Last year, Five Star was the best product of the year and it wasnt even close. Design, hard signed content, theme, everything. It was all top notch. The only issue was checklist size, and that was more of a testament to the time Topps had to get the set done, than anything. This year, Topps has had the whole year, and from the few previews we got this morning, it looks like this year is going to be a BANNER year for this set.
Five star was born out of Exquisite, and Topps’ design team has shown that they are definitely on the same level. It looks like a super high end set. When you have the cards in front of you, it is VERY easy to see how they would be the most expensive of the year. They are exactly what Topps advertises. National Treasures, in its very design last year, might as well have been a 400 dollar box of Gridiron Gear, as that is what it looked like. Five Star, with 100% on card signatures, is in a completely different zip code.
Last year’s rookie auto patches were stunning, and I thought were some of the coolest cards of the year. For 2011, they accomplished something I didnt think would be very easy, they made them better. People will complain about swatch size, but the size of included event used jersey doesnt make a single bit of difference when the cards look like this. Its as good as Exquisite’s design ever was.
We also see that the checklist is definitely going to improve with Montana, Rice and Marino, something I know was a sticking point for people last year. Personally, I would much rather have a small checklist, than find a Danny White autograph in my box. This should be huge, as there has been ZERO hard signed veteran signatures that will be offered other than this set, unless Panini decides to change NT’s format.
I also got confirmation that the Five Star Quotables, possibly my favorite cards ever, will be back for a second year. I cannot wait to see these cards, as they were absolutely incredible last year. This year should be better, and that was coming off what they accomplished with 2010’s unprecedented success.
Five Star raises the bar, just like it did last year, and I think Topps should be extremely proud of themselves. Its truly a sight to be seen.
Here are the photos so far, I am working on getting the sell sheet as we speak.
wOW ! This is Done RIGHT!!!
Wow… just wow… One of these days I’ll have to spring for one of these super high end products. This looks great.
5 star was born completely out of Exquisite and Ultimate!
I don’t think anyone us denying that.
I love it and so will my customers!
Lookin’ good. Better than last year, no question. Still, I’m not sold on the foil on the Marino. I thought the foil ruined the look of some cards last year, but I’m hoping it’s not so obvious this season. I like subtle uses of foil.
Yep and thankfully for the NFL collectors out there Topps ran with it after UD lost its NFL license.
I am so glad that I’ll have a real job by the time this comes out so I can gamble on a box or case.
Fantastic cards.
Also, I’ll try to find it, but I think Topps tweeted a picture of Dustin Keller signing a triple auto with a couple other tight ends. Exciting for me, a Dustin Keller super collector, not so exciting for most other people.
Very nice. Def look forward toward gettin my pc players cards from this product. I wish they would hav jumbo patches like nt tho
I can’t care about the size of the patch when the product sucks. When the cards look this good there is no need to jam a giant patch in there.
Agree with you totally! Can’t wait for em to release! Thanks again for your help with my quotables set!
As a 49ers fan and PC collector, man that Montana/Rice on card dual auto is sweet!