Life... Successfully
  • Life Successfully
  • Intent-sive Nature
    • Gift Cards
    • Expert Publicity, Content, & Consultation >
      • Intent to Read Publishing
    • Jewelry
    • Healing Jewelry & Talismans >
      • What is the Meaning Behind Intent-sive Nature Healing Jewelry?
    • Healing Readings
    • Yoga & Meditation
    • Incense & Burners
    • Candles & Accessories
    • Crystals & Gemstones
    • Herbs
    • Essential Oils & Oils For Anointing, Magical Use, And Aromatherapy
    • Dream Catchers
    • Spells & Altar Supplies
    • Rune Sets & Accessories
    • Tarot & Oracle Decks, Books, & Accessories
    • Wands
    • Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care
    • Holiday
    • Books & Media
    • Music
    • Education & Homeschool Resources
    • Clothing
    • Baby Gear, Travel, Outdoors, & More
    • Baby Safety
    • Baby & Toddler Feeding
    • Toys
    • Decor & Home Accents
    • Wind Chimes
  • Writing, Web, Business, & Tech
    • Brand Shamans Brand Healing Journal
    • Write W.A.V.E. Media Thought Leadership & Tech Journal
    • Writing Tips Journal
    • The One-and-Only Internet Money Making Guide!
    • Writer's Resumes >
      • Lyn Lomasi >
        • Ask Lyn
      • Get Your FREE Writer's Profile & Online Resume
    • Be a Writer!
    • FREE Guest Post Submission >
      • Submission Guidelines
  • News
    • News Articles
    • Science and Nature Articles
    • Sports Break Journal >
      • NFL 2019 Squares
  • About Us & Contact
    • Become an Affiliate!
    • Promotional Banners
    • Disclosure, TOU, Dislaimer, & Privacy
  • Domains For Sale
  • Hire Us!
  • Family & Home
    • Mekai's Branches ~ Family Adventure Journal
    • Kymani's Travels ~ Family Travel Journal
    • The Nova Skye Story ~ Family Journal
    • Upstream Parenting Journal >
      • Upstream Parenting Book
      • The Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide EVERY Parent Needs!
      • The ONLY Potty Training Guide You'll Ever Need
      • Elementary Learning Supplies...
      • 10 Safe Toys
      • Soothe Crying Baby
      • Playing Cards With Kids
    • Life & Home Journal
    • Momtrepreneur Moments ~ A Business Mom's Journal
    • Successful Relationships; A Heart-Focused Journal
    • Better Plumbing Blog >
      • Hire Better Plumbing - Your Denver Plumber
  • Education & Literature
    • Heart 'N Mind Homeschool Journal
    • Free Learning Education Journal >
      • Two Affordable And Fun Toys For Teaching Kids To Read
      • Elementary Learning Supplies You Can Find At The Dollar Store
      • Free Counting Fun For Toddlers And Preschoolers
      • Why School Choice is Important in High School
      • Choosing Childen's Books That Create Smart Readers
    • Free Homeschool Worksheets
    • The Bibliophile's Library Journal - Book News, Reviews, & Info
    • Penning Your World ~ A Creative Writing Journal
    • Monsters Within Us ~ An Otherworldly Journal of Monstrous Incantations >
      • A Lighter Shade of Green
  • Health & Beauty
    • Whole Body Health, Healing, & Medicine Journal
    • Good Eats For The Soul ~ Vegan Diet, Recipes, & Food Journal >
      • Recipe Books By Lyn Lomasi
    • Fash Diva ~ A Clothing, Shoes, & Fashion Journal
    • Naturally Simple ~ A Self-Care & Beauty Journal
    • Senior Living
    • Disabilities Articles
    • Green Living Articles
  • Society & Causes
    • Causes We Support
    • Speak Up!; A Homelessness & Social Justice Journal
    • Animal Advocacy >
      • Pet Resources >
        • Heart 'N Mind Paw Rescue >
          • Pawsitive Parenting Pet Rescue Journal
        • Sounds of Nature
      • Animal Advocacy & Healthy Pet Parenting Journal
      • Positive Pet Parenting Journal
      • Raising Pet Positive Kids
      • Supermom ...Kind Of
      • Pawsitively Adventurous Pets
      • Purrely Pawsitive And Barkably Amazing Pet Training Tips
      • Dog Praising
      • Spirit of the Wild Lands and Animals
    • Motivational Friends Inspirational Journal
    • Straight Up LGBTQ Blog
    • Colorful Expressions
    • Inner Healing & Spirituality Journal
    • Naturally Connected Journey - Views On Life, Passions, & Interests
  • Travel
    • RV'ing Successfully ~ A Family Roadschooling & Travel Journal
    • Hometown Love ~ A Local Journal
  • Fun & Games
    • Gaming Successfully
    • Luna Starlight Comics
    • Crafting Successfully Arts & Crafts Journal
    • Culture Carnival; A Festival, Tradition, & Holiday Journal
    • Mouthy Momtrepreneur Journal
    • Clowning Around
    • Music Articles Journal
    • Entertainment Articles Journal
    • Humor Treasure Trove; A Funny Comedy Journal

The Sudden and Sharp Rise of Topps Update Hobby Boxes!

4/2/2020

0 Comments

 
by  Phoenix Desertsong, Sports Card Fanatic
This post features products available at ThePit.com - where you can trade sports cards and hobby boxes like stocks!
Topps Update prices soared in 2019. Why is that? Has the popularity of the 2011 Mike Trout Topps Update rookie card worn off on the entire brand? Because these sets often have what are considered the “true” Major League rookie cards for MLB players, it’s no surprise that sets with big name players have value. But, why have they sold so fantastically well in 2019?

Update sets have existed for a long time, going back to when they were called Topps Traded back in 1981. These sets consisted of players who were traded during the season. They also included rookies that were called up during the season.

In the past, Update sets were typically factory sets, in which you got the full set in one purchase.  This was a popular trend in the 80s, fueled by competition between the three major brands (Topps, Fleer and Donruss). For Topps Update, sets were sold in complete form all the way through 1994. But, in 1995 Topps turned Update into a set that had to built the traditional card collecting way, through opening packs.


Topps seemed to decide that variations were the way to sell the Update product, which started out as “Traded” and would later become called Updates & Highlights and later just Update. That was probably a good move, since the popularity of the factory sets depended entirely on whether there were hot rookie cards that people wanted to chase. By turning them into pack sets, rather than complete sets, they could include some inserts and create a chase for the rookies and stars in the set.

Turning the Update sets into a pack-based product worked out well for Topps.  Eventually, they would start including relic cards and even autograph cards. They later included photo variations and other short printed versions of cards in the set.

Photo variations and other short printed cards are hot with collectors, especially player collectors. So, even though the Update sets don’t have large base checklists, pulling individual cards is actually more difficult than you would think. Now, you don't just chase key rookie cards. You now have multiple other cards of those rookies to chase, as well.


Is Topps Update produced in smaller quantities than the Bowman sets? There isn’t any data to show this, but there is definitely a crazy amount of demand for these sets. Having short printed (SP) variations, especially ones that are serial numbered, has made the Topps Update set a major favorite every fall. The scarcity of the SP's clearly helps to create enthusiasm for the product.

People really do like the photography and design of the Update cards. But, what drives the recent Update sales are the pure amount of good players included in the sets. Then, when you consider the short-printed photo variations and serial numbered parallels, suddenly you can be opening multiple cards of the same player - something that is pretty cool for collectors..

Let’s take a look at three of the best Topps Update sets in recent memory: 2015, 2017, and 2018 Topps Update.

2015 Topps Update
* * 2015 Topps Update * *

Key players: Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Noah Syndergaard
Kris Bryant is featured right on the box of 2015 Topps Update. After a 2018 season that was awful by his standards, Bryant bounced right back in 2019. Bryant’s rookie card is the chase card in the 2015 Topps Update set, along with the rookie card of Indians superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Beyond the big five names, there are also rookie cards for hot 2019 players like Gio Urshela of the Yankees and Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto also has a rookie card in the set. It also has the rookie card of Texas Rangers’ slugger Joey Gallo. You’re guaranteed at least one auto or relic card (aka a “hit”) in every box.




Available on thePit:

2015 Topps Update Series Baseball Hobby Box 2015 Topps Update Sealed Box - ONLY $125!


Picture
* *  2017 Topps Update * *

Key players: Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge was incredible in his 2017 rookie season and while injured some in 2018 he still put up good numbers. 2019 was extremely unkind to Judge on the injury front, though. Fortunately, Cody Bellinger decided to become the talk of baseball during the first couple months of 2019. With his National League MVP, he’s become the key player to chase in the 2017 Topps Update set.

2017 Topps Update also has rookie cards for Oakland A’s star third baseman Matt Chapman, Astros’ third baseman Alex Bregman, Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, Yankees first baseman Luke Voit and rising starting pitcher Domingo German, and Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi.

Many collectors opt for the Jumbo box  which has 10 massive 50-card packs. A regular box of 2017 Topps Update contains only one autograph or relic card, but the Jumbo box guarantees an autograph AND two relic cards. 


Available on thePit:
2017 Topps Update Series Baseball JUMBO Hobby Box 

Picture
* * 2018 Topps Update * *

Key players: Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Gleyber Torres

2018 was a GREAT year for rookies. The Braves had Ronald Acuna Jr and Ozzie Albies perform, and Acuna broke out in a BIG way in 2019! Juan Soto was a nice surprise for the Nationals, won a World Series, and has become one of the hottest players in the entire hobby. 

Shohei Ohtani lived up to his hype in 2018, though injury set him back big time in 2019. Even unable to pitch, he still provided value with the bat. Gleyber Torres turned out to be an awesome steal by the Yankees. He’s bloomed into an everyday power-hitting infielder who has become an anchor for the Bronx lineup.

There are also rookie cards of 2019 breakout performers like Austin Meadows and Shane Bieber in the set. So, there is even more potential for this set from an investment standpoint.

Available on ThePit:
2018 Topps Update Series Baseball Sealed BLASTER Box
2018 Topps Update Series Baseball BLASTER Sealed 16 Box CASE
2018 Topps Update Series Baseball Sealed Hobby Box


Which is your favorite of these three Topps Update sets? Do you think 2019 Topps Update will come anywhere close to the value of these two sets in the coming years?
0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    ALL STAFF

    Lyn Lomasi Rowell
    Richard Rowell
    Laurie Childree
    Stephanie Laursen-Nolan

    OWNERS

    Picture
    Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell  are life & business partners. Owners of the Brand Shamans network, we are your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superheroes to the rescue!

    Running our network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is our top priority.

    While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, we conquer the world, living the RV life and managing our Intent-sive Nature with our awesomely crazy family while taking our kids on Upstream Parenting adventures & lessons.

    We also strive to one day cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, we’ll settle for furry rescue kitties and doggies.

    We support many causes via our business ventures, such as homelessness, support for trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from Intent-sive Nature goes toward helping homeless pets in local shelters.

    Categories

    All
    2014 MLB Playoffs
    2018 MLB Playoffs
    2019 MLB Sleepers
    Abdullah
    Arizona Diamondbacks
    Athlete Profiles
    Atlanta Braves
    Baltimore Orioles
    Baseball
    Baseball America
    Baseball Cards
    Baseball Hall Of Fame
    Baseball Mogul 2016
    Baseball News
    Baseball Player Biographies
    Baseball Player Bios
    Basketball
    Basketball Cards
    Blue Jays
    Boston
    Boston Red Sox
    Boxing
    Card Collecting
    Chicago Cubs
    Chicago White Sox
    Cincinnati Reds
    Clay Buchholz
    Cleveland Indians
    Colorado Rockies
    Console Baseball Games
    Daniel Murphy
    Detroit Tigers
    Fantasy Baseball
    Florida Marlins
    Football
    Football Card Investment
    Football Cards
    Football Pool
    Football Squares
    Free Printables
    Golf
    Hockey
    Houston Astros
    Houston Colts
    Husain Abdullah
    John Lackey
    Junk Wax Dynasty
    Kansas City
    Kansas City Royals
    KC
    KC Royals
    Listia
    Los Angeles Angels
    Los Angeles Dodgers
    Lyn Lomasi
    Major League Baseball
    Miami Marlins
    Milwaukee Brewers
    Minnesota Twins
    MLB
    MLB 2019 Preview
    MLB Baseball
    MLB Hot Stove
    MLB Player Bios
    MLB Players
    MLB The Show
    NASCAR
    NBA
    NCAA
    New York Mets
    New York Yankees
    NFL
    NHL
    Oakland Athletics
    Office Pool
    Office Squares
    PC Baseball Games
    Pedro Martinez
    Penalties
    Philadelphia Phillies
    Pittsburgh Pirates
    Playoffs
    Playstation Baseball Games
    Portland Sea Dogs
    Prayer
    Prayer In Sports
    Racing
    Red Sox
    Red Sox Cards
    Rookie Card Review
    Rookie Cards
    San Diego Padres
    San Francisco Giants
    Seattle Mariners
    Sports
    Sports Card Market
    Sports Cards
    Sports Collectibles
    Sports Films
    Sports Games
    Sports Simulation
    St Louis Cardinals
    St. Louis Cardinals
    Superbowl
    Super Bowl
    Super Bowl Squares
    Superbowl Squares
    Tampa Bay Rays
    Texas Rangers
    Topps Heritage
    Topps Update
    Toronto Blue Jays
    Vintage Baseball Cards
    Xander Bogaerts
    Yahoo Fantasy Sports

    Archives

    June 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013

COMPANY & SUPPORT

About Us & Contact
Brand Healing Journal
Become an Affiliate!
Disclosure, TOU, Disclaimer, & Privacy Policy
Write For Our Sites!

ALL SITES

Brand Shamans
Life Successfully
Intent-sive Nature
Write W.A.V.E. Media
Pawsitive Parenting

Guest Post Writers

Daily Cashouts
GoSteady.me
Poverty And Homelessness
Article Writer For Hire
Lyn Lomasi
Heart 'N Mind Homeschool    
Pre-K Yoga
Kids Chakra

Legit Cash Now
Souls Within
Better Plumbing (Partner Site)
Heart 'N Mind Paw Rescue
© 2005-2020 Life... Successfully by  Brand Shamans
Photos used under Creative Commons from slgckgc, Keith Allison, Keith Allison, slgckgc, Gerry Dincher