11 November 2016

Black November, Act III - 2016 Topps Archives Signature Series

The second and final lottery ticket item in my order from the Blowout Cards Black November sale was a box of 2016 Topps Archives Signature Series. I bought a few singles from the 2015 iteration of this product, but I hadn't sampled the 2016 product at all, and I have never tried an unopened box of it.


Each box has one encased buyback card enclosed, with an on-card signature. I think the 2016 version added some relic cards and stuff, but I haven't researched that at all. The breaks of this stuff I've seen online have been all over the place, so I wasn't sure what to expect with it. The most likely scenario, especially given how these breaks have gone so far, was that I would pull a $5-$15 card and feel terrible about buying this box.


Well, that's not an awful pull. It's an on-card autograph of Cal Ripken Jr., numbered # 1 / 1. It's a nice-looking card, too, being a buyback of Ripken's Baseball Highlight Sketches insert from 2012 Topps Allen & Ginter. The problem with this card is that it reinforces bad behavior. I can probably recoup most of the cost of this order from the sale of this card, which might encourage me to make similar orders in the future. I still haven't decided on what to do with it, though. I remember when he broke the consecutive games record. I think I even clipped a page from the newspaper when it happened, but Cal Ripken Jr. was really my cousin's favorite player, not mine. I could probably get something I like even more in exchange for this card.

Either way, this one card saved the whole break for me. It's a really neat card, but the possibilities it opens up for my collection might be more exciting than the card itself. For now I think I will just bask in the glory of pulling a rare and valuable card, made even better because it saved a break that was going down fast.

13 comments:

  1. Wow, congrats on the pull! Forgive me for saying, but I don't think that's a great likeness of Cal.. I thought it was Warren Spahn for a second!

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    1. Sketches of real people are always a bit iffy. I recognized Cal pretty quickly, but I am also not overly familiar with Warren Spahn's face. I doubt I could pick him out of a crowd.

      Delete
  2. "The problem with this card is that it reinforces bad behavior."
    Isn't that the true problem with this hobby? You buy a high-end box and there's three outcomes:
    1. It reinforces bad behavior, like the Ripken card
    2. As you mentioned earlier, you get a $5 card and regret the purchase
    and the ultra-rare third option
    3. It's a card that fits in your collection you're super happy with it!

    If I had to put percentages on each scenario happening based on my own personal history, it would be something like 16%, 83%, 1%, respectively.
    LOL!

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    Replies
    1. I rarely pull hits that actually fit into my collection, so I'd say your percentages are right on. I hit something big just often enough to keep me coming back.

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  3. I've got a thing about autographs and sketches. I need the card to be a photograph of the player for the signature to mean anything. The likeness here doesn't help either.

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    1. I thought it was a pretty good likeness, but these comments have got me thinking I need my eyes checked. The eye chart has been getting a little blurry at my last couple of physicals, but they say I don't need glasses yet.

      Delete
  4. Wow! That's a fantastic pull. Congrats. Keep it for a while. Bask in the glory of it. When the time comes to move it for something you more desire, the time will be right to part ways.

    Happy Veteran's Day. As always, thank you for your service to and for our country.

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    1. I am basking in the glory of it for now, but that's mostly because I've been too distracted to get it listed.

      I appreciate your gratitude, although I don't individually feel all that deserving. This job has been good to me and my family. I hope I've been able to give something back.

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  5. Awesome pull. I'd sell. Judging by what some of the others are getting you'd get a pretty good price for it.

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    1. I do hope it sells well. Either way, it is likely to be more than what I paid for the box!

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  6. Congratulations! Great pull. This product takes the whole risk/reward thing to another level. Definitely not for me... although, I really enjoy picking up bulk lots for a fraction of the price.

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    1. I also usually prefer to just chase singles and lots for this type of product. I think last year I was able to get the exact three cards I wanted from this set for less than the price of one box.

      I just picked this one up to try it, because it was discounted and I was getting a deal on the NASCAR blasters.

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  7. Oh man that it awesome! Congrats on the Ripken.

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