2011 Topps Allen & Ginter has been on the market for almost a week, and already, some HUGE sales have gone down that are quite surprising. Because the product is filled more with content targeted at set collectors, seeing that the hit chasers also have reason to buy is intriguing.
Even more intriguing is some of the prices paid for parts of a set that rarely have any big value potential, such as non-sport “relic” cards and unsigned printing plates. Back in the first days of the release, this Manny Pacquiao 1/1 Wood Mini card sold for only a reasonable amount. Much less than I, for one, expected it to at least. Now, when you see how much the “1/1 of 4” unsigned printing plate sold for
, it becomes absolutely crazy how much of a steal the first card actually was.
Similarly, cards like these low numbered “Terrorabilia” cards and the case hit State Relic oversized box toppers
are also selling quite well, especially when most of them have little value in the relics themselves other than novelty. This has always been where Ginter has succeeded in full, and it looks like 2011 is no exception.
The true chase cards of the product are some to behold, without a doubt, and some of these cards look to be absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous meaning that the content of the cards are unbelievable, as well as the price they sell for.
Check out some of what I mean:
Albert Pujols 1/1 Box Topper Auto Number Cabinet Card
Roy Halladay 1/1 Box Topper Jersey Logo
Ryan Braun/Matt Holiday 1/1 Knob/Logo Booklet
Halladay/Lee 1/1 Letter Patch Booklet
I absolutely love the oversized swatch space of the box topper 1/1s, as many of them offer something that could never be contained in a normal 2×3 card or booklet. As for the booklet themselves, I think it is definitely a good idea to offer cards like this, even though the design leaves A LOT to be desired. Its rare that bat knobs and items like that are included in these products, and it definitely adds a better chase element than is customary. Although I would never buy the cards because of the design, I do understand why they are a huge hit with player collectors.
Overall, Ginter is that one product that always draws attention, even from non-baseball collectors like me. I think it bears mention just how much has gone into this product, and that isnt even touching the set collecting reason it is really do
ne each year.
That dude who “under” sold the wood mini card is learning yoga, not for meditation, but to kick himself in the head!
I absolutely HATE allen and ginter. I know a vast majority of the hobby loves this shit, but I just can’t stand it and here’s why: 1.Topps makes a shitload of money off it. I mean go watch box breaks, 99/100 times breakers get screwed. If you want to have a product geared towards set builders fine, but you can’t charge around 100 bucks a box. 2.They put their most amazing hits in a product that is called “low to mid end”(I don’t consider 100 bucks low end) That Pujols card is one of the coolest cards I have ever seen, but why isn’t that is Triple Threads or Sterling? 3.Those cool hits are like a billion to one odds. A @ G is the most overproduced, overrated product in the hobby.
If I could revamp it, I would take the crappy three jersey cards per box out, put the cool hits in Sterling and Triple threads, and keep the goofy autos/relics in and drop the price point to around 60 bucks.
Topps has another winner with 2011 Allen & Ginter. My customers are buying two to four boxes at a time. Customers say this is the best Allen and Ginter ever.