Last year, the Five Star Quotable inscription cards were by far my favorite cards of the year, possibly ever. The football/nickname focused inscriptions with a great look inspired autograph chasers like me to go nuts for them. In fact, so many people were chasing them that the rare inscriptions reached incredible levels, even months after release.

This year, not surprisingly, Topps brought them back, and I am right back in the chase to acquire the ones I want to get. Again, the cards are selling for ridiculous prices, as now the people who got in late want to secure the rare veteran ones before they go into PC vaults forever.

2011 Five Star Joe Namath Inscription “Broadway Joe”

2011 Five Star Bart Starr Inscription “Ice Bowl Champs”

2011 Five Star Kurt Warner Inscription “Super Bowl XXXIV MVP”

2011 Five Star Cam Newton Inscription “#1 Pick”

2011 Five Star Jerry Rice Inscription “Super Bowl XXIII MVP”

These are not the first inscription cards to be created, but in a lot of ways, they are done in a way that makes previous ones look a little less cool. Although a lot of people liked the Upper Deck personal touch cards from 2009, the inscriptions focused on non-football related responses to questions. Topps made the right call to focus on having the players sign things associated with their own nicknames, stats, colleges and teams, and this only makes them more desirable for the collectors that love them.

I have already picked up Ponder and a few others, and I am trying to determine the best ways to pick up more. The problem with guys like Rice, Montana, Marino and company is that they are limited to 10 copies, meaning they can sell for hundreds of dollars. I especially like the ones where they players inscribe the team mottos or cheers, as it adds a level of team for a player focused hobby.

The bottom line is that these types of autographs add a level of unique autograph content that is not available any other way. Stickers take that out of the equation, and on card autos are made more valuable by an extra touch of player connection. Additionally, with every player signing autographs, past and present, the autograph alone does not drive the value the way it used to. Inscriptions are the only available method to do that on a normal sized card.

I suggested that Topps set up a wall at the Rookie Premiere and have the QBs throw inked balls at it to make marks, and then have them sign those marks. A little bit of “Andrew Luck or RGIII was here” type of thing. Of course, that would have to be done a little bit differently.

Overall, Five Star is far and away the best autographed focused product on the market and will continue to be as long as content like this is available.