07 Topps Sterling Baseball - Your thoughts?

[therock3849]

2007 Topps Sterling Baseball – Likes and Dislikes
I don’t know about everyone else, but I really enjoy watching box breaks before I buy any kind of product. The breaks give me a great idea as to what to expect or not expect in each box or product. A friend of mine recently broke a case of 2007 Topps Sterling Baseball, and I have included some likes and dislikes of the product below. These articles can be very valuable to any dealer or collector who is thinking about investing in this or any other high end product.

Let's face it...some high end products are worth the money dealers and collectors are willing to put down, but other products are not. A great example of one high end product that is worth putting down the money for is Sterling. My friend did ok on the product but did not pull a 1/1. Those individuals who are interested in Sterling should realize that case breaks vary. Some cases are outstanding, and others are ok.

One great characteristic about this product is that Topps GUARANTEES a Bonds and Mantle box, which is something many other companies and products do not do(Guaranteeing certain items in a product). I think Topps definitely makes a statement in this product by guaranteeing certain players/boxes, which is one of the reasons I really like this product. Another reason I like this product is because the memorabilia cards are several swatches instead of one, which gives variation to the cards. Someone looking for Barry Bonds, for example, could buy a low numbered jersey/bat/patch auto if they wanted to instead of having to go out and buy four different individual cards each with a single swatch or auto. Why not have them all on one card? Collectors of Bonds and Mantle will also be chasing this product very highly, because you have a 20% chance to pull one of their boxes within a case.

Another great characteristic about the product is the stunning appearance of the cards, and the number of variations and parallels that can be found in the product. Most of the hits in the boxes are very low numbered, which makes the cards rare and increases their value when several people are looking to buy the same cards. The patches and jumbo patches which fall one per case are also incredibly well done.

One suggestion I would have to improve Sterling would be to include different players in the boxes. If I am looking for a box of Sterling because I have the opportunity to pull a Tom Seaver box, and when I open the box, it says Barry Bonds, I will be disappointed, because I was looking for Seaver. Some dealers and websites do let you know who is on the box, so that does make life a little easier. Adding the mystery pack to the box is a plus, because you can get two different players in a box instead of one.

The other suggestion I would have for next year would be to give a second memorabilia card or auto. Like I said before, dealers and collectors are paying 300 a box, and adding a second memorabilia/auto might entice more people to buy the product. This might be a reason why some collectors and dealers prefer National Pastime or UD Premier over Sterling. These other products give you several different memorabilia and/or autos instead of one.

All in all I think 2007 Sterling Baseball is an outstanding product, and has great investment potential. I would like to hear from all of you who have opened this product. What have you found in opening your boxes/cases? Are you satisfied with the product or think it is too expensive?