SCF Official Review: 2009 Topps Tribute

[Enigma]

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



6 packs per box
5 cards per pack
Current Retail Price: $284.99 - $299.99 (Online)

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
- 3 Autographed Relic Cards Per Box
- 3 Relic Cards Per Box
- 6 Parallel Cards Numbered to 199 or less Per Box
- Hobby Exclusive
- 1 Autographed Relic or Relic Card Per Pack!


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Insertion rates are based on estimated production levels, which may vary from the actual insertion rates to be published on product packaging.

BASE CARDS - 100 Subjects - 3 per pack
Topps pays homage to the 100 best rookie, veteran, and legendary baseball stars on hobby-popular "Tribute" technology.
- Rookies (3 subjects)
- Veterans (14 subjects)
- Retired Legends (83 subjects)

REFRACTOR PARALLEL CARDS - 900 card variations - 3 PER BOX/1 PER PACK
The 100 base cards subjects are Refracted and numbered.
- Red (100 subjects) - Numbered 1/1
- Framed Printing Plates (100 subjects/400 cards) - Numbered 1/1
- Gold (100 subjects) - Numbered to 50
- Black (100 subjects) - Numbered to 99
- Blue (100 subjects) - Numbered to 219

AUTOGRAPHED RELIC CARDS - 375 card variations - 3 PER BOX /1 IN EVERY OTHER PACK
- Variation Cards (47 subjects) - Forty-seven players from the base set on autograph relic variation cards, numbered to 99.
- Variation Cards Dual (15 subjects) - Fifteen players from the base set with their signature and 2 relics, numbered to 99.
- Variation Cards Triple (5 subjects) - 5 outstanding subjects appear with an autograph and 3 relics, numbered to 99.
*Variation Refractor Parallel Cards
-Red w/ Patch Piece (67 subjects) - Numbered 1/1 and featuring a patch piece
-Gold (67 subjects) - Numbered to 25
-Black (67 subjects) - Numbered to 50
-Blue (67 subjects) - Numbered to 75

- Franchise Tributes Dual (10 cards/20 subjects) - These book cards spotlight 2 teammates with 2 autographs and 2 relic pieces from each player and are numbered to 25.
- Franchise Tributes Quad (5 Cards/20 subjects) - Popular book cards, featuring 4 players representing the same team franchise, highlighted with 4 autographs and 4 relic pieces and numbered to 25.
*Franchise Tributes Parallel (15 Cards/20 subjects) - Topps Franchise Tributes Dual and Quad cards are paralleled in Red Numbered 1/1 versions.
- Cut Above the Rest (10 subjects) - Cut Signatures - Ten 1/1 cards with an actual signature from a MLB® Legend.

RELIC CARDS - 365 card variations - 3 PER BOX /1 IN EVERY OTHER PACK
- Variation Cards (47 subjects) - Forty-seven players from the base set on relic variation cards, numbered to 99.
- Variation Cards Dual (15 subjects) - Fifteen players from the base set with 2 relics, numbered to 99.
- Variation Cards Triple (5 subjects) - 5 notable subjects appear with 3 relics, numbered to 99.
*Variation Refractor Parallel Cards - All Relic variation cards are available in the following Refracted and Numbered parallels:
-Red w/ Patch Piece (67 subjects) - Numbered 1/1 and featuring a patch piece
-Gold (67 subjects) - Numbered to 25
-Black (67 subjects) - Numbered to 50
-Blue (67 subjects) - Numbered to 75
- Jumbo Dual (10 cards/20 subjects) - Top players from the same franchise are presented on 10 book cards distinguished with 2 relic pieces and numbered to 25.
- Quads (5 Cards/20 subjects) - Four players with four relics on these numbered to 25 book cards.
*Jumbo and Quads Parallel (15 Cards/20 subjects) - Jumbo Dual and Quad cards are paralleled in Red Numbered 1/1 versions.

WHAT WE PULLED



Base (18/100) - 18%



Blue Refractors /219 (3) - Roy Halladay, Andre Dawson, Mark Teixeira
Black Refractors /99 (2) - Bruce Sutter, Hanley Ramirez
Gold Refractors /50 (1) - Ty Cobb



Whitey Ford Relic /99
Mickey Mantle Relic Black /50
Mickey Mantle Relic Triple Blue /75
Evan Longoria Relic/Auto /99
Evan Longoria Relic Dual/Auto /99
Tommy Hanson Relic/ Auto Gold /25



FINAL RATINGS

Base - 5/5
Design - 5/5
Fun - 4/5
Value - 4/5
Rebuy - 3/5

Total - 21/25 (84%)

Topps Tribute has resurfaced with a big bang. The base cards are amazing with the foil chrome and a great mix of action and standing poses. Even the backs of each card are covered in a smooth sheen. The 100-card base sets is a blend of current and past stars.

Each pack offers a refractor parallel numbered to 219 or less. There are four levels and a series of printing plates. Each color level stands out so there is no mistake which one you have. The colors encompasses the background and in most cases accentuate the photo of the players.

Each pack also yield either a memorabilia or auto memorabilia card, guaranteed to be numbered to 99 or less. There are 3 types (single, dual and triple) along with four refractor levels, including a patch level (red). Cards without an autograph display the name of the team in its place.

Topps Tribute is the high-end of high-end for the Topps franchise. At $50-$60 a pack, it's very hard for most collectors to shell out the money for it. As is the case with any product, the yield is feast or famine. However, there are only 47 players that have a relic or auto card in Tribute, which allows for better odds. The base cards are spectacular and you get more of them per box than a other high-end products, but would love to have seen the base cards numbered as well. And while the appearance of two Mantle Relics and two Longoria Autos is nice, the collation could be better.

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

[Joncamburn]

I like the look of the cards, but the surface seems to take damage and finger prints VERY easy.

[chiliwilly]

Mantles, Longorias and Hansons...Oh my...great box.

[garnett_21]

Nice break and review...very high priced, but if you can pull Mantle relics, that explains it. Thanks Topps!