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2010 Heritage? No thanks, I'm full

This is a pre-emptive strike to anyone who asks: No, I am not collecting 2010 Heritage. I'll take your Dodgers, but that's it.

This is not a new concept around here. I said last year that I've had it with Heritage. And I re-emphasized the point when I said I'm sick of retro sets not named Allen or Ginter.

But since Heritage is officially back on the scene, I thought I'd mention it again.

It's weird actually. I don't broadcast all the other sets I'm not collecting. It's understood that I have no intention of staring at a full binder of SP or Topps Attax. But Heritage is different. Someone like me -- a set builder who is totally interested in baseball and card-collecting history -- is supposed to be into this set.

And I was. But not anymore. At least not until around 2021 when the tribute to the 1971 set comes out. And definitely 2024 when the '75 tribute set goes live. (Yes, I'm assuming a lot there).

Like I mentioned before, Heritage takes too much effort to collect. Way too many short-prints. There's still a 2008 set in my residence that needs finishing. And I've lost interest in seeing current players in current fashions on designs from the '50s and '60s. It just doesn't look right to me anymore.

But this year there is an additional reason: I think the 1961 Topps set -- which 2010 Heritage is paying homage to -- is duller than a night locked in the Craft Barn. It might be the dullest mass-produced set on record. Look at Larry Sherry's face on that 1961 card. See? He think it's dull, too.

Now, I've heard what some people have said. There was some sort of minimalist artistic thing going on during the early '60s. Goody for the minimalists. I don't care. From my perspective in 2010, the design is as boring as ice dancing. A card's look has to appeal to me for me to be interested, regardless of what was going on in the world at the time.

There's the back of ol' Mr. Sherry. That's what you'll be staring at with 2010 Heritage.

Invigorating, huh?

The truth is, I'm not crazy about most of the Topps sets from the 1960s. For me, they're a real step back from the 1950s sets. My favorite sets of the 1960s are 1965 and 1967. Especially '67. 1960 is cool because it's horizontal. I used to like '62, but that's worn off. After that there are some real hurtin' looks in there. 1961 and 1968 are two of my least favorite vintage sets ever. And 1964 and 1966 do little for me. 1963 is only good for blazing the trail for 1983 and 1969 could have been good but is plagued by blacked-out caps and crew cuts.

That doesn't bode well for me and Heritage for the next decade, does it? Heritage could sweeten the deal by cutting down on the short-prints, but I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.

About the only nice thing I can see in the 2010 set is at least you'll get to see some background in this year's set. The last three Heritage sets had very little photo background. That is definitely a plus.

(By the way, the rookie card logo combined with the rookie star logo that was used in 1961 is going to be a bit awkward).

Those of you who remain Heritage devotees, good for you. I'm with you in spirit, rooting you on. It's still a better choice than a lot of card sets out there. And I still sort of like the concept. I'll definitely buy some random packs to get an idea for the cards. Save me your Dodgers.

Otherwise, keep the rest for yourselves. No more Heritage for me. I'm stuffed.

Comments

madding said…
I feel the same about the design and am not going to collect it either... yet. I won't turn down the cards, either, and I might buy a pack or two, but I really need to focus on finishing a few other earlier sets before I go after something I am less interested in than other things that are still out there for me.
Madding said the key word...focus. That is something I've been lacking since...I was born.
deal said…
I will also be doing my minimal collecting of 2010 Heritage, HOWEVER I am looking forward to the possibility of a 2011 Heritage with those wood frames. That is a set I will seriously consider building.
GCA said…
There would be more motivation for Heritage year to year if the inserts (and as you said, the short print count) would change AT ALL between sets. But they don't. It's the same exact thing for every year. Since the early 2K's, Flashbacks, Then & Now, News Flashbacks, and New Age Performers. And a crapload of short prints that will leave the last half dozen on your want list for years. Bleah.
I gave up on trying to build the Topps Heritage sets as well. WAY too many short prints. I just collect the Tigers cards.
Paul Hadsall said…
I'm not very excited about this year's Heritage set either. The 1961 design just isn't very interesting.

I will, being a complete sucker, collect the Mets anyway.
Ben G said…
I was about to write a long comment on why I love Heritage but don't collect it. I turned it into a blog post instead

http://www.picturecardsandbubblegum.com/post/409318373/topps-heritage-is-out-and-i-wont-be-collecting-it
Eggrocket said…
30 years from now card collecting might be dead because Topps markets to the past so much. (Cards Your Mom Threw Out? Like there are 8-year olds out there that are still mourning the loss of that 2009 Bowman Chrome Pujols they once held in their grubby little hands). Heritage plays into this concept. It's a strange hybrid.

Having said that, I'm one of the few people (apparently) who actually LIKED the '61 design. So clean and pure. Full of structure. It's everyone playing by the rules. I will (like you guys) get a few this year and (unlike you guys) LIKE them. But there's no way I can afford to build the set. I'll work on the 2010 Topps base and keep chipping away at a couple vintage sets I'm chasing.
Anonymous said…
This set is very ugly, I know that. But the list of players that topps put in for the mets is awesome, almost all of my favorites (who are smaller name players) are in a set for once! ( THings can get very slow when your favorite players are in 2 sets all year!)
dfwbuck2 said…
there's a run of 1950's cards on topps giveaway site right now! i only saved one code for a moment like this...i got a 1955 Chuck Stobbs...