Who's Next in the Graig Kreindler Topps Subset

[clydepepper]

In response to me asking Graig himself, he replied:

In answer to your question, I can indeed divulge who's next, though I don't have the entire list, and it's not really in any order yet. Next is Tom Seaver, followed by Jackie Robinson, and then Babe Ruth. I believe after that, in some kind of order, we've got Campanella, Cal Ripken, Spahn, Mays, Mike Trout, and Ken Griffey. I think there are still a few spots that they're considering, and I wouldn't be surprised if they want me to stay on the modern side. I DO know that I won't be doing Mantle or DiMaggio, and maybe Mathewson, all due to rights issues.

With that in mind, it's Topps who covers all of those rights issues, in that they have licenses with MLB, MLBPA and whatever player estates that they've negotiated with. It's my understanding that they weren't able to make it happen with Mantle and DiMaggio for some reason (I'm guessing money). But yeah, that stuff is all under their own umbrella, and thankfully I don't have to worry about it while providing them with artwork. Had that not been the case, I would have never agreed to working with them on such a project.

Anywho, thanks so much for keeping up with the set! It's a thrill to see it all come to fruition, even if I wish the quality and product was a little bit better. But yeah, I have no control over that.

Look for the Seaver card available on 7/23 (cards released every two weeks)

-Robbie

[whitehse]

I am loving the set so far. I do think Topps could have stepped up the quality a bit by making them look like the art-like cards I think Fleer did a number of years ago but nevertheless, I love Graig's work and can't wait to do something cool with it eventually.

What I think is interesting is that Topps announces the print run after the sale period closes. Here is the print runs from Topps' web site

Cobb 1549
Gehrig 1579
Snider 992
Clemente 1541
Killebrew 1012
Feller 1023

[tjb1952tjb]

And Ted Williams. Print run 1432

[whitehse]

The set is now complete at 20 cards. This really is a very cool set and when you consider that Graig was painting these players at the same time he was doing the 200+ portraits for the Negro League Hall of Fame at the same time, I have no doubt he is in need of some down time.

Great job Graig....

Below are the print runs for these cards.

Babe Ruth - 1619
Lou Gehrig - 1579
Ty Cobb - 1549
Roberto Clemente - 1541
Ted Williams - 1432
Mike Trout - 1400
Jackie Robinson - 1333
Ken Griffey Jr. - 1190
Roy Campenella - 1181
Tom Seaver - 1179
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1161
Willie Mays - 1159
Lou Brock - 1073
Tony Gwynn - 1036
Bob Feller - 1023
Harmon Killebrew - 1012
Duke Snider - 992
Eddie Mathews - 934
Mel Ott - 933
Larry Doby - 876

[whitehse]

And two more

[tjb1952tjb]

I have them all. Very nice examples of Graig's fine work. Does anyone know if he is going to have any additional, new cards in the near future?

[Leon]

Late to the party, but those are great looking cards. Kudos to Graig.



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[Aquarian Sports Cards]

significance of the various print run sizes?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by whitehse

The set is now complete at 20 cards. This really is a very cool set and when you consider that Graig was painting these players at the same time he was doing the 200+ portraits for the Negro League Hall of Fame at the same time, I have no doubt he is in need of some down time.

Great job Graig....

Below are the print runs for these cards.

Babe Ruth - 1619
Lou Gehrig - 1579
Ty Cobb - 1549
Roberto Clemente - 1541
Ted Williams - 1432
Mike Trout - 1400
Jackie Robinson - 1333
Ken Griffey Jr. - 1190
Roy Campenella - 1181
Tom Seaver - 1179
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1161
Willie Mays - 1159
Lou Brock - 1073
Tony Gwynn - 1036
Bob Feller - 1023
Harmon Killebrew - 1012
Duke Snider - 992
Eddie Mathews - 934
Mel Ott - 933
Larry Doby - 876

Do you mean the Negro League Baseball Museum?

Those are great cards, I need to get a Williams and Mathews, wish he would have done a Boggs.

[thecatspajamas]

Any news of further collaborations with Topps forthcoming? I've really enjoyed seeing Graig's work in print, even if keeping up with the release schedule has be taxing for my poor memory. I'd love to see more, especially if offered in a larger format like the Negro League postcards.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Do you mean the Negro League Baseball Museum?

Those are great cards, I need to get a Williams and Mathews, wish he would have done a Boggs.

Yep..my bad. The Negro League Baseball Museum.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

significance of the various print run sizes?

Topps printed to order and supposedly printed no others although I suspect they printed slightly more than what was ordered by collectors.