Nonsense Newsletter No. 87: Topps 206, inserts out the wahzoo, $1.5 Million for a jacket & more!
Sponsored by SGC Cards gosgc.com
In this week’s edition, John Dudley takes a look into the world of one of the small baseball products, but loved by many, nonetheless, Topps 206. I spend my time complaining about the shear volume of insert cards in the hobby today. The Quick Hits section, as usual, is absolutely loaded with wonderful information! I’d say that’s a pretty full edition, especially considering it was a holiday week for us in the U.S.A. So, sit back, light off a firework or two if you need to, and enjoy this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter.
Contributor: John Dudley
Today marks the release of one of the hobby’s smaller products, but one that has inspired a small, but passionate following. Topps 206 is the latest iteration using the vaunted 206 design. For many, the Honus Wagner 206 is the iconic card of the hobby and everything else is second. 2023 Topps 206 won’t inspire that level of devotion, but it is a neat product worth examining.Â
Topps has dabbled with the 206 brand, but this year marks the fourth in a row with similar traits. In the current run, all of the cards are mini-sized consistent with the original tobacco cards. There are a variety of variations ranging from different backs, different pictures, or even cards made out of wood.Â
There are some differences in this year’s offering. The previous three years have all been available as on-demand products. This year there is a set amount of product available. The other big difference is that this year’s product is being sold in four-pack boxes instead of as single packs. Box prices are $54.95 which works out to slightly cheaper than the previous $14.99 per pack. There are also some cool new variations. The biggest addition though are the 205 cards. The 206 set has always gotten a lot of attention, rightly so, but this is the biggest spotlight the 205 design has gotten in ages. So what else do I like about Topps 206? Let me count the ways.Â
Contributor: John McTaggart
As most of you know, I’ve fallen madly in love with breaking — after spending years not being a big fan.Â
That said, because of this, I’ve had the absolute honor and privilege to be a part of many breaks, on both sides of the camera, and aside from having an absolute blast in every one, I have made a keen observation.
There are too many inserts in 99-percent of the new products on the market, despite the sports, manufacturer or echelon of cards.
There really is.
Of course, Some are cooler, more scarce, and more treasure than others, but bottom line is, most of them are none of the aforementioned.Â
Quick Hits
Grading News- Grading volume data is in for June. PSA didn’t rebound and had a similar month to May, at under a million cards graded. The other companies are doing their best to get back to the 100,000 card-a-month mark. SGC was closest with 97,000, but BGS saw more growth in their increase to 74,000. CGC is a clear fourth and buoyed largely by their TCG volume.
Vintage- The guys at No. 1 seem to get all the glory, so it was nice to see Sports Collectors Daily give some recognition to some of the hockey players who wound up at No. 2. Check it out by clicking here.Â
Hobby News- Michael Jordan’s famed Reebok jacket from the 1992 Dream Team medal ceremony sold for a whopping 1.5 million. Not bad for something that Jordan couldn’t wait to get rid of. More info about the piece here.
Hobby News- Topps Finest might get overshadowed by the release of Topps Chrome, but while Chrome has fallen on hard times, Finest is the one product that Topps seems to have nailed down the formula for. Autos, rookies, a healthy dose of refractors, and familiar designs keep folks coming back each year.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.