2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball Checklist and Details
2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball probably isn’t for you. It might be, but it’s doubtful. The product has a print run of just 65 total box set cases. That’s it. It’s not intended for the masses. The configuration reflects the limited nature and to call it high-end would be an understatement.
Done in conjunction with the company’s 65 years in the business of baseball cards, each set comes with 52 total autographs, three of which are one-of-ones. And we’re not talking scrubs, either.
2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball goes beyond cards. It also comes with an invitation to a special anniversary event that will have a yet-to-be-announced guest.
Transcendent Collection Autographs
The bulk of the signed content is found in the Transcendent Collection Autographs. All cards are signed on-card and come with a metal frame. Base gold versions are numbered to 52 while parallels come in Blue (/25), Purple (/10), Black (1/1) and Red (1/1).
Every player on the checklist is represented in each case at least once. While it’s a full subject set, parallels come into play so it’s not a full run of any given color. As for the signers, it’s pretty much all high-end. Not everyone is considered a pricey autograph but they do represent the biggest names in the hobby for baseball and a few high-profile signatures from outside the sport.
For current players, there’s Ichiro, Kris Bryant (more on him in a bit), Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Albert Pujols, Carlos Correa and a few more. Retired legends include Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Ken Griffey Jr, Nolan Ryan and plenty more Hall of Famers. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and soccer icon, Pelé, are also on the checklist. Again, each case includes at least one autograph from every signer. Some signers will be represented more than once but never two of the same color.
Ken Griffey Jr., Corey Seager and Boyega are being issued as redemptions in 2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball. However, Topps has said that these are additional hits on top of the promised autographs.
Kris Bryant Topps History Autographs
Kris Bryant is a focal point for another portion of 2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball. He’s given the time machine treatment and been put on one card using each of the 65 different flagship Topps Baseball designs from 1952 through 2016. Each Kris Bryant Topps History Autograph card is one-of-a-kind.
Cut Signature Box Toppers
Every case also has a one-of-one Cut Signature Box Topper. While there are plenty of baseball legends on the checklist, much of it comes from other sports and realms like entertainment, politics and historical figures.
Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Connie Mack, Christy Mathewson, Lou Gehrig, Roberto Clemente, Satchel Paige and Cy Young are among the baseball greats. There’s also Japanese Home Run King Sadaharu Oh. George Washington, Neil Armstrong, Judy Garland and even Tupac Shakur are some of the pop culture cuts.
Sketch Cards
Sixty-five classic cards from the Topps Baseball portfolio have been recreated as sketch cards by artist Mayumi Seto. In addition to one original sketch in each case, there’s a full reproduction set of all 65 cards. They’re numbered to 65 and packaged in their own acrylic box.
While they may be called sketch cards, it’s really closer to fine art. Seto’s style takes a photo realism approach and each image is done in full color.
Base Set
Yes, 2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball has a base set. Dubbed “Icons,” all have a silver frame and are serial numbered to 65. Like the Sketch Reproductions, these also come in an acrylic box.
Topps 65th Anniversary Party Invitation
In addition to all the cards, 2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball has an event component to it. An invitation is included in each box to the Topps 65th Anniversary party. The event is being held in Las Vegas in January, 2017. Kris Bryant will be in attendance.
The package includes both the party and hotel accommodation.
The suggested retail price for a 2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball box? $25,000.
2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball at a glance:
Cards per box set case: 168 cards
Set size: 50 cards
Release date: December, 2016
What to expect in a hobby box:
• 1/1 Kris Bryant Topps History Autographs – 1
• Additional 1/1 Autograph – 1
• Over-Sized 1/1 Cut Signature Autograph – 1
• Sketch Card – 1
• Transcendent Collection Autographs (/52 or less) – 49
• 65-Card Set of Sketch Card Reproductions (/65)
• 50-Card Base Set (/65)
• Special Event Invitation
2016 Topps Transcendent Baseball Checklist
Jump directly to:
• Base Set
• Autographs
• Inserts
• Cut Signature Box Toppers
MLB Icons Base Set
50 cards. Full set per box.
1 Babe Ruth, New York Yankees /65
2 Kenta Maeda, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
3 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants /65
4 Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
5 Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers /65
6 Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles /65
7 Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves /65
8 Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals /65
9 Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates /65
10 Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
11 Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles /65
12 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs /65
13 Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants /65
14 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
15 Mike Piazza, New York Mets /65
16 Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners /65
17 Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels /65
18 Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants /65
19 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox /65
20 Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox /65
21 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners /65
22 Satchel Paige, Cleveland Indians /65
23 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds /65
24 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals /65
25 Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves /65
26 Don Mattingly, New York Yankees /65
27 Ichiro, Miami Marlins /65
28 Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees /65
29 Nolan Ryan, New York Mets /65
30 Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals /65
31 Eddie Mathews, Milwaukee Braves /65
32 Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees /65
33 David Price, Boston Red Sox /65
34 Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners /65
35 Harmon Killebrew, Minnesota Twins /65
36 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics /65
37 Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs /65
38 Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox /65
39 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels® /65
40 Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves /65
41 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros /65
42 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
43 John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves /65
44 Barry Larkin, Cincinnati Reds /65
45 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates /65
46 Roger Maris, New York Yankees /65
47 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox /65
48 Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs /65
49 Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles /65
50 Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
Autographs
Transcendent Autographs
42 cards. /52.
Griffey, Seager and Boyega issued as redemptions and are considered extra on top of other promised autographs.
Parallels:
• Blue – /25
• Purple – /10
• Black – 1/1
• Red – 1/1
TCA-AP Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
TCA-AR Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
TCA-BB Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants
TCA-BH Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
TCA-BP Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
TCA-CC Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
TCA-CJ Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
TCA-CK Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
TCA-CR Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles
TCA-CS Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers – Bonus Redemption
TCA-CY Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox
TCA-DJ Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
TCA-DM Don Mattingly, New York Yankees
TCA-DO David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
TCA-DR Daisy Ridley, Star Wars
TCA-FR Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles
TCA-FT Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
TCA-GM Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
TCA-HA Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves
TCA-I Ichiro, Miami Marlins
TCA-JB Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds
TCA-JBA Jon Boyega, Star Wars – Bonus Redemption
TCA-KB Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
TCA-KGJ Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners – Bonus Redemption
TCA-KM Kenta Maeda, Los Angeles Dodgers
TCA-KS Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
TCA-MM Mark McGwire, St. Louis Cardinals
TCA-MP Mike Piazza, New York Mets
TCA-MT Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
TCA-MTA Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
TCA-NR Nolan Ryan, New York Mets
TCA-OS Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals
TCA-OV Omar Vizquel, Cleveland Indians
TCA-PM Pelé, No Team
TCA-PM Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox
TCA-RC Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox
TCA-RH Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics
TCA-RJ Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners
TCA-RJA Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees
TCA-RS Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs
TCA-SK Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers
TCA-VS Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers
Anniversary Sketch Cards
65 cards. 1 per box.
TSC-1 Willie Mays, New York Giants 1/1
TSC-2 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers 1/1
TSC-3 Eddie Mathews, Boston Braves 1/1
TSC-4 Phil Rizzuto, New York Yankees 1/1
TSC-5 Monte Irvin, New York Giants 1/1
TSC-6 Satchel Paige, St. Louis Browns 1/1
TSC-7 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers 1/1
TSC-8 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves 1/1
TSC-9 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-10 Willie Mays, New York Giants 1/1
TSC-11 Al Kaline, Detroit Tigers 1/1
TSC-12 Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers 1/1
TSC-13 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates 1/1
TSC-14 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-15 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers 1/1
TSC-16 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves 1/1
TSC-17 Frank Robinson, Cincinnati Reds 1/1
TSC-18 Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers 1/1
TSC-19 Roger Maris, Cleveland Indians 1/1
TSC-20 Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giants 1/1
TSC-21 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates 1/1
TSC-22 Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-23 Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants 1/1
TSC-24 Roger Maris, New York Yankees 1/1
TSC-25 Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles 1/1
TSC-26 Steve Carlton, St. Louis Cardinals 1/1
TSC-27 Rod Carew, Minnesota Twins 1/1
TSC-28 Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics 1/1
TSC-29 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds 1/1
TSC-30 Nolan Ryan, New York Mets 1/1
TSC-31 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates 1/1
TSC-32 Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds 1/1
TSC-33 Dave Winfield, San Diego Padres 1/1
TSC-34 George Brett, Kansas City Royals 1/1
TSC-35 Dennis Eckersley, Cleveland Indians 1/1
TSC-36 Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees 1/1
TSC-37 Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers 1/1
TSC-38 Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles 1/1
TSC-39 Ozzie Smith, San Diego Padres 1/1
TSC-40 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics 1/1
TSC-41 Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles 1/1
TSC-42 Wade Boggs, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-43 Don Mattingly, New York Yankees 1/1
TSC-44 Darryl Strawberry, New York Mets 1/1
TSC-45 Mark McGwire, United States Baseball Team 1/1
TSC-46 Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-47 Dwight Gooden, New York Mets 1/1
TSC-48 Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs 1/1
TSC-49 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners 1/1
TSC-50 Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners 1/1
TSC-51 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox 1/1
TSC-52 Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves 1/1
TSC-53 Mike Piazza, Los Angeles Dodgers 1/1
TSC-54 Nomar Garciaparra, Boston Red Sox 1/1
TSC-55 Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners 1/1
TSC-56 Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins 1/1
TSC-57 Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals 1/1
TSC-58 Ichiro, Seattle Mariners 1/1
TSC-59 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers 1/1
TSC-60 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants 1/1
TSC-61 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels 1/1
TSC-62 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals 1/1
TSC-63 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs 1/1
TSC-64 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros 1/1
TSC-65 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays 1/1
Anniversary Reproductions
65 cards. Full set per box.
TSCR-1 Willie Mays, New York Giants /65
TSCR-2 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
TSCR-3 Eddie Mathews, Boston Braves /65
TSCR-4 Phil Rizzuto, New York Yankees /65
TSCR-5 Monte Irvin, New York Giants /65
TSCR-6 Satchel Paige, St. Louis Browns /65
TSCR-7 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
TSCR-8 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves /65
TSCR-9 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-10 Willie Mays, New York Giants /65
TSCR-11 Al Kaline, Detroit Tigers /65
TSCR-12 Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
TSCR-13 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates /65
TSCR-14 Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-15 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
TSCR-16 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves /65
TSCR-17 Frank Robinson, Cincinnati Reds /65
TSCR-18 Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn Dodgers /65
TSCR-19 Roger Maris, Cleveland Indians /65
TSCR-20 Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giants /65
TSCR-21 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates /65
TSCR-22 Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-23 Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants /65
TSCR-24 Roger Maris, New York Yankees /65
TSCR-25 Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles /65
TSCR-26 Steve Carlton, St. Louis Cardinals /65
TSCR-27 Rod Carew, Minnesota Twins /65
TSCR-28 Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics /65
TSCR-29 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds /65
TSCR-30 Nolan Ryan, New York Mets /65
TSCR-31 Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates /65
TSCR-32 Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds /65
TSCR-33 Dave Winfield, San Diego Padres /65
TSCR-34 George Brett, Kansas City Royals /65
TSCR-35 Dennis Eckersley, Cleveland Indians /65
TSCR-36 Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees /65
TSCR-37 Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers /65
TSCR-38 Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles /65
TSCR-39 Ozzie Smith, San Diego Padres /65
TSCR-40 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics /65
TSCR-41 Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles /65
TSCR-42 Wade Boggs, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-43 Don Mattingly, New York Yankees /65
TSCR-44 Darryl Strawberry, New York Mets /65
TSCR-45 Mark McGwire, United States Baseball Team /65
TSCR-46 Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-47 Dwight Gooden, New York Mets /65
TSCR-48 Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs /65
TSCR-49 Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners /65
TSCR-50 Randy Johnson, Montréal Expos /65
TSCR-51 Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox /65
TSCR-52 Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves /65
TSCR-53 Mike Piazza, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
TSCR-54 Nomar Garciaparra, Boston Red Sox /65
TSCR-55 Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners /65
TSCR-56 Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins /65
TSCR-57 Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals /65
TSCR-58 Ichiro, Seattle Mariners /65
TSCR-59 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers /65
TSCR-60 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants /65
TSCR-61 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels /65
TSCR-62 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals /65
TSCR-63 Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs /65
TSCR-64 Carlos Correa, Houston Astros /65
TSCR-65 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays /65
Oversized Cut Signature Box Toppers
65 cards. 1 per box.
TCS-AH Audrey Hepburn 1/1
TCS-BC Bill Clinton 1/1
TCS-BD Bette Davis 1/1
TCS-BH Ben Hogan 1/1
TCS-BO Barack Obama 1/1
TCS-BR Babe Ruth 1/1
TCS-CC Calvin Coolidge 1/1
TCS-CM Connue Mack 1/1
TCS-CMA Christy Mathewson 1/1
TCS-CR Christopher Reeve 1/1
TCS-CY Cy Young 1/1
TCS-DD Dizzy Dean 1/1
TCS-DE Dwight Eisenhower 1/1
TCS-EH Ernie Harwell 1/1
TCS-ER Eleanor Roosevelt 1/1
TCS-FR Franklin Roosevelt 1/1
TCS-GC Grover Cleveland 1/1
TCS-GF Gerald Ford 1/1
TCS-GH Gordie Howe 1/1
TCS-GHB George H. Bush 1/1
TCS-GHO Gil Hodges 1/1
TCS-GS George Steinbrenner 1/1
TCS-GW George Washington 1/1
TCS-GWB George W. Bush 1/1
TCS-HC Hillary Clinton 1/1
TCS-HCO Howard Cosell 1/1
TCS-HG Hank Greenberg 1/1
TCS-HH Herbert Hoover 1/1
TCS-HT Harry Truman 1/1
TCS-HW Honus Wagner 1/1
TCS-IB Ingmar Bergman 1/1
TCS-JD Joe DiMaggio 1/1
TCS-JF Jimmie Foxx 1/1
TCS-JFR Joe Frazier 1/1
TCS-JG Jerry Garcia 1/1
TCS-JGA Judy Garland 1/1
TCS-JO Jesse Owens 1/1
TCS-JOC Johnny Cash 1/1
TCS-JR Jackie Robinson 1/1
TCS-JU Johnny Unitas 1/1
TCS-KML Kenesaw Mountain Landis 1/1
TCS-LG Lou Gehrig 1/1
TCS-MO Mell Ott 1/1
TCS-NA Neil Armstrong 1/1
TCS-NF Nellie Fox 1/1
TCS-PM Pete Maravich 1/1
TCS-PR Phil Rizzuto 1/1
TCS-PWR Pee Wee Reese 1/1
TCS-RA Red Auerbach 1/1
TCS-RC Roy Campanella 1/1
TCS-RCL Roberto Clemente 1/1
TCS-RM Rocky Marciano 1/1
TCS-RMA Roger Maris 1/1
TCS-RN Richard Nixon 1/1
TCS-RW Robin Williams 1/1
TCS-SM Stan Musial 1/1
TCS-SO Sadaharu Oh 1/1
TCS-SP Satchell Paige 1/1
TCS-TS Tupca Shakur 1/1
TCS-TSP Tris Speaker 1/1
TCS-VL Vince Lombardi 1/1
TCS-WHT Howard Taft 1/1
TCS-WS Warren Spahn 1/1
TCS-WW Woodrow Wilson 1/1
Jimmy Carter 1/1
Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks.
Wow! This would be an amazing keepsake for my four grandsons! Something I know they would treasure forever!
No.
LOL. I was joking with my card buddies earlier in the year that there was going to be a Panini Transcendant product. I guess Topps beat them to the punch.
Mortgage interest rates are still low so maybe time for that 2nd mortgage to buy a box…hmmm.
Wow! This would be an amazing keepsake that I could send my kid to college instead of buying…
Great looking set but too expensive for most!!!!
Wish I was this person’s grandson!^^^^^^^^
Hey look, if you have that much disposable income, then go for it. I was able to attend the National in AC over the summer and had a great time for a day for about 1% of the cost of this product.
That said, why is it the last few years when I bought a $100ish hobby jumbo box of Topps Baseball (any series), the auto I got in it was:
#1-a sticker
#2-someone 5-6 tiers below a star player
#3-not numbered at all.
I think it’s great if you can afford this product (me-I need to find a reliable used car or two and pay college tuition bills first), but when you read about how high-end and special this product is (and should be for the price tag) and then look at what this 40-year collector gets on average in a new box of baseball cards, I think this is why so many people have gotten out of the hobby in the past ten years or so. I fought against that feeling for years but I am closer to leaving the hobby that at the moment than I ever have been in my collecting life.
$27,000 for 52 autographs, so you would need
to average over $500 per to break even.
But hey, I was wrong about the obscene prices they paid for that “mint” product. It should be interesting to see what people pay. I mean I imagine that someone might pay a pretty sum just for the invite.
I’d like to have the “base” set, but even that will be priced too high for my tastes.
If Kris Bryant ends up MVP of the world series look for the set to sell out to Chicago fans.
thank you
How can you tell what color a card falls under?
Here it will be the color of the background and the serial number.
Do you have a way to track confirmed pulls from the 1/1 series? Kris Bryant, Auto series, and the 1/1 cut and Sketches?
And the continuation of the downfall of the hobby continues. Wish I just know why the manufacturers think they’re helping the hobby. Ten years ago the box prices where getting too high for the common collector let alone kids. Now they are getting too expensive for everyone other than the top collectors. Like many here I’m slowly getting out of busting boxes and just buying a couple of singles of classic stuff that has real value and doesn’t need a gold piece or ruby in it.
I agree. This is a ridiculous product. I am a returning collector after about 15 years of absence. I began collecting as my Cubs began the rebuild, prospecting along with Theo, it was fun, but what now? There’s too much dazzle, the heritage collection is about the only series I enjoy. The Bryant throwback cards do make me drool though. I wonder how much to buy into a break for these cards?
Break price vary depending on the style of how it’s done. Most I’ve seen are around $175.
feels like a lot of hate — i don’t understand it.
can people just buy what they like?
so many people buy such worthless $200 boxes, that a $20,000 box with some value is suddenly insanity?
i wish this product wasn’t about about one zero out of my price range — the cards look great.
Where on the cards is the imprint of /10/, /25
Live cards have them on the front. A couple of the non-autograph images here may be mock-ups.