2012 Topps Allen & Ginter

[t206blogcom]

I'm predominately a pre-war, tobacco card collector. On occassion I buy some modern cards, especially PSA 10 rookies of stars and future HOFs. The other day I noticed in Target a box of 2012 Topps Allen & Ginter cards. The obvious throwback retro design of the 19th century cards caught my pre-war tobacco eye, so I decided to buy a couple of boxes. I don't know much about the modern cards or players for that matter. In general, I thought it was a pretty neat concept and I enjoyed sifting through the packs.

My question to you guys is what's the general consensis on these cards? Are the retro throwback cards popular and well collected? Or do most modern collectors gravitate towards the non-retro cards? Entertainment value aside, did I waste my money or are any of these cards of value?

[freakhappy]

I'm predominately a pre-war, tobacco card collector. On occassion I buy some modern cards, especially PSA 10 rookies of stars and future HOFs. The other day I noticed in Target a box of 2012 Topps Allen & Ginter cards. The obvious throwback retro design of the 19th century cards caught my pre-war tobacco eye, so I decided to buy a couple of boxes. I don't know much about the modern cards or players for that matter. In general, I thought it was a pretty neat concept and I enjoyed sifting through the packs.

My question to you guys is what's the general consensis on these cards? Are the retro throwback cards popular and well collected? Or do most modern collectors gravitate towards the non-retro cards? Entertainment value aside, did I waste my money or are any of these cards of value?

Hey Jason,

I'm about a 50% pre-war collector and 50% modern collector. I love to collect some random modern day players (HOFers and stars) that intrigue me one way or another.

As far as your question goes, I don't really bust too many boxes nowadays, but will every once and a while for kicks and to try to get that great hit. I believe card companies use the retro look on modern cards for a few reasons. I don't think modern day collectors gravitate necessarily to one side or the other, but collect what's more appealing to them (amount of hits)...retro or not. Another belief of mine is that bringing this look back it may be appealing to pre-war collectors and possibly pull some of us into grabbing some modern cardboard...and it seemed like it worked in this instance :)

I actually like the new A&G and have bought a few boxes in the past few years...although I haven't pulled anything good, I still enjoyed the design of the cards. I don't believe half of the people buying them really know about A&G's history...nor do they care.

I wouldn't say you wasted your money, but nowadays it's all about the hits and if you didn't get any hits or don't plan on collecting them or enjoy just looking at them, you could've wasted your money...but I say not.

[t206blogcom]

...but nowadays it's all about the hits and if you didn't get any hits ...

What do you mean by 'hits'?

[freakhappy]

What do you mean by 'hits'?

Hits or Pulls....a valuable card(s)

[steve B]

I really like the A+G and the Gypsy Queen. Especially the Gypsy Queen.

Both have the usual for modern stuff assortment of tiered inserts and GQ had pose variations in 2012. Fortunately there's a few good online checlists.

On the less positive side, the collation is not bad for a small sample, but horrible otherwise. It's incredibly expensive to complete a set from retail. I got within 9 cards of 2011 topps series 1 before taking my wantlist to the local card shop. A+G and GQ were even worse and I still havent completed either. (At something like $200+ each figuring a blaster box a week for 10 weeks- I really don't like doing that math, but it's fun. I call it entertainment and it's ok?)
Some of the inserts are really cool though. The GQ had ones with a paper frame added. Both a tough insert and a retial only version in rack packs. Those are really nice looking.

But yeah, if you're looking for value just buy a set from an ebay seller who's broken loads of boxes looking for the really special inserts.

Steve B

[t206blogcom]

Thanks everyone. I got a few boxes from Target and it's been fun entertainment opening the packs. I'll probably only keep a few cards. I'll try to sell off some of the more interesting ones and probably ditch the rest (hate clutter pile up!)

I picked up about 8 packs of the Gypsy Queen cards yesterday and I think I like those more than the AG. Neat stuff, but I'm not going to do any sort of modern set building or major collecting. Fun entertainment now and then.

So if any of you guys are looking for a specific AG or GQ card, let me know.