2010 Topps Marquee MLB
Per Box Items:
4 mini-boxes per master box
5 cards (one pack) per mini box
1 autograph or relic card per min-box
Topps Sell Sheet
The base set cards are a little thicker than standard sized cards. The fronts feature full-color action shots. The border-less cards have the set and player name centered on the bottom. The card backs are photo-less. The backs do have a border or frame graphic on them. The backs feature basic biographical information, moderate career highlights, and career statistics. Both the front and back are highly glossy.
What I Pulled:
19 unique cards, no duplicates
12 base set cards, 12/10 = 12% of the base set
4 serially numbered parallel cards
1 autograph
2 memorabilia cards
1 redemption card
Base Card Front and Back:
The Parallels:
Phillips and Upton #/199
Sandberg and Mize #/299
The Hits:
Ogando Auto #/570
Heath Bell quad relic #/199
O'neill Titanic Threads #/75
Buddy Bell dual relic auto redemption
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The first thing I noticed was the sharp, and I mean awesome shot selection and quality. Some of the photographs have a high-definition look to them. It was also nice to see new photographs of players, not just recycled shots that Topps has been guilty of re-using over and over. The auto is on card. The quad swatch is super thick and the Titanic Swatch is sweet. The 'star-power' of the subjects for the hits is a little less than I have seen from some other boxes, however the biggest drawback of the set is the redemption. I have said it before and I will say it again, Topps, no one in the collecting world likes redemption cards. Even for a 'mid-range price point' product, no one wants to wait for months to get all of the cards they should have gotten in the box.
The Bottom Line:
Guaranteed hits, cool card designs, parallels to chase and outstanding quality and photography are all pros. Base set collectors will need to pick up singles elsewhere.
The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: 1/5
Big-hit Hunter: 4/5
Prospector Hunter: NA
Overall Design: 5/5
Fun: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Re-buy: 5/5
Overall Quality: 5/5
Overall: 29/35 (83% = B)
Topps sent me this box to review for Baseball Digest. I am also offering base and parallel cards to members of The Bench for a SASE.
Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!
Tal
