Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Gypsy Queen MLB cards (hobby box)

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The box: 2019 Topps Gypsy Queen baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 25 (24 standard, one Chrome topper pack)
Cards per pack: 8 per standard, three per Chrome
Cards in this box: 195
Base set completion: 
177 of 300 (59 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Juan Soto, Ozzie Albies, David Price, Rhys Hoskins, Kris Bryant, Albert Pujols, Jose Altuve, Corey Seager, Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Buster Pence, Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Gleyber Torres, Alex Bregman

Rookie Cards (24) – Jeff McNeil, Kolby Allard, Michael Kopech, Kyle Tucker, Justus Sheffield, Josh Rogers, Aramis Garcia, Chris Shaw, Jeffrey Springs, Dawel Lugo, Williams Astudillo, Cedric Mullins, Austin Dean, Luis Urias, Luis Guillorme, Heath Fillmyer, Taylor Ward, Pablo Lopez, Kevin Kramer, Ryan Borucki, Dakota Hudson, Ryan O'Hearn, Trevor Richards, Brandon Lowe, Jake Cave

Insert/short-print cards: 16 (gallery of these and more below)
Chrome (bonus pack cards) (3) – Nolan Arenado, Jean Segura, Jacob deGrom
Fortune Teller (4) – Kyle Tucker, Juan Soto, Kris Bryant, Christian Yelich
Tarot of The Diamond (3) – Edwin Diaz, Xander Bogaerts, Edwin Encarnacion
Missing Nameplate parallels (1) – Luis Severino
GQ Logo Swap parallels (1) – Dansby Swanson
Jackie Robinson Day variations (1) – Whit Merrifield
Short-prints (Nos. 301-320) (1) – Gary Carter
Indigo parallels (1) – Carlos Carrasco (/250)
Black & White parallels (1) – Xander Bogaerts (/50)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Autographs (1) – Mike Foltynewicz
Indigo Autographs (1) – Kyle Tucker (/150)

What's Buzz-worthy: Gypsy Queen is a colorful retro brand that's improved over past years and is one that seems clearly built for hobby box-breaking as a few types of variations can be found roughly one per box and that's what we see here. Without those few cards? Not a very flashy break at all -- and it's not all that flashy with them, either. The Chrome box-toppers are perhaps big highlights this year but this box was a snoozer pack. I'll take last year's toppers over this. The rarer pulls in this one include the Jackie Robinson variation (one in 141 packs) and the Indigo auto (one in 174). The rest are found one in every couple boxes or less. Together, it's not a bad break. Without them? Pretty dry -- and that's what I got in my previous mega box break here. The Black & White parallels are striking and I could use more of those, but the rest of the variations, while simplified making them easy to find, aren't that striking. But at least you can figure them out. (Hint: Look at the color of the type for the Robinsons.) ... As said before, this one follows the format of previous years for sure but it still didn't feel as meaty -- hobby boxes just deliver more volume and two autos. Those missing minis from past years would add to the chase here but they seem long gone from a few years ago. The colors here are rich but the simplicity found on the backs seems lacking -- this is a brand that could use some simple touches like modern stat lines to give it a modern-vintage feel that I think it's working toward with its rich colors and new inclusions such as hobby Chrome box-topper packs. (The number size on the card backs is a fail ... or my eyes are not working as well as they should these days.) Hobby is the way to go with this one. There are some really solid potential finds here but you'll have to do some ripping or have some luck to land them.

Product Grade: B+
Box Grade: A- (thanks to a couple of rarer finds)
Fun Grade: B

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