The vets and rookies got their set. Now it’s the past’s turn. 2019 Topps Archives Signature Series: Retired Player Edition brings back the buyback line for another batch of autographs.
The concept remains the same. Each box has just one card and it’s a buyback — an original Topps card from the past — that has been signed.
Autographs come on-card. Each is also numbered and given a foil stamp signifying it’s from this particular release.
Typically, those signing for the set sign lots of different cards. Not only does this make for make cards to potentially chase, most individual cards are actually quite rare in the numbering sense. That said, due to the nature of the product, complete checklists are not available.
The buybacks come from a variety of sets and years. They can be base cards or inserts. The occasional memorabilia card can also make its way into the mix.
2019 Topps Archives Signature Series: Retired Player Edition at a glance:
Cards per pack: 1
Packs per box: 1
Boxes per case: 20
Release date: October 2, 2019
Shop for 2019 Topps Archives Signature Series hobby boxes on eBay.
What to expect in a hobby box:
- Autograph Buybacks – 1
2019 Topps Archives Signature Series: Retired Player Edition Checklist
Due to the nature of the set, a full checklist of exact buyback cards and print runs is not known. However, Topps did release a list of the 93 players featured in the set.
Hank Aaron
Bobby Abreu
Sandy Alomar Jr.
Brad Ausmus
Harold Baines
Johnny Bench
Bert Blyleven
Wade Boggs
AJ Burnett
Mike Cameron
Jose Canseco
Steve Carlton
Chris Chambliss
Eric Chavez
Will Clark
Roger Clemens
Bobby Cox
Coco Crisp
Andre Dawson
Dennis Eckerlsey
Carlton Fisk
Eric Gagne
Nomar Garciaparra
Phil Garner
Bob Gibson
Tom Glavine
Juan Gonzalez
Mark Grace
Vladimir Guerrero
Mike Hargrove
Todd Helton
Rickey Henderson
Trevor Hoffman
Rick Honeycutt
Frank Howard
Torii Hunter
Bo Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Derek Jeter
Charles Johnson
Randy Johnson
Andruw Jones
Chipper Jones
David Justice
Jimmy Key
Sandy Koufax
Ed Kranepool
Cliff Lee
Derrek Lee
Mike Lieberthal
Greg Maddux
Juan Marichal
Pedro Martinez
Gary Matthews
Don Mattingly
Sam McDowell
Mark McGwire
Dale Murphy
Charles Nagy
Bill North
Tony Oliva
David Ortiz
Rafeal Palmeiro
Troy Percival
Tony Perez
Andy Pettitte
Mike Piazza
Jorge Posada
Tim Raines
Bobby Richardson
Cal Ripken Jr.
Mickey Rivers
Alex Rodriguez
Nolan Ryan
Ryne Sandberg
Deion Sanders
Steve Sax
Lee Smith
Ozzie Smith
John Smoltz
Terry Steinbach
Dave Stieb
Ichiro Suzuki
Jim Thome
Mike Timlin
Alan Trammell
Bobby Valentine
Omar Vizquel
Tim Wallach
Wille Wilson
Carl Yastrzemski
Robin Yount
Todd Zeile
I wonder how much this brand typically costs? Depending on the cost, there is a real chance of getting a dud if you get the wrong box. Definitely a “lottery ticket” kind of set.