1996 Topps

This is a list with brief descriptions of Topps trading card products for 1996. All cards listed are standard size (2½ × 3½ inches). Exceptions are noted.

Baseball

Base set

The 1996 Topps set totals 440 cards, series one and two (220 cards in each series) and was issued in 12–card foil packs with a SRP of $1.29. The front features full-color photos surrounded by a white border. Information on the backs includes a player photo, season and career stats and text. Subsets include Star Power (1–6, 8–12), Draft Picks (13–26), AAA Stars (101–104) and Future Stars (210–219). A special Mickey Mantle card was issued as card number 7 in the base set. Notable rookie cards included in the set: Sean Casey, Raúl Ibañez, Matt Morris, Daryle Ward, Mark Bellhorn, Geoff Jenkins, Jarrod Washburn and Randy Winn.[1]

Classic Confrontations

These cards were inserted at a rate one in every five–card series one retail pack sold at Walmart. The first ten cards showcase hitters while the last five cards feature pitchers. Inside white borders, the fronts show player cutouts on a brownish rock background featuring a shadow image of the player. The player's name is in gold foil stamped across the bottom of the card. The horizontal backs of the hitters' are aqua and present headshots and statistics. The backs of the pitchers cards are purple and present the same information as the hitters' cards.[2]

Mantle

These cards honor New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle, who died, in August 1995 after suffering cancer. Randomly inserted in series one packs at a rate one and nine hobby packs, one in six retail packs and one in two jumbo packs. These cards are reprints of the original Mickey Mantle cards issued from 1951 through 1969. The fronts look the same except for a commemorative stamp, while the back clearly state that they are "Mickey Mantle Commemorative" cards and have a 1996 copyright date. Based on evidence from an uncut sheet auctioned off at the Kit Young Hawaii Trade Show, some collectors/dealers believe that cards 15 through 19 were slightly shorter printed in relation to the other 14 cards.[3]

Mantle Case

These 19 cards were inserted as one per case chip toppers in second series hobby, jumbo and vending case. Similar to the regular issue, the last five cards were printed with less quantities than the other 14 cards. The cards were issued in a soft plastic seal with the words "Topps Factory Seal 1996" on the back.[4]

Mantle Finest

Randomly inserted in series two packs at a rate one in 18 packs, this 19–card set is a reprint of the regular insert set using Finest technology. Each card front is covered with the exclusive Topps Finest Protector to guarantee its brilliant uncirculated condition.[5]

Mantle Finest Refractors

Randomly inserted at the rate of one in 144 series two packs and one in 96 series two hobby packs, this 19-card set is parallel to the regular set and is similar in design. It is distinguished from the regular set by the refractive quality of the cards. Just like all the other Mantles', cards 15–19 were printed in a 20 percent less quantity than cards 1 through 14.[6]

Mantle Redemption

Randomly inserted at the rate of one in 108 series two packs, this 19–card set features redemption cards that made the collector eligible to win the original card whose reprinted design is portrayed on that redemption card front. Only 76 original Mantle cards were to be given away. The redemption deadline for entering the contest was October 15, 1996.[7]

Masters of the Game

Cards from this 20–card standard–size were randomly inserted into first series hobby packs at a rate of 1 in 18. In addition, every factory set contained two Masters of the Game cards. The cards are numbered with a "MG" prefix in the lower left corner.[8]

Mystery Finest

Randomly inserted in first series packs at a rate of one in 36 hobby and retail packs and one in eight jumbo packs, this 26–card standard–size features a bit of a mystery. The fronts have opaque coating that must be removed before the player can be identified. After the opaque coating is removed, the fronts feature a player photo surrounded by a silver border. The back feature a choice of players along with a corresponding mystery trivia fact. Some of the cards were also issued with refrector fronts.[9]

Mystery Finest Refractors

Parallel to the more common Mystery Finest inserts, these cards differ in their refractive sheen on the card fronts. The cards were randomly inserted into first series packs at a rate of one in 36 jumbo packs and one in 216 hobby and retail packs.[10]

Power Boosters

Randomly inserted into packs, these cards are a metallic version of 25 of the first 26 cards from the basic Topps set. Card numbers 1–6 and 8–12 were issued at a rate of one in every 36 first series retail packs, while numbers 13–26 were issued in hobby packs at a rate of one in 36. Inserted in place of two basic cards, they are printed 28 point stock and the fronts have prismatic foil painting. Card number 7, which is Mickey Mantle in the regular set, was not issued in the Power Booster form.[11]

Profiles

Randomly inserted into series one and two packs at a rate of one in 12 hobby and retail packs and one in six jumbo packs. This 20–card set features 10 players from each league. One card from the first series and two from the second series were also included in all Topps Factory sets. Topps spokesmen Kirby Puckett (AL) and Tony Gwynn (NL) give opinions on players within their league. The fronts feature a player photo set against a silver–foil background. The player's name is on the bottom. A photo of either Gwynn or Puckett as well as the words "Profiles by ...." is on the right. The backs feature a player photo, some career data as well as Gwynn's or Puckett's opinion about the featured player. The cards are numbered with either an "AL or NL" prefix on the back depending on the player's league. The cards are sequenced in alphabetical order within the league.[12]

Road Warriors

The 20–card set was inserted only into series two Walmart packs at a rate of one per pack and featured leading hitters of the majors. The set was sequenced in alphabetical order and numbered with an "RW" prefix.[13]

Team Topps

Parallel from nine selected teams were issued by Topps and distributed in team set form to commemorate their superior performances in 1995. The team sets were issued with the "Big Topps cards" in special packaging for retail stores. Each team set carried an SRP of $4.99. The Cubs, Orioles, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees cards carry a "Team Topps" logo on each card front. The four other teams carry logos on the card fronts as follows: Braves – "World Champions", Dodgers – "35 Seasons", Indians – "1995 American League Champions" and Mariners – "AL West Champions". It's interesting to note that a parallel version of star first basemen Sean Casey's rookie card was included with in the Indians team set.[14]

Team Topps Big

This nine–card set measures approximately 3½ by 5 inches and was distributed only by Walmart. One star player card was packed with each Team Topps set. The fronts feature oversized photos of the Topps cards. The cards are unnumbered.[15]

Wrecking Crew

Randomly inserted in series two hobby packs at a rate of one in 18, this 15–card set honors some of the hottest home run producers in the league. One card from this set was also inserted into Topps Hobby Factory sets. The cards feature color action player photos with foil stamping.[16]

Topps Chrome

The Topps Chrome set was issued in one series totaling 165 cards and features a selection of players from the Topps base set. The four–card packs retailed for $3.00 each. Each chromium card is a replica of its regular version with the exception of the Topps Chrome logo replacing the traditional logo. Included in the set is a Mickey Mantle number 7 Commemorative card and a Cal Ripken, Jr. Tribute card.[17]

Masters of the Game

Randomly inserted into packs at a rate of one in 12, this 20–card set honors players who are masters of their playing positions. The fronts feature color action photography with brilliant color metallization.[18]

Masters of the Game Refractors

Inserted into packs at a rate of one in 36, this 20–card set is parallel to the regular insert set. The difference in design is the refractive quality of the cards.[19]

Refractors

Randomly inserted at the rate of one in every 12 packs, this 165–card set is parallel to the regular Chrome set. The difference in design is the refractive quality of the cards.[20]

Wrecking Crew

Randomly inserted in packs at a rate of one in 24, this 15–card set features baseball's top hitters and is printed in color action photography with brilliant color metallization.[21]

Wrecking Crew Refractors

Inserted into packs at a rate of one in 72, this 15–card set is parallel to the regular insert set. The difference in design is the refractive quality of the cards.[22]

The 1996 Topps Gallery set was issued ine one series totalling 180 cards. The eight–card packs retailed for $3.00 each. This set is divided into five themes: Classics (1–90), New Editions (91–108), Modernists (109–126), Futurists (127–144) and Masters (145–180). Each theme features a different design on the front, but the bulk of the set has full–bleed, color action shots. A Mickey Mantle Masperpiece was inserted into these packs at a rate of one every 48 packs.[23]

Expressionists

Randomly inserted into packs at a rate of one in 24, the 20–card set features leaders printed on triple foil stamped and texture embossed cards. Card backs contain a second photo and narrative about the player.[24]

Randomly inserted into packs at a rate of one in 30, this 15–card set features top photography chronicling baseball's biggest stars and greatest moments from the year before. Each double foil stamped card is printed on 24–point stock with customized designs to accentuate the photography.[25]

Players Private Issue

Randomly inserted in packs at a rate of one in 12, this 180–card parallel set is foil stamped. The backs are sequentially numbered 1–999, with the first 100 cards (1–99) sent to the players and the balance inserted in packs. Topps released a statement at the end of the 1996 season, claiming that they destroyed 400 sets.[26]

Topps Laser

The 1996 Topps Laser set contains 128 regular cards that are found on one of four perfected designs. Each card is etch–foil stamped and laser–cut. The four–card packs retailed for $5.00 each.[27]

Bright Spots

Randomly inserted in packs at a rate of one in every 24, this 16–card set features players considered to be the "bright spots" on their team. The card fronts feature laser die–cutting technologyon a gold foil board with the player photo in color and the player's name in a bronze foil. The back of the card has the player's name and statistics.[28]

Power Cuts

Randomly inserted in packs at a rate of one in 40, this 16–card set features baseball's biggest bats on laser–cut stock polished off with etched silver and gold diffraction foil.[29]

Stadium Stars

Randomly inserted in packs at a rate of one in every 60, this 16–card set features the best and the brightest stars of the baseball diamond. Each highly detailed, laser–sculpted cover folds back to reveal striated silver and gold etched diffraction foil on very card.[30]

Promotional sets

These are sets produced by Topps for special events.

References
  1. "1996 Topps". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  2. "1996 Topps Classic Conforntations". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  3. "1996 Topps Mantle". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  4. "1996 Topps Mantle Case". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  5. "1996 Topps Mantle Finest". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  6. "1996 Topps Mantle Finest Refractors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  7. "1996 Topps Mantle Redemption". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  8. "1996 Topps Masters of the Game". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  9. "1996 Topps Mystery Finest". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  10. "1996 Topps Mystery Finest Refractors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  11. "1996 Topps Power Boosters". beckett.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  12. "1996 Topps Profiles". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  13. "1996 Topps Road Warriors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  14. "1996 Topps Team Topps". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  15. "1996 Topps Team Topps Big". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  16. "1996 Topps Wrecking Crew". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  17. "1996 Topps Chrome". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  18. "1996 Topps Chrome Masters of the Game". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  19. "1996 Topps Chrome Masters of the Game Refractors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  20. "1996 Topps Chrome Refractors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  21. "1996 Topps Chrome Wrecking Crew". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  22. "1996 Topps Chrome Wrecking Crew Refractors". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  23. "1996 Topps Gallery". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  24. "1996 Topps Gallery Expressionists". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  25. "1996 Topps Gallery Photo Gallery". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  26. "1996 Topps Gallery Players Private Issue". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  27. "1996 Topps Laser". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  28. "1996 Topps Laser Bright Spots". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  29. "1996 Topps Laser Power Cuts". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  30. "1996 Topps Laser Stadium Stars". beckett.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.

Sources
  • Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X
  • Lemke, Robert F. (2006). "Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards". KP ; Newton Abbot-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-89689-372-3
  • Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2005). "Beckett Football Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-41-2
  • "Tuff Stuff 2005 Standard Catalog of Football Cards". Krause Publications-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-87349-866-6
  • Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2004). "Beckett Basketball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-37-4
  • "Tuff Stuff 2003 Standard Catalog of Basketball Cards". Krause Publications-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-87349-474-1
  • Beckett, James (2004). "Beckett hockey card price guide & alphabetical checklist". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-36-6
  • Jordan, Todd (2007). "The Encyclopedia of Non-sport & Entertainment trading cards". Non-Sport Update-Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ISBN 0-9794651-0-9
  • Murphy, Mark (2002). "Unopened Pack, Wrapper & Display Box Guide". Mark Murphy-Stamford, Connecticut
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