The Greatest Generation Insert Cards
The last two Topps Baseball sets caused quite a stir with 1-of-1 cut signatures from U.S. presidents and historical figures, many of which sold for big money on the secondary market. It's tough to imagine that same kind of frenzy can continue indefinitely, but Topps is doing its best to keep the momentum going with a series of inserts dedicated to the players and other public figures who served in World War II.
In Series 1, Distinguished Service insert cards remember 20 men - 10 players and 10 military figures who fought for the U.S.A. Series 2 remembers an additional 10 men, including Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Five players also lend their signatures to Distinguished Service Autographs, found only in Series 1 boxes.
Naturally, cut signatures return in Distinguished Service Cuts with 30 players who fought in the war in Series 1. Series 2 contributes another batch of 58 autographs, with DiMaggio and Williams the biggest names. And yes, they're all 1-of-1's again.
None of those nifty cut sigs found their way into either of my sample boxes, though I did find a total of six three Distinguished Service inserts.
Joe DiMaggio Insert Cards
The hitting exploits of Joe DiMaggio are on full display in Series 2. The Streak celebrates the longest hitting streak in MLB history with a different card for each of the 56 games it lasted in 1941.
Collectors may not know it, but Joltin' Joe had an even longer streak in the minor leagues in 1933. As a member of the San Francisco Seals, DiMaggio cranked out base hits in 61 straight games, a feat commemorated on 61 The Streak Before the Streak cards.
Four cards from each streak emerged from my Series 2 review box.
Relic and Autographed Cards
Several relic inserts can be found in Topps Series 1, though they are tough pulls in anything but HTA jumbo boxes. Aptly named World Champion Relics have game-used material from 15 members of the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals. Another 40 players are featured on 2006 Highlight Relics. But the coolest memorabilia cards are the hobby-only In The Name Relics, which are one-of-one patch cards with a whole letter from a 2006 All-Star jersey.
In addition to the autographed parallels mentioned above, collectors can find 2006 Highlight Autographs, with signatures from 36 different MLB players who made waves in 2006.
Series 2 packs some relics of its own. Highlight Relics gets a 35-card expansion, with Topps spokesmen Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds both on the checklist. Barry Zito and Gary Sheffield are just two of the ten players from the Trading Places insert who appear on memorabilia cards in Trading Places Relics.
Along with 35 more Highlight Autographs cards, Series 2 also boasts Trading Places Autographs. It's a ten-card set just like the relic version, but the players are not identical.
My sample boxes contained no relic or autographed cards.
The Last Word
Topps Baseball has become even more of a must-have product than ever before over the past few years, and most of the time there is something unusual - like the cut signatures or the 2006 Alex Gordon card - driving demand. There are cut sigs again in 2007, but it's also a great set in its own right with attractive cards and plenty to collect.
If anything, the popularity of 2007 Topps Baseball may end up being a hindrance to some, as Series 1 boxes are already selling above normal retail prices. Interested collectors shouldn't despair though. Shop around and find some Series 1 packs or boxes at a price you like, or grab the Series 2 boxes, which aren't likely to get quite as expensive. Both series have enough of their own good cards to be worthy purchases, and they combine to make one release that doesn't disappoint.