Official SCF Review: 2009 Upper Deck Philadelphia

**Enigma** · 09-05-2009, 02:43 AM

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

20 packs per box
8 cards per pack
Current Retail Price: 54.99 - 64.99

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS: (All content is based on an average across the entire print run)

- CELEBRATE THE FAMOUS PHILADELPHIA CARD SETS OF THE 1960'S AND COLLECT RETRO CARDS OF ALL 32 NFL TEAMS!
* CARD DESIGNS PICK UP THE FAMOUS LOOKS FROM THE EARLY YEARS OF FB TRADING CARDS WHEN THE PHILADELPHIA COMPANY WAS PRODUCING SETS
- ONE (1) AUTOGRAPH IN EVERY BOX! (ALL AUTOGRAPHS SIGNED ON THE CARD!)
- TWO (2) MEMORABILIA CARDS PER BOX!
- ONE (1) OVER-SIZED 5X7 1935 NATIONAL CHICLE R311 CARD IN EVERY BOX FEATURING CURRENT NFL ROOKIES AND SUPERSTARS!
* INCLUDING ONE (1) AUTOGRAPHED OVER-SIZED CARD PER CASE!
- FIFTEEN (15) BASE SET SHORT PRINTS, INCLUDING UNIQUE INSERTS SUCH AS: THE STORY OF BARACK OBAMA, THE VIETNAM WAR, THE ELECTION YEARS, AND WOODSTOCK 40TH ANNIVERSARY, PER BOX!
- FOUR (4) 1935 NATIONAL CHICLE CARDS FEATURING THE EXACT SIZE OF THAT HISTORIC SET PER BOX!
- LOOK FOR ORIGINAL 1960S PHILADELPHIA BUYBACK CARDS!

BOX BREAK: (on average)
- One (1) Autograph
- Two (2) Memorabilia Cards
- Fifteen (15) base set short prints
- One (1) 5x7 National Chicle R311
- Four (4) National Chicle Inserts

CASE BREAK: (on average)
- One (1) 5x7 National Chicle R311 Autograph
- One (1) 1935 National Chicle Auto
- 2-3 Original Philadelphia Buybacks

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN

Autograph Cards (1 PER BOX, on average):
- 1935 National Chicle R311 (1 per case)
- 1935 National Chicle
- Philadelphia Signatures

Memorabilia Cards (2 PER BOX, on average):
- Philadelphia Fabrics

Inserts and Parallels:
- 1935 National Chicle R311 Over-sized
- 1935 National Chicle

Regular Set:
- 1964 Philadelphia Base Set - 300 cards
- The Story of Barack Obama
- Woodstock 40th Anniversary
- The Vietnam War
- The Election Years
- NFL Stars in Action

WHAT WE PULLED

Base (140/200) - 70%
Dupes - 0
Rookies (4) - Javon Ringer. Eben Britton, Michael Oher, Donald Brown
Legends (1) - Steve Young
Story Of Barack Obama (3)
The Vietnam War (1) - Lockheed AC-130
The Election Years (1) - Brown/Nixon
Stars In Action (5) - Roddy White, DeMarcus Ware, Andre Johnson, Darren McFadden, Donovan McNabb

National Chicle (4) - William Scraton, TGV Train, Clinton Portis, Rey Maualuga

Philadelphia Fabrics Andre Johnson Jersey
Philadelphia Fabrics Tony Romo Jersey

National Chicle Brian Cushing Auto /96

Final Ratings (out of 5):

Base Set – 4.5
Fun – 3
Overall Design – 4
Value – 4
Rebuy – 4

Total – 19.5/25 (78%)

For a throwback set, Philadelphia has an appealing base scheme. These cards are not only eye-catching, but are great for TTM/IP Auto collectors. Also, getting close to three-fourths of the base set is not too shabby. Perhaps it's a part of what the original set was like, but do we really need Obama cards in a football set? Have to admit I like the Stars In Action cards. Reminds me of yesteryear of collecting cards in the 1980s.

Absolutely love the National Chicle cards. Though I am a big proponent of keeping cards relative to the sport, I'll let this slide as the Chicle cards contained more than players when originally released in 1935. These cards are about four-fifths the size of a regular card and have a smaller checklist than the regular base set. Each box should yield four on average.

There is only one jersey set, Philadelphia Fabrics. The jersey swatches are contained in a letter "P" shape. Definitely prefer that over the cookie-cutter block style of most sets. The highlight of the autographs...on-card auto! Not only that, the cards are hand numbered, which looks great on the Chicle cards.

All in all, Philadelphia is a nice product. The cards have a nice design, which is hard to find from a throwback series. With numerous short print subsets, it makes the set a worthwhile challenge to complete and is simply a TTM/IP person's must have set. There's only one insert, the National Chile cards, but they are stunning. And as a huge bonus, on card autographs can be found. That in itself is almost enough to go back out and get more. Though, I was a bit dismayed in discovering upon opening the box that there was not an Oversized card inserted. Hopefully, this was a an oversight and not spread across the run of the product.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Upper Deck for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. For more information on all their products, you can check them out at www.upperdeck.com.

**trevorp121** · 09-07-2009, 01:46 PM

I reall like the retro design of these cards! Thanks UD!

**Captngeetch** · 09-07-2009, 02:08 PM

Sorry, I'm just not feeling it for this set...the auto is awesome..hard signed and hand numbered, can't ask for better...but I can't help but feel card co.'s are shoving Obama down our throats in too many sets...in Americana for sure, A&G or Sportkings maybe. I just don't see the reason here. Thanx for the review Tony, and UD for providing the product

**mikesilvia** · 09-07-2009, 03:00 PM

I really like the look of this set! I'd prefer it be 100% football, but can live with the insets. I love the on-card autos!

**garnett_21** · 09-07-2009, 03:08 PM

Nice break and review! Something about the oldschool look is very appealing - and you have to love the on-card autos! Very nice! Thanks Upper Deck!

**hagansp** · 09-07-2009, 04:58 PM

looks like a Mayo knockoff, but the auto is really nice! I'd probably give it a shot, not bad for a lower end product.

**spuds1961** · 09-07-2009, 07:12 PM

THANKS UD,thanks for the review Tony,the only thing I liked about this set is the on card auto's just not feeling anything for the rest of it.Take care Steve