Anyone changing their collecting plans when Topps is gone?

[egri]

I haven't picked up a modern Topps product in years; I think the most recent thing was about 4-5 years ago I picked up a couple of 1980s wax packs for the fun of ripping them. The last time I bought something brand new from them would've been 11-12 years ago. I don't plan to change my collecting habits; the shiny stuff just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not a big fan of the Heritage products either; I'd rather collect the originals.

[toppcat]

It's a good bet Topps will end up licensing their name to Fanatics, its valuable in that sense for sports cards. They are owned by a private fund anyway right now. The connection to the old Topps and the Shorin's has been gone since Eisner and his other investors bought the company in 2007 anyway.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by toppcat

It's a good bet Topps will end up licensing their name to Fanatics, its valuable in that sense for sports cards. They are owned by a private fund anyway right now. The connection to the old Topps and the Shorin's has been gone since Eisner and his other investors bought the company in 2007 anyway.

I too think Topps will live on via licensing to or acquisition by Fanatics.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by egri

I haven't picked up a modern Topps product in years; I think the most recent thing was about 4-5 years ago I picked up a couple of 1980s wax packs for the fun of ripping them. The last time I bought something brand new from them would've been 11-12 years ago. I don't plan to change my collecting habits; the shiny stuff just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not a big fan of the Heritage products either; I'd rather collect the originals.

I could not agree more. It won't effect me. Last "new" Topps I actually went out and bought was 1992/93 Stadium Club, and I traded all of them not long after for a Derek Jeter RC, which I still have, raw and ungraded. I have some junk wax given to me by one of my nephews, but they are packed away in a box somewhere in the closet. I have a binder of my favorite cards, and no complete sets other than 53 Bowman in it's own binder, newest cards in it are 1977 Topps, and a clear plastic box of various Topps duplicates. I traded away a bunch of my various dupes (I do still have one each of what I traded away) when building the 53 Bowman set, primarily 1960 and 61 Topps, and some 1957s and 58s.

[deweyinthehall]

Right now, I have Topps base master sets from 1969-1996 (used to have more in both directions, but needed some cash a few years back and sold some off). I am planning on going back (1968, etc.) and forth (1997, etc.) in coming years. The thought of Topps leaving the hobby, even if it stays alive in name if not in spirit, is depressing, but it does give me impetus to "fill in" the missing years. When they stopped doing football a number of years back I was still collecting that sport - I had Topps sets from 1970-2013, and though OK I'm going to fill out the run - then I lost interest in the NFL for a number of reasons, and sold all my Football, so that went by the boards. Won't lose interest in baseball, though. If the Topps name survives, I MIGHT be interested, but if the name goes away, I'm done with anything past 2025 for sure.

Question for those more plugged into the hobby than I am - I know Topps stopped doing Football, Basketball and Hockey over the last 15 years or so. Other than baseball cards, what do they print these days??

[53toppscollector]

Topps has soccer rights for the big European leagues. And I think F1 too

[toppcat]

Star Wars, tons of non-sports, etc too.

[jgannon]

I won't be changing how I collect, because I collect vintage. But who knows - maybe Fanatics will do a good job. I mean, other card companies have come in and put out stuff comparable to Topps. Fanatics may not have any experience making cards, but I would have to imagine that they are serious about learning the business given they have the concessions to the big three.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by jgannon

I won't be changing how I collect, because I collect vintage. But who knows - maybe Fanatics will do a good job. I mean, other card companies have come in and put out stuff comparable to Topps. Fanatics may not have any experience making cards, but I would have to imagine that they are serious about learning the business given they have the concessions to the big three.

The players are looking for a bigger cut. I would think they would be looking for innovative individuals who can deliver on that expectation.

Does anyone know how long the Fanstics contract runs?

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