If there is one thing that Topps does VERY well, its retro themed baseball products. The designs always look nice, the cards are usually hard signed, and they offer something for everyone. Gypsy Queen has been a staple for a number of years now, and I feel like it doesnt get half the attention it deserves. The cards are rarely anything short of great looking.

Here are some past examples, you can see how nice they look:

2012 Gypsy Queen Sandy Koufax Auto SSP

2014 Gypsy Queen Bryce Harper Mini Auto 5/5

2014 Gypsy Queen Hank Aaron Green Auto 1/10

2015 Gypsy Queen Mike Trout Auto /25

2015 Gypsy Queen Jose Bautista Mini Auto Relic /25

Although this year’s set doesnt differ much in design or formula from the previous years, I dont think that is necessarily a bad thing when you have something working the way Topps does with this. Although I dont think it will ever measure up to the big daddy in Allen & Ginter, its a product that I will have no issue opening a box or two.

Because this is a retro product, Gypsy Queen has a lot to offer both set collectors and hit/autograph chasers, as both sides of things are represented and represented well in the boxes. It should have a nice base set with lots of inserts and SPs, coupled with 4 hits per box, including 2 guaranteed autographs. Because Ginter doesnt guarantee an auto per box, I have always had trouble committing to opening more than one. This is a bit different.

The issue with GQ has always been the checklist for the hits, as Topps has had the tendency to water down the autographs with some unfortunately low tier guys. However, if you manage to pull one of the big names, you will walk away with a REALLY nice card. One you can display with pride.

There are some adjustments to the lineup this year, with the baseball swatch cards now vertical instead of horizontal, and now the on card mini booklet relic autos, which were stickers last year. Both look like nice changes to keep people chasing. The 1/1 canvas sketch patches are back too, which are some of the more interesting cards of this type. They end up being almost like miniature works of art, which is awesome.

Check out the previews: