UPDATE: FIRST LUCK LOGO HAS BEEN PULLED:
2012 Topps Five Star Andrew Luck / Trent Richardson Dual NFL Logo Auto 1/1 Book
When 2011 Five Star was released, there was a lot of talk about whether or not the high end tag should have really been applied. Books didnt have patches in them, chipping on the cards, and checklist was lackluster. Although I LOVED the product for the amazing singles it did produce, I know it fell short in a lot of areas.
This year’s product looks to have not only improved on these situations, but made a mockery of what came before it. Not only are there many more jumbo patch auto cards, but the checklist is a lot better, and the books are incredible.
2012 Topps Five Star Andrew Luck Auto Book Quad Patch
2012 Topps Five Star Jerry Rice Auto Patch
2012 Topps Five Star John Elway Auto Book Logo Patch 1/1 – This might be the best Elway card ever produced.
2012 Topps Five Star Victor Cruz Inscription Auto /10
2012 Topps Five Star Brett Favre Auto SP
Five Star will continue to be a beacon of hope for all the autograph collectors out there, and goes to show what can really be accomplished with superior design, and a dedication to giving collectors what they want. I was able to bust two boxes at Sports Cards Plus here in San Antonio, and I was MORE than impressed. Not only did both of the books I pulled have multi colored patches, but the cards themselves were absolutely stunning. The inscription card I pulled was easily one of my favorites, even though the player wasnt top tier.
I have to say that this might be my favorite product of the year – which is saying a lot considering how much I loved Chrome. With National Treasures clearing 575 a box and sometimes 600, this is beyond a more suitable bust for collectors who still want the rush. I have a feeling we have only scratched the surface, and I will have no doubt that Topps is feeling as proud of their efforts as I am with the results.
Did you buy the boxes or did Topps send them to you?
This years release looks way better than the previous. There were a lot of single colored swatches in previous releases. I’m sure there are still lots of those this years but it appears there are more patches.
If those patches and swatches for rookies are from the premiere then that is unacceptable.
Shame on companies for using those in a high end product at the end of the year.
I liked your blog back before you had the kid and were more honest and not scared to piss Topps off. I love the Panini honesty you have for their products but it seems you let Topps get a free pass on a lot of products.
I guess it’s hard to get free stuff if you piss off the companys you review.
I bought the boxes at Sports Cards Plus. Charlie is a great guy with a tremendous shop. He comments on here frequently.
Hi Lou,
If you noticed my posts in the past, I generally only comment when I disagree with Adam. And, we all know Adam does not need anyone to defend him. However, since Adam did not respond to your erroneous comments, I decided to let you know what I know. There are several reasons why Adam is not as critical of Topps as he is of the of other companies:
1. He has always generally preferred Topps product designs to that of the other companies.
2. He has often been given the opportunity to comment on future Topps products and Topps has often implemented his suggestions (Whether Adam’s comments resulted in the design improvement or Topps design team came to the same conclusion on their own, the improvement was made.).
3. He is smart enough to know, once you have the ear of Topps, you don’t bite off their ear. In the case that he is unhappy with Topps product designs he lets them know and he lets his readers know.
Andd just to another one, panini is COMPLETE junk, while Topps is good product and can’t blame them for not being perfect… there’s a lot of reasons these companies can’t be perfect, but paninis reasons seem to be incompetence
( Let me just correct myself a lil bit, if people love paninis junk, then we can’t really blame panini …… )