Buzz Break: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection

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The boxes: 2021 Topps Mickey Mantle Collection (five boxes)
First Buzz Preview & Checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 5
Cards per lot: 25
Base set completion: 
23 of 50 (46 percent)
Duplicates: 1

Inserts: 1 (everything in gallery ... click for a closer look)
Yellow parallels (1) – 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle (/75)

What's Buzz-worthy: This recent online release celebrates the cardboard career of MLB icon Mickey Mantle with new reprints of his original in-career Topps cards from 1952-1969 along with cards that never were from 1951 and the missing years where Bowman had him locked into deals as well as more recent years after his No. 7 was "un-retired" from the Topps flagship release and he ended up with Panini America. It's a simple one with five cards per pack for $9.99 with parallel cards and other chase pieces (see preview link above with checklist) dropping one in five for starters. I landed a parallel with my batch of five packs and a couple of cards that were labeled as being SP years on that checklist but I can pretty much guarantee they meant variations and I don't believe I was that lucky. (The 1969 card noting white letters should be obvious while the others I'm not sure about -- whether just rarer in the mix or variations.) The collation here was smooth -- I got just one dupe -- and a good chunk of the stuff from earlier years including the 1951 and 1952 cards that should perhaps carry a little more interest than others. It's simple but I think this one works as the parallels will make some people some money for sure and the hits -- autos and cut autos -- will likely be in big demand as well from those who want to build a master set despite the rare stuff here. It's simple and the original price was cheap -- but they went fast and do have a relative cap on boxes made with the numbered stuff. All in all, I like the simplicity and the concept and there's a good chase here, too, without the starting price from Topps being in the hundreds or it being a membership-exclusive release.

Product Grade: A-
Lot Grade: B+ (delivered one parallel as promised)
Fun Grade: A (original price of $9.99 a pack, while still a little high for five cards, is a good sight in today's landscape)

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