While much of the country still shivers through winter, Topps and several dozen of its top case breakers, shop owners and distributors are gathered in Scottsdale, AZ at the company’s annual Industry Conference.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the #ToppsIndustryConference. What a great event that is made special by all the people in the room. pic.twitter.com/vIHewmVic8
— The Topps Company (@Topps) February 26, 2019
The company made several announcements on Tuesday, among them:
*Bowman Sterling is back. After a five-year absence, a stand alone Sterling baseball product is set to release on August 14. It’ll have one autograph per five-pack box along with a “wide assortment of parallels” according to a Topps presentation Tuesday morning. Debut Gear Relics, some with autographs, will be case hits. More info should be available shortly.
*Bowman Tek is going away. To make room for Sterling, Bowman Tek is disappearing from the release calendar this year.
*If you’re looking for something to open, you won’t have to wait long for the next release to come along:
Topps will release 37 baseball card products between now and the end of the year. #collect #thehobby #ToppsConference #ToppsIndustryConference pic.twitter.com/ml3QuYLWq3
— Sports Collector (@SportsCollector) February 26, 2019
You can see previews of all upcoming 2019 Topps baseball card products here.
*Topps says the cost of Bowman base has jumped about $16 in the last two years. Expect a similar cost increase for Bowman Draft and potentially other successful releases “that can absorb” them instead of all or the majority of releases.
*The company says it spends $1 million per year fulfilling redemptions.
*The $25,000 per box Transcendent product will return later this year. Look for either Derek Jeter or Ken Griffey Jr. to possibly be the special party guest. Last week, Mike Trout was on hand to sign autographs and talk with collectors and dealers who bought last year’s edition.
*There will be a Bowman Transcendent product later this year.
*Silver Pack giveaways will now continue through Topps Update.
*National Baseball Card Day will return on August 10 with 1.2 million packs to be distributed in stadiums and hobby shops with promotional support from MLB. The checklist will be revealed at this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.
*Topps has partnered with Utz Snacks, a Hanover, PA-based company, for a baseball card promotion. Starting in late March, Utz will place a four-card pack inside each twin pack of chips. The promotion will run for 17 weeks. 100 players will be in the set, which will be similar to the 2019 Topps base cards but carry the Utz logo.
*UFC products set for release include Chrome, Museum and Knockout.
*The company plans to release more WWE products closer to the date of events and will launch products for Summerlsam and Money In the Bank.
More WWE releases being put out closer to event dates. Check out this new product from one of my favorite PPV events. @SportsCollector pic.twitter.com/boHj2eYeJe
— Michael F (@MikesStadiumSC) February 26, 2019
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