Phillies Collector Review: 2013 Topps Archives

2013 Topps Archives unleashed a wave of nostalgia when packs hit the retail market earlier this week.  One of the most anticipated releases of the year, Archives returned with a new crop of retro card designs featuring popular Major Leaguers from the past three decades.  The 250-card set is split into a base of 200 (with cards segmented by four different Topps card designs: 1972, 1982, 1985 and 1990), and 50 Fan Favorite, short prints with varying card designs.

The Phillies are well-represented throughout the base and various insert sets.  Especially Mike Schmidt, who has a ten different cards available (including parallel versions).  The "Fan Favorites" cards, which feature popular players who might not otherwise be recognized with a short-print or autograph card are a real highlight of the set.  I was happy to see both Larry Bowa and Juan Samuel representing the team.  And, while there is not a lot of emphasis on relic cards, the Phils have three inclusions: Ben Revere, Dom Brown and Ryan Howard.

Overall, 2013 Archives delivers a fun mix of old and new players, inserts and short production run autograph cards that keep old and new collectors engaged (and buying)…

Base Set*

1972

• # 8 Roy Halladay
• #28 Mike Schmidt
• #47 Ryan Howard

1982

• #54 Cliff Lee
• #58 Cole Hamels

1990

• #162 Carlos Ruiz

*Base cards have gold parallels #/199; printing plates 1/1

Fan Favorite Short Prints

• #213 Juan Samuel
• #226 Larry Bowa
• #240 Darren Daulton

Inserts/Relics

1983 All Star

• Mike Schmidt

1973/1974 Action Emblem Stickers

• Mike Schmidt

1971 Topps Greatest Moments Box toppers #/99

Mini Tall Boys

• Mike Schmidt

1969 4-in-1 Stickers

• Steve Carlton (with Spahn, Koufax and Kershaw)

Dual Fan Favorites

• Darren Daulton/Carlos Ruiz
• Juan Samuel/Jimmy Rollins

1998 Stadium Club Triumvirate

• Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay

1960 Topps Relics

• Ben Revere
• Domonic Brown
• Ryan Howard

Autographs

• Juan Samuel (Fan Favorites Autos)
• Larry Bowa (Fan Favorites Autos)
• Darren Daulton (Fan Favorites Autos)
• Mike Schmidt (1973 Framed mini #/25)
• Mike Schmidt (Mini, Tall Boy #/25)
• Larry Bowa, Juan Samuel and Darren Daulton (Triple Autos)
• Mike Schmidt (1971 Topps Greatest Moments Auto Box Topper #/10)
• Mike Schmidt (1983 Topps All Star Autos #/5 or less)

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