From The Joe Collector Archives - 2005 Topps Update All Star Relics

Ah yes, the days before the blog.  I had more direction then I suppose but in a lot of ways our collecting directions come and go.  I went through a stage where I wanted to bust cases of 1990's-early 2000's Topps.  That went terribly.  I realized that I could open a case, get one auto and two jerseys.  Yes everyone, that's how rare jersey cards used to be.  More on that in a future post.  I realized how rare some relic cards could be and that is why I went in this direction.  Plus the all star game is highly recognizable.

In 2005 Topps Update and Highlights, Topps inserted all star relics.  The blue  border cards below were approximately 2 per box, at least that is how many I got out of the one box I opened.  I have no idea whether I have a whole set of these which brings me to another point.  Topps needs to give these numbers and not just AS-DL.  That doesn't help ya jack holes.


Below are the Midsummer covers /150. Game used balls. I have no idea what the insert ratios are, but they seem to be rare.  Quick story, and if you are reading that is what you are looking for. There was a huge lot of these on ebay at one time and I bid and bid.  The lot got up to $80 and damnit I was in the car on my iphone trying to get it and lost.  Damn.  There are a few auctions I have lost that still bug me, this is one of them.

These are the Touch em all game used bases /1000.  That is right, /1000.  If you haven't deduced it by now, Topps made a ton of this stuff.

Legendary Sacks /300.  Very cool.


Now for the main event, All Star Patches.  These really are patches as they are all single color and seem to be cut from the patch part of the jersey.  But very silly indeed.  Here is the rub on these.  They are numbered anywhere between /20, yes 20 and /70.  Again, no idea how close I am to a set.  Really Topps?  Can't just number these 1 of 50, 2 of 50 and so on.  I believe there are 60+ of these.  Also, these sell for a substantial amount, at least they did when I bought them.






Stay tuned for a continuing series of posts.