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MansGame
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1997 Topps Gallery - Great set from the '90s which is a 180-card set released exclusively to the hobby in late Summer of 1997. The set is divided into four themes: Veterans, Prospects, Rising Stars and Young Stars each with their own unique design. Each card is printed on 24-point card stock with a high-gloss film and foil-stamped. Really nice quality IMO.
Hard to believe but there were 24 packs to a box, eight cards per pack (hobby only) and the MSRP was $4! Whoa...
Anyways, this release had few insert (five to be exact) and one of them was a very iconic (IMO) set which was the Peter Max Signature Series Serigraphs. There were only 10 players and each was hand numbered to 40 by Peter Max and the odds to hitting one of these guys was 1:1,200 packs!
The ten players in the set were:
1. Derek Jeter
2. Albert Belle
3. Ken Caminiti
4. Chipper Jones
5. Ken Griffey, Jr.
6. Frank Thomas
7. Cal Ripken, Jr.
8. Mark McGwire
9. Barry Bonds
10. Mike Piazza
As for the set, who is Peter Max, etc. - Topps commissioned famed pop artist Peter Max (Here is his website: www.petermax.com) to create this ten-card set. The cardbacks feature a commentary on the subject by Max. In addition, a limited number of cards were autographed by Mr. Max. Topps announced that only 40 copies of each card were signed by Max. Max signed the cards before the glossy coating was slathered on the card, making counterfeit signatures extremely difficult. Keep reading...
Real quick, keep in mind that the Peter Max Serigraphs insert set (essentially the base insert set of these) were 1:24 packs or 1 per box and are the base insert, extremely similar to this set.
So this is where things get really interesting. It's an iconic set (IMO as I said) but the base inserts are identical to these other than the Peter Max autograph and hand numbering serial number /40. There isn't even any language on the card which tells you what you have versus the base insert. The only real difference or piece to pay attention too is the "glossy coating was slathered on the card" which is on top of his signature.
Player collectors can agree this is a very tough set, valued high and rarely seen. I have the Albert Belle and will post it below. It took me FOREVER to acquire my copy and it's not leaving the PC I have thought about just getting it slabbed as Authentic to help keep its condition, etc. Anyways, I believe this set is relatively flooded with fakes or people trying to fake. IMO I have seen a lot of these surface recently with no serial number and all the sellers say is "It's a Topps replacement" and then they just kick the can down the road. Well if that's the case, WTF?! I mean I think it's a great set and a tough '90s set but IMO it's one that gets tapped with fakes from time to time.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on the set? Have their guy? Have the entire set?
Thoughts on fakes? Am I the only one who hates seeing a signed version with no serial number?
Show off your guys if you have it! Here is my Albert Belle:
Hard to believe but there were 24 packs to a box, eight cards per pack (hobby only) and the MSRP was $4! Whoa...
Anyways, this release had few insert (five to be exact) and one of them was a very iconic (IMO) set which was the Peter Max Signature Series Serigraphs. There were only 10 players and each was hand numbered to 40 by Peter Max and the odds to hitting one of these guys was 1:1,200 packs!
The ten players in the set were:
1. Derek Jeter
2. Albert Belle
3. Ken Caminiti
4. Chipper Jones
5. Ken Griffey, Jr.
6. Frank Thomas
7. Cal Ripken, Jr.
8. Mark McGwire
9. Barry Bonds
10. Mike Piazza
As for the set, who is Peter Max, etc. - Topps commissioned famed pop artist Peter Max (Here is his website: www.petermax.com) to create this ten-card set. The cardbacks feature a commentary on the subject by Max. In addition, a limited number of cards were autographed by Mr. Max. Topps announced that only 40 copies of each card were signed by Max. Max signed the cards before the glossy coating was slathered on the card, making counterfeit signatures extremely difficult. Keep reading...
Real quick, keep in mind that the Peter Max Serigraphs insert set (essentially the base insert set of these) were 1:24 packs or 1 per box and are the base insert, extremely similar to this set.
So this is where things get really interesting. It's an iconic set (IMO as I said) but the base inserts are identical to these other than the Peter Max autograph and hand numbering serial number /40. There isn't even any language on the card which tells you what you have versus the base insert. The only real difference or piece to pay attention too is the "glossy coating was slathered on the card" which is on top of his signature.
Player collectors can agree this is a very tough set, valued high and rarely seen. I have the Albert Belle and will post it below. It took me FOREVER to acquire my copy and it's not leaving the PC I have thought about just getting it slabbed as Authentic to help keep its condition, etc. Anyways, I believe this set is relatively flooded with fakes or people trying to fake. IMO I have seen a lot of these surface recently with no serial number and all the sellers say is "It's a Topps replacement" and then they just kick the can down the road. Well if that's the case, WTF?! I mean I think it's a great set and a tough '90s set but IMO it's one that gets tapped with fakes from time to time.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on the set? Have their guy? Have the entire set?
Thoughts on fakes? Am I the only one who hates seeing a signed version with no serial number?
Show off your guys if you have it! Here is my Albert Belle: