From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2017 Topps Gallery baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: Initially only at Walmart
Packs per box: 8 (seven standard & Artist Proof pack)
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 33
Base set completion:
24 of 150 (16 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Notables on base cards – Justin Verlander, Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Bautista
Rookie Cards (10) – Alex Bregman, Carson Fulmer, Jesse Winker, Alex Reyes, Hunter Renfroe, Trey Mancini, Magneuris Sierra, Ian Happ, Lewis Brinson, Orlando Arcia
Insert/short-print cards: 9 (all inserts in gallery below with some base)
Short-prints (Nos. 151-200) (1) – Ken Griffey Jr.
Artist Proof (4) – Matt Kemp, Freddie Freeman, Steven Matz, Carson Fulmer
Masterpiece (1) – Josh Donaldson
Hall of Fame Gallery (2) – Ernie Banks, Ted Williams
Featured Artist card (1) – Dan Bergren
Autographs: None
What’s Buzz-worthy: This blaster box was very average if not worse until it yielded a short-print of Ken Griffey Jr. — short-prints are not found in every blaster — while its four-card Artist Proof pack (exclusive to blasters) was also average at best. The SPs are one in every 20 packs (every three blasters) and this one has sold for as much as $16, though it’s softened. … The base cards are all illustrations by Mayumi Seto and, for the most part, this is a set that is among the best art-driven releases I’ve seen. Since these are done by hand and not simply a Photoshop job, a few of them have likenesses that aren’t as sharp as others (seen to a degree more with the rookies) but that’s probably due to the action photos that they were modeled after in some cases. As noted here earlier previously the autograph list here is huge but I’d argue that, while those biggest names will be rare and are solid finds, the biggest draw here are original paintings and sketches. All artwork on the cards seen here is by either Seto (base set) or paintings by Dan Bergen (inserts). … A collector’s box is the way to go with this brand, but the blasters can have autos (one in 10 boxes) and sketches at long odds. Collecting the full set will prove to be a big challenge with the 50 SPs and that alone makes this one with a very key player a stronger box. All in all, this feels like a successful return for a brand we haven’t seen in more than a decade for baseball cards.
Product Grade: A
Box Grade: B+
Fun Grade: A
Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
>> Click here to buy MLB cards on BlowoutCards.com
BlowoutBuzz.com 