Topps’ ode to a classic football card set is heavy on the art.
By Rich Klein
The 2009 Topps National Chicle Football set is based on the style and design of the legendary 1935 National Chicle football set.
That earlier offering, famous for its art deco design, included legendary football personages such as Knute Rockne and Bronko Nagurski. Needless to say a more modern version of that product will have more cards than the original 36 cards in that set. Topps has made sure of that.
Just as they were in 1935, the cards are done from original paintings. The artists are all profiled here and are treated as an important part of the set. Highly-regarded sports artists like Brian Kong and Monty Sheldon (who drew the cards for the modern Helmar series) contributed their talents to this project.
And then, the biggest question is how did the marriage of modern technology in producing cards and tribute to old school design work out?
Since the product is based on the ’35 National Chicle product; the design on the base card fronts is very similar to the original except the Topps logo is in the upper left corner.
The backs are different from the original in their promotion of the artist who drew that specific card.
The boxes are currently tradingin the $75-85 range on eBay and for that price one is supposed to receive two autographs and one relic card as the big hits.
Here’s what we pulled out of our box:
Base Set: 141 of 172 (No Duplicates)
SP’s: We received 3 SP’s: Bernard Berrian, Peyton Manning and Chad Ochocino
Minis: (One per pack for mini sized cards): Joseph Addai, Jon Beason, Dwayne Bowe, Tony Dorsett, Matt Forte, Ted Ginn Jr, Ryan Grant, Darius Heyward-Bey, Michael Jenkins, Calvin Johnson Jr, Shawn Nelson, Hakeem Nicks, Terrell Owens, JaMarcus Russell, Matt Schaub, Steve Smith, Tony Scheffler, Hines Ward
Mini National Chicle Back: Matt Forte, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Jarett Dillard
Mini Bazooka Back: Chris Cooley, Troy Polamalu
Greatest Thrills: Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady
Stars of the Gridiron: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook
Greats of the Gridiron: Tony Dorsett
Era Icons: Boulder Dam, Sir Malcolm Campbell, China Clipper, Fort Knox, Helen Jacobs, Pennsylvania Railroad Train, Roller Derby, Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Youngsters of the Gridiron: Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, Knowshon Moreno, Eddie Royal, Mark Sanchez, Steve Slaton
Autographs: Nate Davis, Jason Smith
Relic: Mohammed Massaquoi
Cabinet Artist Signature (#d to 50): Jay Cutler pictured, Brian Kong Signature. This card is a “box-topper”
Rich Klein can be reached at Sabrgeek@aol.com
