Checklist Update: 2019 Topps Throwback Thursday Set #2 ’76 Star Trek

Checklist Update

Set: 2019 Topps Throwback Thursday Set $2-

’76 Star Trek

Total Cards: 1

 

The first card of 2019 is here!  After a long and trying 2018 checklist of Barry, featuring 400+ unique cards, it’s nice to be able to set the reset button on card calendar.  I was tipped off by this set from a fellow Larkin collector, Cody (shout-out good sir!), and I will be honest.  I never knew Topps did a “Thowback Thursday” set.  I also thought it was a mistake when the added Star Trek to the set.

I will start with the Throwback Thursday.  This is a similar set to Topps Now when they do a certain amount of time and how many purchases there are is the print run.  My understanding is they release six cards each week.  In this specific set they have the following.

7. Derek Jeter
8. Carl Yastrzemski
9. Gary Carter
10. Duke Snider
11. Willie Stargell
12. Barry Larkin

At the start of this posting it is still on sale, so we will not know the print run until later.  My guess is it will be pretty high since it has Derek Jeter.

Now the Star Trek side.  I had no idea Topps did Star Trek cards back in the days, let alone the 70’s.  So I had to search eBay, and found that the design is well, very 70ish and does exist!

As you can see, the card is very similar outside of the USS Enterprise.  They replace it with the Captains “C”.   I also love the print of the title of the card. It certainly reminds me of Star Trek the original.

Overall with the six card set being $19.99 plus shipping I think I will be passing, unless I find it for .99 somewhere.

 

Happy Collecting!

 

Checklist Update: 2018 Topps On Demand Dynamic Duals

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Topps On Demand Dynamic Duals

Total Cards: 16

Full Checklist

 

Topps finally put Larkin in their “on demand” checklist.  An exclusive online set that can be only ordered during a week (or before they sell out).  They do everything from Baseball to Star Wars sets throughout the year.  The first year started was in 2017.

Dynamic Duals was a $150 set that was sold out within the first few days.  They limited it only to 700 sets.  Larkin had 16 cards total in two different subsets.  One with my second favorite man crush, Joey Votto, honoring both of their MVP’s.  The second was position based with Orioles Manny Machado.  Each has a non-auto with a non-numbered (700) and variations of /10, /5, and/ 1.

On-Demand also produced a dual autograph for each subset.  The first time ever for such a set.  Each one also has a variation of /10, /5, and /1 with a base.

The overall design is pretty sleek and it reminds me a lot of the Topps Museum Collection sets of the past.  I do like they put the Home Jersey on as opposed to the away.  Always a fan of the old 90’s home jersey.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the “limited time online only offer” sets, outside of the Topps Now.  I feel in most cases they are over priced and are only available to those who can afford them.  I do like the Topps Now as they touch on things happening throughout the season and try to collect all the Reds events.   Do you have thoughts on these types of cards?

This set brings Barry’s 2018 unique cards to over 370, the most since 2005.  Way too many for a super collector like me to worry about.  Unless they are going for a decent price I think I may focus on just his playing days of specific subsets.

Happy Collecting!

UPDATE:  Got both base versions (print run 700) in the mail.  I am somewhat disappointed in the quality of the card stock. Love the overall design, but I feel for a pack of 30 cards and $150 it would be better quality.

Checklist Update: 2018 Allen & Ginter X

2017 Allen & Ginter X

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Allen & Ginter X

Total Cards: 4

Full Checklist

 

 

 

It’s back!  The online only edition of my favorite set has returned for the second year.  A much smaller set than the traditional set with just a base with a black background, and three mini parallels (black, red, and silver.  No inclination of what the numbers of the parallels are going to be but if it’s anything like last year the red will be /5 and the silver will be /1.

There is also a framed mini auto set that Larkin is now in (finally!).

Short but sweet, but a very interesting set and I encourage you all to go after.

Happy Collecting!

 

Checklist Update: 2018 Panini Immaculate

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Panini Immaculate

Total Cards: 27

Full Checklist

 

I can’t believe  I am excited about this set, especially with it being 27 unique cards.  At over $200 per box it is not for those on a tight budget (like me)*.  There are seven mini-series with each having a variation.  The majority of them are autographed (hopefully on card).

I am most excited for the swatches series each with a unique part of Barry’s playing days:

• Swatches /49
• Team Logo /10 (This may become the next Ultimate Want List Addition)
• Laundry Tag /6
• Nameplate /5 (I want all 5)
• Button /3
• Jersey Number /2
• Swatches Patch /1

The Material Signatures looks to be the main part of the set.  This portion has five unique cards with a handful of printing plates.

Overall for it being a non-licence product I am excited for it.  Hoping to get some cards on the relatively cheap side.  This set already puts Larkin over 200 unique cards for 2018, which is the 2nd most since 2005 (2017 had 283).

Happy Collecting!

Checklist Update News:  Larkin is not in Topps Chrome this year.

*I just finished a pick your team break and skunked out on Larkin.

Mail Day: 1 of 1 and Auto Alert!

This was a pretty spectacular mail day. Most likely will not have one like this for a very long time. I apologize for the bad pictures. We are currently remodeling our house and my scanner is in storage.

2018 Topps Stadium Club SCC-164 Refractor Barry Larkin

Even though the Super has been found I decided I’m going to continue to go after this rainbow as much as possible. It reminds me of the designs of the 90’s bringing back some good memories of collecting.

2018 Topps Stadium Club Red Foil  #164 Barry Larkin 

The red foil odd are 1:3 packs.  So fairly common, but will still need it to finish the rainbow.

2018 Topps Definitive Inscription Autograph Collection DCA-BL /35 Barry Larkin

When I first saw this card on eBay I knew I needed to have it in my collection. Having a Reds Player put “Go Blue” on his card is pretty bold.  Especially seeing that he is from Ohio State country. The prices were absolutely insane.  I was able get this one for $20 in a raffle.  Pretty stoked to put this one in the PC

2005 SP Legendary Cuts Lasting Legends Platinum Barry Larkin

All of the Lasting Legends in this post is coming from a fellow Larkin collector who is only going after his playing days now. This is my first official 1/1. I wasn’t planning on going after this rainbow, but now I feel like I need to give it a shot after adding this one.

2005 SP Legendary Cuts Lasting Legends Materials

The biggest surprise to me in this set is the base materials aren’t numbered.

2005 SP Legendary Cuts Lasting Materials Gold 22/75 Barry Larkin

1998 Topps Tek #57 Patterns 50 & 89 Barry Larkin

Another one off the Ultimate Want List taken off. Now have 32 of 90 patterns. Hoping to continue the trend to move on. If you know of anyone who is looking to unload some let me know. I am really hoping to move to at least 50 by the end of the year.

Checklist Update: 2018 Donruss Optic

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Topps Donruss Optic

Total Cards: 23

Full Checklist

Barry Larkin is making his Donruss Optic debut.  This looks like a fun, inexpensive set that would allow me to go rainbow hunting.  Larkin has two separate cards with a ton of variations.

The base set has 17 variants with ten serial number to /299, /199, /149, /99, /50, /25, 10, /7, and /1.   The remaining seven are not numbered with one holo.

Larkin also has an on card auto in the Significant Signatures.  He has a base auto and four serial numbers /15, /10, /5, /1.  Be careful as you are looking at the full checklist.  Larkin does not  have a blue variation of this card.

Overall I  like the design and looks of this set.  It is not something I would consider buying every last card in the first year, but maybe something in the future if the prices are right.

Happy collecting all!

Checklist Update: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter

Total Cards: 15+

Full Checklist

 

 

 

Allen & Ginter was the set that got me back into collecting back in 2013.  Being use to the standard series 1 and series 2 standard sets from the late 90’s,  I thought the designs and variations were the coolest thing since sliced bread!  It was also the first set that I learned the harsh reality of being scammed by an untrustworthy breaker losing out on a Joey Votto box topper.

This year Larkin has 15+ unique cards.  The “+”  means I am unsure of the number of printing plates there are.

One is the base set which has the base card, an over sized card, and a glossy 1/1.  Personally I will be going after the over size variation as I’m a sucker for over sized cards.

The mini’s have several variations.  My personal favorites are the wood and the metal, all which are lowered numbered.  You can find the complete variations in the checklist above.  The larger question will be how many are in the Rip cards.  Did I mention he has his own rip card too?

New this year is the Fantasy Goldmine subset. Overall the set has 50 cards. I haven’t seen the Larkin card yet, but I was able to get a picture of the Cal Ripken Jr.  Based on what I’m seeing is it has something to do with sabermetrics,  I will be curious to see what Barry’s card will be.

 

Another big question will be if we see a special Allen & Ginter Topps edition again? I know last year topps.com did an online exclusive, I would be curious if they decide to bring it back.

Happy collecting all!

Wednesday Mail Day

The first 2018 Stadium Club has arrived.  A semi-annual series I will be going over what additions I have made to the collection.

Three additions have been added this week.

Total Unique Larkin Cards: 1350

2018 Topps Stadium Club Chrome #SSC-164 Barry Larkin

As stated in a previous post Stadium Club Chrome is one of my favorite subsets.  Just the general design (and shininess) is one of the main reasons.

2018 Topps Stadium Club Chrome Gold Minted SSC-164  Barry Larkin

This was actually my first purchase for the year in this set.  The odds of a gold minted is one per case.  I may have overpaid for it as there is one on ebay going for $2 with only two days remaining, but outside of the SuperFractor, this is the rarest one.

2018 Stadium Club Members Only #164 Barry Larkin

This one came in a pair with the chrome.  There is not an “official” print run of this, but rumor has it is it’s out of 10 cards.   I do want to try for the 1st Day Issue, but it is way outside of my price range right now.

What’s remaining:

Base
Black Foil
Sephia Foil
Black/White
Rainbow Foil /25
First Day Issue /10
Photographers Proof
Gold Rainbow Foil /1
Chrome SuperFractor /1

Oops I bought it again!

The new and soon to be famous segment of Oops I bought it again!  Like the title states I bought another card I thought I didn’t have, without checking my checklist and now I have two!  I will be happy to trade it for something I need.

2003 Fleer Tradition Black/White Goudy #BLJM  #827/1936

 

 

 

 

Checklist Update: 2018 Topps Stadium Club

 

2018 Stadium Club Chrome Gold Minted

Checklist Update

Set: 2018 Topps Stadium Club

Total Cards: 19

Full Checklist

 

 

 

A goal of mine is to write more.  I am hoping to do this in a variety of ways.  As many of you know I am a huge Barry Larkin collector.  One of the series I am hoping to create is a checklist update.  The update will be mainly of new releases.  There will be a few surprises with cards that were not originally on my checklist, so stayed tuned!

Topps Stadium Club is one of my favorite series of all time. However, the amount of variations remind me of 1995.

1995 Stadium Club Extreme Corps

Larkin has four different cards, each with a handful of variations.  One is the standard stadium club. I am very excited about the 1st Day Issue (10 or less) and the Members only (1 per case).

Stadium Club Chrome also has made a comeback. I personally have been a fan of chrome since day one.  Larkin has a Chrome Base,  Refractor, Gold Minted, and a SuperFractor (1/1).

On the auto side he has a chrome autograph. I don’t know if SC is doing on card or sticker this year (always a bigger fan of on card.

A nice surprise is a dual autograph, with one of my favorite current players, Joey Votto.  This card specifically will be out of my price range for sure.  I am hoping to wait it out for a year or two to acquire it.

Till next time!