Relive 1973 with 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball, a throwback base set in both player highlights and design.
A substantial 500 cards, the Heritage collection really delivers for set builders with just the right amount of challenge and cards to chase. The last 100 are the short prints, landing at 1:3 packs, which is both tricky but doable. Each hobby box promises either an autograph or memorabilia card, too.
Retro-style underscores the simplistic and clean design of the 1973 Topps Baseball, and are evident across the lineup.
Hobby exclusives include standard parallels using Black Border (50 copies each), Action Image Variations, and Flip Stock (just 5 copies each).
Flip Stock has to be one of the most unique parallels to find, requiring a keen eye and feel as you sift through your set. Unlike regular base cards which as standard have a smooth glossy front and a rougher back, Flip Stock parallels literally flip this around, with a smooth finish back and a rougher feel at the front of the card. These are rare and a boon to find for those who pay attention.
Other short print themes include Nickname Variations and the increasingly rare Throwback Uniform Variations, as well as certain cards sporting Mini versions, serial numbered to 100 copies only.
One hundred Chrome cards can be found throughout, each with their own Refractor (/573), Silver (/373), Black (/73), Gold (/5) and Superfractor (1/1) parallels.
Moving onto Autographs, Memorabilia and Relics - fans will be pleased to find that the signatures aren’t changing. Real One Autos are signed on-card and don’t stray from the design of the base set, and delightedly feature a checklist mix of rookies, players and veterans from 1973. Cut signatures can be found too, all one-of-a-kind.
Clubhouse Collection Relics are the fundamentals of the Memorabilia on offer, with swatches from game-used uniforms and bats on the cards. Collectors can find both single-player versions (Gold /99 and Patch 1/1 parallels) as well as multi-player cards with Clubhouse Collection Dual Relics (/73), Triple Relics (/25) and Quad Relics (/10) each with a Patch parallel 1/1.
Still after the 1973 players and stars? Chase the Flashback Autographs Relics featuring hard signatures and memorabilia pieces from game gear. TCG fans with a penchant for coin collecting will get a kick from the 1973 Mint set, with change inside each themed card including Nickels /15, Dimes /10, Quarters /5, and Half Dollars 1/1. A similar setup will be found with the US Postage Stamp theme as well.
The are four regular inserts to be had, ranging from Baseball Flashbacks featuring 1973 baseball highlights, Then and Now comparing present players to past, News Flashbacks spotlighting the range of iconic headlines from 1973 (Vietnam War or Political Scandal, anyone?), and finally New Age Performers for the 25 modern stars today.
Box Loaders
Finally, every 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball hobby box has a box loader bonus, available in three varieties.
- 1973 Topps Originals / buyback cards with a special foil stamp.
- 1973 Topps Posters / checklist of past and present stars
- 1973 Topps Baseball / oversized base cards blown up to a larger format
*a print run of just 1,000 copies make these the toughest box loader themes outside of the autograph parallels*
Below the listed rundown of the cards and hobby boxes, with an expected release of 2 March 2022.
First Look
Cards per pack: Hobby – 9
Packs per box: Hobby – 24
Boxes per case: Hobby – 12
Set size: 500 cards
2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Hobby Box
- Autographs or Memorabilia Cards – 1
- Box Loaders – 1
- Base Short Prints – 8
