The season will be over and the company’s NFLPA partnership near an end when it arrives but 2015 Topps Definitive Collection Football cards will have high-end box buyers’ attention.
Topps has released preliminary images and information for its newest football card product, promising to deliver rookie cards made from game-used footballs and other premium cards for a price tag that will approach $800 upon its February 24 release. A full checklist is available at the bottom of this page.
The product will be among Topps’ final NFL/NFLPA licensed products as Panini America takes over exclusive licensing in the spring. Topps will push out seven football products between January 27 and the end of February.
2015 Topps Definitive Football will include current players and all-time greats with eight cards per pack. There will be no base cards. Instead, each pack will include six autographs and two relic cards. Topps is promising signatures will be on card.
The company is apparently hoping for some last minute input from collectors.
Please RT… What do you think of the preview for Definitive Collection FB? What can we do better? Cards are in production RIGHT NOW
— Jeff Zachowski (@jeffzachowski) September 8, 2015
Autograph Inscription Collection will include what Topps calls “the highest profile rookies, beloved veteran stars and iconic legends”. John Elway, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, Steve Young, Brett Favre, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, Lawrence Taylor and Roger Staubach are some of the players who have signed for Definitive. Autographs will include a variety of inscriptions for each player. Cards will be sequentially numbered with 1/1 Red parallels.
Among the major hits:
Leather Bound Rookie Autograph Patch Books. The outside of the book will be wrapped with leather from a player-used football, and the inside of the book includes a jumbo multi-color jersey patch along with an autograph. All will be serial numbered with 1/1 Red team logo patch parallels.
Definitive Rookie Autographs will also be numbered and include Green Parallels #’d to 25, Blue Parallels #’d to 10 and 1/1 Red.
The Framed Rookie Autograph Collection will showcase the top quarterback, running back and wide receiver rookies on framed cards.
The Legendary Autograph Collection will feature 20 of the best NFL players of all time, themed by NFL accolades such as Pro Bowl Selection, Super Bowls and All-Pro Selections.
Dual Autograph Collection cards feature 40 all-time combinations of Franchise Favorites, Gridiron Legends or Rookie Future Stars along with Green (# to 25 or less); Blue (# to 10 or less) and Red (1/1) Parallels.
Topps actually uses the phrase “investment quality” in describing its serial numbered base rookie autograph patches, promising the “biggest patch size seen”. Look for these game-used and standard relic parallels:
- Green Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 25
- Blue Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 10
- Red Parallel – Team Logo Patch #’d 1/1
- Red Parallel – Shield Patch from NFL jersey #’d 1/1
- Red Parallel – Glove Team Logo Patch #’d 1/1
- Red Parallel – NFL Football “The Duke” Patch #’d 1/1
- Red Parallel – Laundry Tag Patch #’d 1/1
- Red Parallel – NFL Draft Hat Team Logo #’d 1/1
Definitive Autographed Patch cards will include 25 current Franchise Favorites, Elite Rookies and Gridiron Legend subjects, all serial numbered. The cards feature a jumbo-size patch and an autograph and include: 
- Green Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 25 or less
- Blue Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 10 or less
- Red Parallel – Team Logo Patch #’d 1/1
Dual Autograph Patch Collection cards will feature 40 all-time combinations of Franchise Favorites, Gridiron Legends or Rookie Future Stars. Blue and Red parallels will be produced.
Framed Rookie Autographs will have 35 of the top quarterback, running back and wide receiver rookies in framed cards with jumbo jersey patch pieces. All will be numbered and also include Blue and Red parallels.
As for relic cards, look for Definitive Helmet Collection with up to 10 players from the 1st Round of the NFL Draft paired with an actual NFL Helmet relic. Topps will also produce chin strap buckle cards (# to 4) and an NFL Shield logo red parallel.
Definitive Nameplate Collection will be 1/1 cards which highlight the best rookie, veteran and retired legend players along with letters from their NFL jersey nameplates.
Jumbo Patch Collection will feature up to 40 of the “best rookies and current franchise favorites” according to Topps will oversized uniform patches. These will have four different Parallels: 
- Purple Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 35 or less
- Green Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 25 or less
- Blue Parallel – Multi-Color Patch #’d to 10
- Red Parallel – Team Logo Patch #’d 1/1
More 1/1s will come from the Definitive Patch Collection subset.
2015 Topps Definitive Collection Football Checklist
You can see what’s being offered on eBay here.
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