Topps has announced its latest out-of-the-box brainchild, the Topps Living Set. It’s a limited-run, buy from Topps.com only, specialty set in which they will release three cards per week (Wednesdays). Once a player has been released, that player will never be released again unless he changes teams. It’s not a yearly issue, it will be ongoing. Hence, a “living” set. The set will feature hand painted commissioned paintings from artist Mayumi Seto, in the iconic 1953 Topps style. According to Topps, past players will be “sprinkled in”.
My initial reaction is that this is a really fun idea. I like new and innovative ideas, even if I don’t necessarily always buy-in. I think there’s a lot of potential here. The artwork – on the cards they’ve shown – looks amazing. These could really be good looking centerpiece cards, if printed well. As a Nolan Arenado and Nolan Ryan player collector, these ones will be obligatory purchases.
I’m intrigued to see which players they release, and when, throughout the 2018 season. With Aaron Judge as card #1, we likely won’t see another Judge release for at least 5 years. And imagine the past players, and when we might see them pop up. Even if I don’t buy, I’m sure I’ll check weekly to see when a Red Sox Babe Ruth or the sought after Mariners Ken Griffey Jr. might pop up. With all the readily available nth number of variations for any player, including the past legends, already out there, it’s kind of invigorating to think of a true chase again. Imagine the tension and demand for the sought after Mickey Mantle, that may take years to be released…then all of a sudden, poof, there it is.
Or, it could be another marketing effort to boost immediate sales and drive more manufactured demand, just to hope to sell the company for some sort of profit in the not-too-distant future, and the Living Set May very well die. Who knows. At least for me, at $7.99 per card, I’m sure I’ll be on board for the couple specific players that interest me. But for team and set collectors? Could be too little for too much. Depends on print runs I suppose. As an official “un-fan” of Topps Now, I’m hoping for something special that will keep me wanting more.
See the Topps Living Set Checklist.