Card Manufacturer: Topps
Year: 2012
Card Set: Gypsy Queen
Card Number GQR-RY
Card Type: Insert
Insert Set: Full Size Relic
Relic Type: Bat
In 2012, Robin didn't have a base card in the Gypsy Queen set. He did, however, have two relics in the set, this full size version and a framed mini. If this image looks familiar it's because it's one Topps has used over and over again. Just from a quick scan through the collection this image was also used for his Gold Rings Manurelic card in Topps Series 2, it would also get heavy usage in 2013 as Robin's Gypsy Queen mini box variation image, Tribute base card image, and Triple Threads base card image. In 2014 Topps would use it again for his Breakout Moments insert and some of his relic cards in Topps Museum Collection.
Now don't get me wrong it's a great pose, a great picture, with that classic baby powder blue uniform, but those examples up top are just what I could find from a casual search. I had thought about compiling an image gallery of all the cards Topps used the same image for and see how many, or few, are original. I don't know why Topps does this. It might have to do with licensing, but I would assume a company that has been around since the 50's and was the major card producer for all of Robin's career would have image gallery so huge and enviable that they could pick a different image for Robin till the end of days.
Ahem. I really like that his relic in this set is not super rare. As it were around this time a bunch of Robin's relic cards, most notably those for Allen and Ginter, had very low production numbers and are hard to find and pricey.
I think the issue is that they actually cannot use their own photos any more -- they have to use the photos that Getty Images has available. Or perhaps that is the issue.
ReplyDeleteOr, they are just lazy.