I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Gypsy Queen. Even though the set is mostly focused on cards that I don’t usually collect, they have always been some of the best looking of the stable of retro sets. With GQ slated to hit shelves today, I am already liking a lot of the cards that have started to show up from early box breakers.

Here are some of the hits posted already:

2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Mike Trout Mini Auto

2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Masahiro Tanaka Variation Action Shot

2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Adam Jones Green Auto /10

2014 Topps Gypsy Queen David Wright Jersey Auto

2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Jose Canseco Black Variation Auto

Gypsy Queen is also the first opportunity for collectors to get their hands on a card of Masahiro Tanaka in uniform, which has already brought a lot of people to open the packs that wouldn’t normally open them. Although the autographs of the new Yankee pitcher may not be making it into packs anytime soon, there are quite a few people who will be chasing the rare base cards.

Aside from Tanaka, another top rookie this year will also be making his debut in the set. White Sox Cuban phenom Jose Abreu has a base card, and is likely to have other content as the set gets opened. He is already slated to have an autograph in Bowman, but these look pretty damn cool.

My biggest complaint is that the autograph checklist continues to be relatively weak, as it usually is for a set that is focused more on the base set than the hit portions of the box. Being someone that has always gravitated towards the content outside of the normal base cards, this is a problem, and usually prevents me from breaking down and opening a box or two.

On the other hand, when you do end up pulling something crazy nice, it is about as nice as it gets. The cards have a retro feel to them that I have always loved, and though the majority of the content in the product hasn’t changed all that much, its something we can appreciate for the design. The inserts and other mini cards are fun and a blast to collect for the set collectors, and its no secret that the variations are a draw as well.

After seeing cards like the “Around the Horn” booklet autos, its clear that Topps is looking to build some new elements to the product that haven’t been done before. Although the autographs are stickers, it’s a cool concept to have an oversized card come out of a folded booklet. You cant deny they are thinking outside the box.

Gypsy Queen may end up being among the forgotten at year’s end, but its one of those under the radar products that is a fun rip. I would check out some of the singles even if you aren’t a big collector of sets of this sort.