts and backs.

Minis - The 450-card base set miniaturized! 1 per Pack!

Mini Variations - 100 players are selected and showcased on variation cards inserted exclusively in the mini box! - Hobby only!


AUTOGRAPH CARDS - 2 Per Box!
Triple Autograph Relic Cards - These cards feature 3 players, 3 autographs and 3 game-used swatches. Ten cards in all and numbered to 10.

Dual Autograph Relic Cards - 2 players, 2 autographs and 2 game-used relics. Ten cards in all and numbered to 15.

Autograph Relic Cards - 20 players sign their name directly on each of these cards also displaying a game-used memento. Numbered to 25.

Autograph Mini Relic Cards - These framed minis exhibit both an on-card autograph and a relic from 20 players. Numbered to 25.

Autograph Cards - ON-CARD autographs from veterans, rookies and retired stars.

60th Anniversary Autographed Cards - Sixty players past and present have signed these cards along with an additional inscription wishing Topps a "Happy 60th!" All autographs and inscriptions are signed directly on each card numbered to 60. Three players' cards will be inserted into each baseball product throughout 2011. Hobby Only!


RELIC CARDS - 2 Per Box
Relic Cards - Game-used bats or jerseys from 30 veterans and legends enhance these cards.

Mini Relic Cards - Game-used bats or jerseys of veterans and retired stars enhance these framed cards.


ORIGINAL ART PATCH CARDS
Each of these 50 unique player portrait cards are hand-drawn and are ornamented with a game-used patch. One of One! Hobby only!


INSERT CARDS - 18 Per Box
The Great Ones - Honoring 30 legends who have led the league in a statistical category.

Home Run Heroes - 25 veterans and retired stars who have lead the league in Home Runs or had game-changing Home Runs.

Future Stars - 20 promising up and comers.

All insert cards also appear as a mini parallel at a rate of 3 per mini box.


PRINTING PLATES - One of One!
Printing Plates - One of One versions of the 450 card base set. Hobby Only!

Mini Printing Plates - 625 subjects from the base, short-prints, mini variations and insert card sets highlighted as One of One framed printing plates. Hobby Only!


BOX LOADER
6 mini parallels, 3 mini inserts and 1 exclusive mini variation card in every mini box.


BONUS HITS
Insert Cards - A colorful caravan of 20 mysterious Gypsy Queens

Autograph Cards - Personally inscribed by each intriguing Gypsy Queen

Jewel Cards - Each of the Gypsy Queens is featured with a magical talisman.

WHAT WE PULLED



Base: 184/300 (61.3%)
SPs: 6/50 (12%)

Future Stars (6)
The Great One (6)
Gypsy Queens (1)
Home Run Heroes (6)
Framed Paper /999 (6): Jim Palmer, Christy Mathewson, Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Gonzalez, Dale Murphy, Red Schoedienst



Mini (23)
Mini SP Variation (1): Johan Santana
Mini Black (2)
Mini Red Gypsy Queen Back (4)
Mini The Great Ones (1)
Mini Home Run Heroes (1)
Mini Future Stars (1)
Mini Sepia /99 (1): Mark Teixeira



Evan Longoria Auto



Evan Longoria Mini Framed Jersey



Alex Rodriguez Jersey



FINAL RATINGS

Base - 4/5
Design - 4.5/5
Fun - 4/5
Value - 2.5/5
Rebuy - 2.5/5

Total - 17.5/25 (70%)

Gypsy Queen continues a trend by Topps to release sets that bring a product idea from generations ago to today. It contains a 350-card base set, 50 of which are short prints running on average of 1 in every 4 packs. The border has an old paper quality look and the players are featured in a picture window reminiscent of what you would see used in actual windows back in the late 1800s. All subjects are shown as painted representations.

There are many parallels of each of the base cards. Three Framed Border versions (not including the printing plates) can be found. On top to that, each card has six mini versions, including a short print variation of the regular base mini. Each pack will yield a mini card. There is a box loader that contains 10 additional mini cards (6 regular, 1 SP Variation, 3 Inserts).

Three chase sets encompassing the past, present and future of baseball are represented in 3 out of every 4 packs. A fourth set is devoted to actual gypsy queens from around the world. These usually appear once per box. And for "money" card enthusiasts, you will find three autographs or relics in every box on average.

The design work and picture quality of Gypsy Queen is magnificent. The painted images give a true-to-life portrayal of all the subjects. However, I can't help but feel this is nothing more than Allan & Ginter revisited. I cannot see the need to release virtually the same type of set twice in the same year. In addition, the price point is brutal. It is in borderline high-end territory and Gypsy Queen certainly is not a high-end product. If this was the only product of its kind, I could see collectors flocking to it. But being basically a rehash, you will probably find more enjoyment and value with Allen & Ginter and get the same amount of return.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Topps for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. For more information on all their products, visit them today at www.topps.com.

[TheTGB]

Have you been reading my blog Tony? I said the exact same thing that it feels like A&G. :) Just with "Gypsies" instead of their non-sport inserts.

At least you didn't pull a Gypsy autograph as one of your hits.