Topps Living Set puts new twist on set-building for hobbyists

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 12: A group of Topps baseball card packs wait to be given out to fans to celebrate National Baseball Card Day prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on August 12, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Twins 12-11. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Building on its successful direct-to-consumer suite of baseball card products, Topps has debuted a unique product for collectors to purchase online.

Baseball card collecting has for many hobbyists become all about the chase for the most valuable singles, but for some, building complete sets is still a relevant pursuit. For the crowd who enjoys putting together complete sets of products, the ultimate task of Topps Living Set is ready to be undertaken.

Last week Topps unveiled “Living Set” on its web site, the only place it will be available. Similar to its already-popular Topps Now line, new cards released in the line will only be available to purchase for a short period of time and only enough cards to fill the orders received will be manufactured. Collectors have a little bit more time to place their Living Set orders, however, as the new releases are available for purchase for a week. Topps Now cards are only available for 24 hours.

The rarity of these cards makes them collectable, but there’s so much more that makes them unique. The cards are styled after 1953 Topps, which was the first set to feature hand-painted images of players. The Aaron Judge No. 1 card depicted below is part of the first three-card installment and a great representation of the artistry.

The Aaron Judge card from the first installment of Topps Living Set. Photo courtesy of Topps. /

On top of the stellar design, the construction of this set is what makes it unique. Judge’s card is the first, but there’s no final card in this set. The Living Set will feature a new three-card release (currently priced at $14.99 or individual cards can be bought for $7.99) every week in perpetuity. No player will be featured more than once, unless he changes teams.

Because the set has no end, it’s the ultimate chase for set builders. This product is one that can truly cross generations of collectors as well. Perhaps more importantly, the line is a great expansion of Topps’ already robust direct to consumer, online only product offerings. The growth of e-commerce and innovations in business technology have allowed the baseball card industry to offer collectors new wrinkles in the hobby. Living Set is a great example.

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Whether it’s the aesthetics, the rarity or taking on the task of trying to build an infinite set, Topps Living Set produces several good reasons to set aside $15 a week from now on.

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