The “reimagination” business has been good for Major League Baseball’s official trading card partner. After a modest start, Topps Project 2020 has become a big hit with hundreds of thousands of cards sold in just a couple of months. It is quickly becoming one the company’s most successful new endeavors in a long time, one that’s already generating millions of dollars in revenue.
The company hired 20 artists and designers to create their own examples of 20 classic cards from past releases. The back of each card states Project 2020 “visually reimagines the baseball cards that have defined generations, ushering in a new era of seminal artwork.” The cards are printed on thick, glossy 130pt stock.
Some of the project 2020 cards look very similar to the originals while others borrow very little from them.
Topps Project 2020: How to Buy
The cards sell for $19.99. Cheaper prices are available in quantity and there’s a two-card bundle deal with a slight discount if you purchase both cards on a given day. The cards are “print on demand” meaning the company prints only the number of cards ordered.
There are also 20 “Artist’s Proof” versions of each card offered every day but they often sell out in seconds.
Some sellers who buy the cards in bulk from Topps offer Project 2020 cards on eBay at a single card price that’s lower than $19.99. You’ll wait a few days longer to get them as sellers will have to re-route them to you once they receive their order.
Topps Project 2020 Checklist
Here are the 20 Topps cards from the past that are getting the project 2020 treatment:
1952 Willie Mays
1952 Jackie Robinson
1955 Sandy Koufax
1959 Bob Gibson
1980 Rickey Henderson
1989 Ken Griffey Jr
1969 Nolan Ryan
1984 Don Mattingly
1992 Bowman Mariano Rivera
1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken
1983 TonyGwynn
1975 George Brett
1987 Mark McGwire
1990 Frank Thomas
1985 Dwight Gooden
1955 Roberto Clemente
1954 Ted Williams
Topps Project 2020 Release Time
Released two at a time at around noon Eastern time each weekday through the Topps website, the cards are housed in a plastic holder. Again, they’re offered for a two-day period so there’s no real rush to buy as soon as you see them.
Even if there’s a holiday, Topps still offers two fresh cards each Monday-Friday. They’ll continue to unveil ten new cards per week until the project ends late this year.
Topps Project 2020 Artists
The 20 artists all have different styles. Like any art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ESPN took an inside look at the artists’ early work and their thought process.
You can see the entire list of participating artists and learn a little about each of them in our initial story on the project back in March.
Topps Project 2020 Print Runs (updated regularly)
Below is an ongoing list of the Project 2020 cards, the artists who made them and the total print runs for each. It’s a good way to see every single card in the series and check prices.
To get a look at the cards, click the links and you’ll see them for sale and auction.
Card 1 – 2001 Ichiro by Ben Baller – Print Run: 1334
Card 2 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 1135
Card 3 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Naturel – Print Run: 1302
Card 4 – 2011 Mike Trout by Ermsy – Print Run: 2911
Card 5 – 1982 Cal Ripken by Fucci – Print Run: 1205
Card 6 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by King Saladeen – Print Run: 2504
Card 7 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Grotesk – Print Run: 1205
Card 8 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 1617
Card 9 – 1954 Ted Williams by JK5 – Print Run: 1385
Card 10 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 1844
Card 11 – 1975 George Brett by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 1227
Card 12 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 1065
Card 13 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Keith Shore – Print Run: 1686
Card 14 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 1221
Card 15 – 1952 Willie Mays by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 1464
Card 16 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 1302
Card 17 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Efdot – Print Run: 1456
Card 18 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 2623
Card 19 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Naturel – Print Run: 1819
Card 20 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 1576
Card 21 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 2104
Card 22 – 2001 Ichiro by Ermsy – Print Run: 1972
Card 23 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Ben Baller – Print Run: 2836
Card 24 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Grotesk – Print Run: 1441
Card 25 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 3707
Card 26 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 1101
Card 27 – 1952 Willie Mays by Efdot – Print Run: 1480
Card 28 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Keith Shore – Print Run: 1199
Card 29 – 1993 Derek Jeter by King Saladeen – Print Run: 9873
Card 30 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 2215
Card 31 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 2741
Card 32 – 2001 Ichiro by JK5 – Print Run: 1798
Card 33 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 2409
Card 34 – 1954 Ted Williams by Fucci – Print Run: 1131
Card 35 – 2011 Mike Trout by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 13,200
Card 36 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 2488
Card 37 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 2621
Card 38 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Ermsy – Print Run: 1864
Card 39 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 9322
Card 40 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Naturel – Print Run: 2319
Card 41 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 2452
Card 42 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 2980
Card 43 – 1975 George Brett by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 2360
Card 44 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 1480
Card 45 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Grotesk – Print Run: 1910
Card 46 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 1268
Card 47 – 1984 Don Mattingly by King Saladeen – Print Run: 2763
Card 48 – 1952 Willie Mays by JK5 – Print Run: 1556
Card 49 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 2149
Card 50 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 2369
Card 51 – 2011 Mike Trout by Ben Baller – Print Run: 34,950
Card 52 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Efdot – Print Run: 4103
Card 53 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 4236
Card 54 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Keith Shore – Print Run: 1451
Card 55 – 1975 George Brett by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 1992
Card 56 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 1127
Card 57 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 3819
Card 58 – 1954 Ted Williams by Ermsy – Print Run: 4859
Card 59 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Grotesk – Print Run: 6511
Card 60 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Naturel – Print Run: 2687
Card 61 – 1952 Willie Mays by King Saladeen – Print Run: 5459
Card 62 – 2001 Ichiro by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 6207
Card 63 – 2011 Mike Trout by Fucci – Print Run: 16,430
Card 64 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 3368
Card 65 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 5041
Card 66 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 9356
Card 67 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 7383
Card 68 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by JK5 – Print Run: 8518
Card 69 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 7900
Card 70 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 6757
Card 71 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Ben Baller – Print Run: 15,741
Card 72 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Keith Shore – Print Run: 9545
Card 73 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Don C – Print Run: 11,969
Card 74 – 1954 Ted Williams by Efdot – Print Run: 8897
Card 75 – 1975 George Brett by Grotesk – Print Run: 5638
Card 76 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Fucci – Print Run: 6607
Card 77 – 2001 Ichiro by King Saladeen – Print Run: 11,425
Card 78 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 8610
Card 79 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 11,643
Card 80 – 1952 Willie Mays by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 10,480
Card 81 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 18,205
Card 82 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 20,974
Card 83 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 8806
Card 84 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Ermsy – Print Run: 14,867
Card 85 – 2011 Mike Trout by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 33,818
Card 86 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Ben Baller – Print Run: 25,928
Card 87 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 64,629
Card 88 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Keith Shore – Print Run: 99,177
Card 89 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Naturel – Print Run: 43,147
Card 90 – 1954 Ted Williams by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 41,407
Card 91 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by JK5 – Print Run: 35,330
Card 92 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Don C – Print Run: 41,392
Card 93 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 48,465
Card 94 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Efdot – Print Run: 31,030
Card 95 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 27,299
Card 96 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Fucci – Print Run: 22,911
Card 97 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 19,894
Card 98- 1952 Jackie Robinson by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 20,219
Card 99- 1955 Sandy Koufax by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 21,535
Card 100- 2011 Mike Trout by Blake Jamieson – 74,862
Card 101 – 1952 Willie Mays by Jacob Rochester – 10,568
Card 102 – 1975 George Brett by Keith Shore -10,757
Card 103 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 11,577
Card 104 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by JK5 – Print Run: 11,578
Card 105 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by King Saladeen – Print Run: 12,874
Card 106 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Grotesk – Print Run: 8854
Card 107 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Ermsy – Print Run: 24,908
Card 108 – 1959 Bob Gibson by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 11,395
Card 109 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Ben Baller – Print Run: 36,466
Card 110 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 12,077
Card 111 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 9169
Card 112 – 1975 George Brett by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 6558
Card 113 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 8401
Card 114 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Efdot – Print Run: 14,067
Card 115 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Naturel– Print Run: 6763
Card 116 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Don C – Print Run:10,957
Card 117 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Blake Jamieson – Print Run: 7460
Card 118 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 8469
Card 119 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Fucci – Print Run: 5868
Card 120 – 2001 Ichiro by Keith Shore – Print Run: 8333
Card 121 – 2011 Mike Trout by JK5 – Print Run: 20,961
Card 122 – 1954 Ted Williams by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 9507
Card 123 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Jacob Rochester – Print Run: 4966
Card 124 – 1959 Bob Gibson by King Saladeen – Print Run: 6090
Card 125 – 1955 Sandy Koufax by Joshua Vides – Print Run: 4966
Card 126 – 1969 Nolan Ryan by Grotesk – Print Run: 4859
Card 127 – 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 10,472
Card 128 – 1952 Willie Mays by Don C – Print Run: 7195
Card 129 – 1980 Rickey Henderson by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 6609
Card 130 – 2001 Ichiro by Naturel – Print Run: 6238
Card 131 – 1992 Mariano Rivera by Mister Cartoon – Print Run: 9468
Card 132 – 1993 Derek Jeter by Ben Baller – Print Run: 64,088
Card 133 – 1975 George Brett by Ermsy – Print Run: 7757
Card 134 – 1987 Mark McGwire by Fucci – Print Run: 5092
Card 135 – 1983 Tony Gwynn by Gregory Siff – Print Run: 4863
Card 136 – 1982 Cal Ripken Jr. by Matt Taylor – Print Run: 4976
Card 137 – 1985 Dwight Gooden by Efdot – Print Run: 7141
Card 138 – 1955 Roberto Clemente by Andrew Thiele – Print Run: 6507
Card 139 – 1984 Don Mattingly by Oldmanalan – Print Run: 4682
Card 140 – 1952 Jackie Robinson by Tyson Beck – Print Run: 6068
Card 141 – 1990 Frank Thomas by Keith Shore – Print Run: 6678
Card 142 – 2011 Mike Trout by Sophia Chang – Print Run: 14,821
Card 143 – 1952 Willie Mays by Blake Jamieson – Print Run:
Card 144 – 1959 Bob Gibson by JK5 – Print Run:
Topps Project 2020 Review
You’ll love some of the Artist cards and probably not love others at all. Each artist’s style is conveyed in their work and you only have to look at a few of their cards to get an idea of what that is. Some are nostalgic, others incorporate skylines and other images or words associated with the player’s city or his nickname. Others look more like abstract art or a cartoon than baseball card. To expect them all to look like standard issue cards, though, is to miss the point. They’re also meant to appeal to a much wider audience, some of whom are fans of the artists.
The Project 2020 cards are very thick and look much better in hand than they do on a computer screen. You’ll appreciate some of the small details and what the artists have done to some of the backgrounds once you see one up close. Sandy Koufax and Ebbets Field. Derek Jeter and the New York skyline. Rickey Henderson and a few nods to his home city of Oakland.
It’s fun to see some of these cards collectors know so well getting a “fresh coat of paint.” Some are actually preferable to the originals, at least from a design perspective. While the cards aren’t “cheap” they’re inexpensive enough that most collectors can own at least a few of them. Topps seems to have found a happy medium from that standpoint.
Those who saw them as a potential investment from the very beginning are being rewarded. Some of the cards from the first couple of weeks have seen an increase in value they never could have imagined with the demand much greater than the print run. A complete set of 400 cards will likely hold its value fairly well, but it really depends on how much sustained interest there will be. Most of the 400 cards will be easy to find and probably not that expensive in the long run. Some higher print cards are already selling below cost. Like any card set, the rarest cards will be in high demand.
Topps Project 2020 Values
Value of on-demand cards is usually based largely on print runs and that’s true with these but the popularity of the player and the artist has a lot to do with it to. One of the earliest large print runs was for Ben Baller’s Mike Trout card–over 30,000 were ordered–but they were selling for over $100 within a couple of weeks, largely thanks to demand and future speculation.
As of this point, most of the topps project 2020 cards with print runs under 5,000 have shown significant increases in auction prices on the secondary market, although the market has fluctuated greatly in recent days. Those produced in quantities of under 2,000 have given remarkable returns to those who bought at the original Topps selling price.
The low print run days may be over now that the platform is reaching more fans and more collectors, many of whom have bought in, hoping to flip theirs for profit in the longer term. That doesn’t mean certain cards won’t appreciate. As with any product, much will depend on demand.
In addition to checking out values through the auction links in the print run section above, you can get a live look at the overall ‘most watched’ Topps Project 2020 eBay auctions here.
Related Stories:
Topps’ Project 2020 Melds Art with Classic Cards
Notes: One Auction Halted Over Suit, Another Delayed; Topps On-Demand Update
Topps Tallies Early Sales of Project 2020 Cards
Notes: Big $ for Vintage Sets; Hobby vs. Pandemic; TV Piece on Uncle Jimmy Collection
Notes: Mattingly Signs “Project 2020”; Diamond Icons Checklist; Hall of Fame Field Trip
Trout Will Sign Autographs for Project 2020
Searches, Sales for Project 2020 Cards on eBay Made Huge Leaps from April to May
Notes: New Sales Record for Project 2020 Cards
Notes: Green to Upper Deck?; Great Video; Naked Wagner; Nostalgic Koufax Card
Dr. K Gets a Mask in Efdot’s Project 2020 Card
