2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Retired Rings

I love these cards. While I choose not to include them as my favorite, since they are just sooo special, they deserve the respect their design deserves.

I actually like this fake relic, a manufactured facade of some fantasy ring that just doesn't exist. It's okay. I live in a fantasy world allot (I happen to play allot of Magic the Gathering). The ring has a weight to it, an import denoted by density. The ring is placed nicely in the right 2/3 of the card. Well positioned, and its ratio to the over all card is correct to my eyes.

The photo on the left is, for every card, a nice capture of the featured player. I especially like the Reggie in his lemon yellow uniform.

I am attempting to collect all of these, and have one or two doubles. If you happen to need one, look at my list and let me know. If you happen to have one of the few I still need . . . help a brother out!

2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Gold Futures

This is my favorite so far reviewed, and 2nd favorite overall. Just a super clean card. The black border lends the card a classy feel next to the gold detailing. I wish the logos weren't so large, and in some strange flag form. But its my only real knock on the insert series.

The featured players are a great mix. The guy above is going to have a huge year after he gets rid of this shoulder thing that is having him split time between DH and 1B.

Many of the young players are going to be exciting to watch this year. Starlin Castro is one of my favorites in this series as well. .I plan on catching many Wrigley games this year. You'll most often find me 1st base side.

I got a whole set extra. Just let me know what you need to complete your set.

2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Golden Greats

While this certainly isn't my favorite design of the series, the subject matter of some of the cards saves it for me. Speaking strictly to the design, once again the weird brown-orangey border looks horrible. The large seal in the lower right reminds me of something from the federal reserve. Now, I realize this is the "gold" themed set, I just don't know why Topps chose to evoke this notion with stodgy design.

The plus is the sweet photos of Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, Albert Pujols, and so many more. I will never have baseball cards by most of these people, and it is cool to get great looking photos of them in my collection. The "technicolor" effect on a few of them is over-done, but over-all it was fun to look at.

Grade: B-


I have a few extra for trade, and need a few to finish my set. Check out my Haves/Wants list to see if we can help each other.

2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Classic Walk-off's

I am going to spare few words for these horrible looking cards. The best part is the blurred out section in the bottom right showing the team celebrations. When my favorite thing about a card is the most blurred out, tough to make out section, this is not good. Ugly card with a boring theme.

Boring:

Grade: D-

2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Golden Moments

Topps takes a down swing here with this insert design. I think the use of the picture on the right still works, but the design elements on the left look weak. The golden home-plate is kind of lame with the team logo in the center. It looks low class.

The overall orange tone of the front fails to work with many of the cards (although GM-1 here is kind of sharp with Seaver in the Met's colors). The over faded base of the cards is strange, and unnecessary.

Overall Grade: C

2012 Topps Series 1 Insert Review: Gold Standard

I am going to attempt to collect a master set of 2012 Topps flagship product. I am not sure what that really means, but to me for this project I will not seek out all parallels. Just base cards and all inserts. As I now have a Haves and Wants list up on the side, as you are able, check it out and help me complete the set. (As I bought a case, I will have a lot of doubles to help you complete yours as well).

To keep things interesting around here, as I complete the various insert sets I will review them briefly.

First up are the Gold Standard inserts.

While not all that visually stunning on their own, I thought enmasse they formed a handsome page:

It looks "federal" to me. I know others have bemoaned all of the unused design space on the left of the card, but I think it lends a degree of "staid"-ness and appropriate level of dignity to these accomplishments. 

I like the photo on the side. Does anyone know if those are actual photo's of the moment described on the card?

The gold standard makes it feel a bit like a treasury bond or currency plate.  I think this fits with the theme as well.

Overall I say B+. I smart, handsome looking insert set, and I hope to see an Ozzie make an appearance in the later Topps series (he isn't in the set at all yet :( ).