Modern Monday - Allen & Ginter shiny bubble

This could be a 'twin' card. It's a "hotbox parallel" card courtesy of Gawain.

Card Number 992: Topps Allen & Ginter [hotbox parallel], 2021; #53

The flatbed scan is remarkably dull.

The overhead scan is a bit brighter. The 'bubble' has an odd pearlescent finish that just doesn't scan very nicely.

I missed this detail when I blogged about the regular base version of this card, but this card is #53 in the set - which is a meaningful number because it was the number Tony wore in Spring Training in 1982 and thus became the number on his shirt in the photo on his Topps rookie card in 1983. 

I would like to think that is a deliberate numbering choice by Topps that would only be spotted by number-obsessed weirdo bloggers, like a little in-joke between us. But it could equally just be a random coincidence. 

The card numbering is the only interesting thing on the back of the as-dull-as-usual cardback. 

Total: 992 cards

Great Ginter cards

I have been critical of the Allen & Ginter range from Topps previously on this blog. Like the other retro ranges that Topps produce, the cards can feel a bit tired. However, one of their inserts is up there as one of my favourite card designs ever - the Star Signs insert from 2019. Topps had a good year in 2019, insert-wise because here's another nice insert from the same year.

Card Number 635: Topps Allen & Ginter 'Ginter's Greats' insert, 2019; #GG13

Greatest ever to hold a bat and ball, says the tagline. No arguments with that.

There were 50 cards in this set of all-time greats. There's a lot to like in this picture, from the background with the heraldic crossed bats and baseball, through to the choice of image - Tony with his arms folded, concentrating on something. 

It has a great write up on the cardback too, recounting Tony's success against Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. Does anyone want to suggest what word is replaced in the quote by [blanking]?

Topps were definitely playing a strong game with the cards featuring Tony in 2019. The base card is pretty nice too. But I really like this parallel version.

Card Number 636: Topps Allen & Ginter Gold Hot Box parallel, 2019; #77

I can't find a statistic for the frequency of 'hot boxes' but from looking at rip videos, all the base cards in a hot box had this gold foil filigree border. 

The border really enhances this product and I can imagine ripping a box and finding these cards as the ordinary 'base' cards would be pretty special.

The back is the same as the regular base card, with its pretentious writing out of the numbers using words. I can forgive the pretentiousness this time because the front is so nice.

I am slowly starting to appreciate Allen & Ginter a bit more. 2019 is fast becoming my favourite set because of this nice parallel and the high quality insert cards.

Total: 636 cards