SCF Official Review: 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball

**Enigma** · 07-14-2009, 06:43 AM

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

24 packs per box
8 cards per pack
SRP: 73.99 - 84.99

Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball returns in 2009 with all new insert cards including Biggest Hoaxes, Hoodwinks, & Bamboozles, Cut Signature cards highlighting luminaries from centuries past, and popular DNA cards featuring Napoleon and Geronimo!
The Ginter Code also returns, more byzantine and enigmatic than before, challenging collectors to decipher a hidden code for a chance to win a special Ginter Code Winner Set of autographs from every framed autograph subject in 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter.
And as in years past, Allen & Ginter's distinguished card design, modeled after the vintage Allen & Ginter cards from the late 1800's, will continue to delight collectors.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:
- A combination of any of the THREE following cards per Hobby Box:
* Autographed,
* Relic,
* Cut Signature,
* Rip,
* or Printing Plate
- One Hobby Exclusive N43 or Cabinet Card per box!
- One Hobby Exclusive Rip Card per case!

CONTENT BREAKDOWN
BASE CARDS - 350 subjects (6:1)
- Baseball Veterans (230)
- Baseball Rookies (30)
- Historic Figures (25)
- World Champions (20)

WHAT WE PULLED

Base: 130/350 (37.14%)
Dupes: 0
Cabinet Card Box Loader: Japan Wins the World baseball Classic

Mini (10)
Mini A&G Back (6): Burke Kenny, David DeJesus, Brian Giles, Jered Weaver, Joakim Soria, Jordan Schafer
Mini Black (3): Matt Tuiasosopo, Trevor Crowe, Jose Lopez

National Pride (24)
Highlight Sketches (4): Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome
Code (2): Jack Cust, Nelson Cruz

Creatures Of Legends, Myths And Terrors (1): Cerberus
National Heroes (2): Garibaldi, Tiradentes
World's Biggest Hoaxes (2): The Runaway Bride, Anna Anderson

David Wright Jersey
Mark Mulder Jersey

Hanley Ramirez Auto
Edwin Moreno Magenta Printing Plate /1

Final Ratings (out of 5):

Base Set – 4
Fun – 3.5
Overall Design – 4
Value – 4.5
Rebuy – 5

Total – 21/25 (84%)

Topps has brought back what has become one of its flagship baseball sets after only a mere 4 years. Allen & Ginter offers numerous upon numerous sets for all sorts of collectors. The base set is a fun set to put together, especially with the 50 short prints. Others like the mini variations, while others enjoy the multitude of insert sets. While not always baseball relevant, this set was never intended to be.

Collectors will see some new sets in this year's release. On the heels of the State Flags set from last year, consumers are treated to a National Pride set which highlights the country flag of numerous stars in baseball today. There's also a Highlights Sketches set which features colored drawings that depict huge moments over the last few years in baseball. The most interesting set is the World's Greatest Hoaxes mini set. This set features some of the best stunts pulled on others in history.

Back again for the second year is the Break The Code challenge. Last year's winner, Jason Wong, does have a card in this year's set. Instead of a 20 card set, Topps decided to up the odds and turn it into a 300 card mind bender. Good luck to those who take on this task.

Allen & Ginter is one of those rare releases each year that you can open many boxes and still want more. Between all the inserts, mini and hits, there's value in every box. Not to mention, there's always collectors of Ginter sets that these cards are easily traded and sold through various means. Who knew that an old-style approach would be what was needed to tame the modern day cardboard appetite.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Topps for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. If interested in more information on this set or others, be sure to check them out today at www.topps.com.

**TheTGB** · 07-15-2009, 06:47 PM

First off, I love A&G and have picked up a box every year since it has come out. It's great stuff. This year is just the same, awesome set and cards. Not to mention that was a fabulous break!

**gladdyontherise** · 07-15-2009, 06:50 PM

Great Break! I really like the design this year over previous years, but stinks Hanley signed that card terribly (they're sticker autos i believe, if so he completely went off the sticker)

**sportyryan101** · 07-15-2009, 06:50 PM

Ok, break, the 1/1 could have been better. But, you were only supposed to get 3 haits and you got 4, so not bad.

**tutall** · 07-15-2009, 07:23 PM

nice hit on the hanley... Thanks Topps

**Captngeetch** · 07-15-2009, 08:17 PM

Great Stuff...I've always like the old time look and variety on the inserts that goes beyond the norm..thanx to Topps for the Box too !

**~~sports collector~~** · 07-15-2009, 08:29 PM

You mentioned we could win these or buy them with cc in the video

I'm mainly talking about the Hanley, when will the contest take place or how is that specific card going to given away?

Thanks and nice break!