SCF Official Review: 2011 Topps Marquee

[Enigma]

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



4 packs per box
5 cards per pack
Current Retail Price (online): $149.99 - $169.99

Product Description

Every Pack Contains
- 1 Numbered Autograph Card
OR
- 1 Numbered Jumbo or Multi-Relic Card

Each Box Contains 4 Premium Hits
- On-Card Autograph Card
- Autograph Multi-Relic Card
- Jumbo Relic Card
- Quad Relic Card


CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS

ON-CARD MONUMENTAL MARKINGS AUTOGRAPH CARDS - 1 per Box

On-Card Autographs - 75 rookies and veterans personally sign striking red foil cards, numbered.
- Available in a Gold Foil Parallel version numbered to 5

On-Card Dual Autographs - 2 players team up and sign directly on each elegant silver foil card. Numbered to 15.


ACCLAIMED IMPRESSIONS AUTOGRAPH MULTI-RELIC CARDS - 1 per Box

Single-Player Dual Relic Autographs - These 75 players appear on silver foil cards, showcased with a signature and 2 relic swatches. Numbered.
- Available in a ONE OF ONE Patch version and a Gold Foil version numbered to 5.

Single-Player Triple Relic Autograph - 35 subjects displayed with 3 relics and an autograph, and numbered.
- Available in a ONE OF ONE Patch version and a Gold Foil version numbered to 5.


JUMBO RELIC CARDS - 1 per Box

Ty Cobb Jersey Stitching - A truly one of a kid card featuring the stitched name tag from the Georgia Peach's game-worn jersey. Numbered to ONE OF ONE!

Titanic Jumbo Relics - Oversized and unique game-used memorabilia pieces highlight 130 ball players on show-stopping silver foil cards, numbered to 99
- Available in a Gold Foil version numbered to 10

Titanic Jumbo Patch Relics - Fifty players with a multi-color patch on silver foil cards numbered to 5.

Titanic Jumbo Relic Autographs - Over 100 stars appear with their signature and a giant swatch on numbered to 10 cards. 1 per 12-box Hobby Case! (replaces autograph relic in pack)


GAMETIME MEMENTOS QUAD RELIC CARDS - 1 per Box

Single Player Quad Relic Autographs - Twenty five Major Leaguers with their autograph and 4 relic pieces on cards numbered to 10.

Quad Patch Relics - 35 players are saluted with 4 vari-colored patches on each card numbered to 5.

Single Player Quad Relics - Each card from over 55 diamond stand-outs features 4 pieces of game-used gear and is numbered to 199.
- Available in a Gold Foil version numbered to 25

Legends Quad Relics - 8 all-time greats, including DiMaggio, Ruth, Cobb, and Gehrig on cards showcasing each player with 4 relics and numbered to 25.
- Available in a Gold Foil version numbered to 5


BASE CARDS - 3 per pack
Potpourri of 100 top veterans, key rookies and legendary heroes on 48pt full bleed stock highlighted with action photography.


PARALLEL BASE CARDS - 1 per pack
The base set paralleled:
- Platinum: ONE OF ONE
- Gold numbered to 99
- Copper numbered to 199
- Blue numbered to 299


MUSEUM COLLECTION - 1 per 12-box Hobby Case! (replaces autograph in pack)
Each of these remarkably stunning metal framed cards is embellished with an on-card autograph, and is numbered to 10.

WHAT WE PULLED



Base - 12/100 (12%)
Blue /299 (2) - Justin Verlander, Carlos Santana
Bronze /199 (2) - Thurman Munson, Matt Holliday



Acclaimed Impressions Ervin Santana Dual Jersey/Autograph /150



Gametime Mementos Matt Kemp Quad Relic /199



Museum Collection Gordon Beckham Autograph *Redemption*



Titanic Threads Mark Teixeira Jumbo Jersey /99



FINAL RATINGS

Base - 4/5
Design - 4/5
Fun - 3.5/5
Value - 2.5/5
Rebuy - 2.5/5

Overall - 16.5/25 (66%)

Pros:
Solid card design
Full-color body photos
One numbered parallel per pack
One Auto or Relic per pack

Cons:
Price Point
High risk versus value output
High end product with sticker autographs

Topps decided what the collecting world needed was another high-priced baseball product. Unfortunately, it's like a lot of high-end, full of promise and short on delivery. Marquee has a nice look with the base and parallels. But the allure of a high-end product is simply the "hits". While you can never complain about nailing a case hit, the fact that there are stickers autos is sad. Additionally, when you have to question exactly where the relic on a card (i.e. the Matt Kemp lower left white swatch) came from as the back gives you no indication, that is not a lot of fun either. Thrill seekers will enjoy Topps Marquee, but they will be the only ones.

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.