This year's rendition of Gypsy Queen marks the line's 10th edition.
Do you remember 2011 Gypsy Queen?
After a lackluster response to National Chicle in 2010, many dealers weren't interested in stockpiling the next throwback issue. This resulted in a fairly limited print run overall.
However, the set was an instant hit. Scarcity played a part in the release, but the set had a decent design. Many collectors turned away from the bright colors of Chicle, but Gypsy Queen had earthy tones with an authentic-looking grainy filter to the images. The minis looked good and came in a few parallels, and there were full-size unique framed parallels as well.
On-card autographs didn't hurt, either. Memorabilia cards look nice, and the checklists for hits showed a lot of star power. The inserts were themed appropriately, even though they were simple themes - future stars, home run hitters, great-fielding outfielders. A super-limited set had fictitional gypsy queens.
2011 Gypsy Queen had something for almost everyone, looked great, and was tough to find.
As the years have gone by, the set has kept the same basic formula - minis, hits, and a few insert sets. But in recent years, Topps has been making the same changes as their other sets - image variations, an increase in gimmicky parallels, and arguably a less-appealing lineup for the hits.
What I really loved about early Gypsy Queen sets were the inserts. The gypsies only appeared in 2011 and 2012, but topical inserts lasted through 2016. In fact, the only insert set I haven't finished is the Basics of Baseball mini set, which is one of the best insert sets found in Gypsy Queen.
Do you remember that 2011 Gypsy Queen had mini versions of their inserts?
In 2017, Gypsy Queen moved away from inserts themed to the type of players in them. That was the first year of the Fortune Tellers, which are interesting but not themed. Now, there are Tarot of the Diamond, too. Nice... not themed.
So what are we left with in 2020? The tenth version of a throwback set, with none of the fun pieces that made 2011 so appealing.
I argue that Gypsy Queen has reached the end of its shelf life. Allen & Ginter will hit 15 this year, but A&G has variety - unique subjects found in the base set and inserts.
I like the GQ design enough, but it feels so uninspired after ten years of the same thing. Topps would need to go back to fun themed inserts to change my mind. You can keep Fortune Teller and Tarot, but bring back sets like Sticky Fingers and Moonshots.
Or retire the design and start new with another throwback design. (Yes, A&G's design is getting tiring, too; Topps could port this concept to a different old multi-sport set starting next year.)
American Caramel. Bazooka. Hostess. Exhibits would be cool for A&G. Diamond Stars, DeLong Gum. Zeenuts PCL. Have we had Old Judge? I don't remember seeing a full Old Judge set. Seriously, so many choices.
I just know that I'm bored with Gypsy Queen. Even Cardboard Connection doesn't know what to say about it. "Take another retro-inspired cardboard journey with MLB stars"; "Keeping to the standard format...". Yawn.
What do you think? Should this be the end of Gypsy Queen?
2020 Gypsy Queen images from Cardboard Connection.
Four months ago I received my first "shipment" of mail from America. There wasn't much in it - the Sasha Cohen card I posted about a month ago, a package I'll show off in a couple days (I hope...), plus this random item. Derek of Tomahawk Chopping (wow his site is crazy now!) sent along this SP from 2011 Gypsy Queen for some unknown reason. Was I supposed to send something in return? Did I send something in return? I'm lost...
Anyway, thanks Derek! One more card from the SPs down, most of the rest still remaining...
I don't think anyone is surprised to see the return of Gypsy Queen - it was the most talked-about product of the year, and the lack of a set next year would probably result in an Occupy Topps protest.
Hmmm. #OccupyTopps, anybody?
Anyway, the release date, according to Beckett, is April 18. You can expect two autographs and two relics per hobby box, which is the same as last year.
The base set, seen above, will be 350 cards deep, with 50 short prints.
Minis will return, of course. And like last year, an exclusive-mini pack will carry the inserts in mini form.
What will those inserts be? Moonshots (home run hitters), Glove Stories (seen above - good fielders), Slide Show (baserunners, almost a lost art if you ask me), and Gypsy Kings. Also mentioned is a 12-card set of a "famed mythical 1887 Barnstorming team" with autograph and relic parallels (like the Gypsy Queen inserts had this year).
We know there will be parallels, and in addition to the minis we'll see Blue Paper framed cards (/599), Black Paper framed cards (1/1), plates, and mini GQ backs, black, green, sepia, and "straight cut" backs. Don't forget the plates and mini plates!
At two per box, autographs will include auto'd relics in single, dual, and triple form. Expect mini autographs as well.
Speaking of relics, there will be Indian Penny relics and stadium seat relics, in addition to last year's regular relics, mini framed relics, and the popular sketch-patch cards.
The autograph list includes: Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Frank Thomas, Frank Robinson, John Smoltz, Robinson Cano, Ryne Sandberg, Felix Hernandez, Bob Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Clayton Kershaw, Albert Belle, and Allen Craig. There will be at least 40 signers for the full-size cards. The mini checklist, only 15 players deep, includes Matt Kemp and Nelson Cruz.
Thoughts: Topps is keeping the formula almost exactly the same. That is a fantastic plan, even if it's what Topps does all the time. Don't fix what isn't broken! There is a bit more flair to the design, but the image size remains the same. It reminds me a bit of Allen & Ginter, but most tobacco issues of the era feature ornate designs. The Glove Stories insert card looks decent, if you ignore the text across the top. It just doesn't quite fit. I don't hate it! I'm hoping the other insert sets are consistent in design, as they were this year.
There are more parallels, and I dislike the inclusion of another 1/1 parallel (I'd rather see the black paper parallel numbered to something like 50, 100, or 1000). As for the announced signers, the list is strong, but it includes less than half of the total signers, and I guarantee there will be players like Cliff Pennington with about 1000 copies, while most of the players above will be at a much lower quantity. The addition of Indian Penny and stadium seat relics will be a good thing if they're produced in lower (but not impossible) quantities.
Unlike the Gypsy Queens from this issue, I probably won't have any interest in the Kings. Gypsy Queens are known for their mystery, sexuality, and psychic powers, while Gypsy Kings conjure up images of snake-oil salesmen and other con artists. I'm interested in seeing where this mythical 1887 barnstorming team set ends up. If they're inserted at the same rate (or easier) as the Gypsy Queens, I'll probably put that set together. But if it's as tough as the "Team Orange" level of minis in Allen & Ginter, I won't have a chance.
Bottom line: We know this will sell. I'll put together a mini-master complete set, with the Moonshots, Glove Stories, Slide Show, and (tentatively) the barnstorming team inserts following as I did this year. I might give the Gypsy Kings inserts a shot. Depending on where I am and my monetary situation, this may be my first on-release hobby box purchase in several years.
To go along with this amazing set, I provide you with Amazing Moustached Bollywood Action. Just watch.
