The 2022 edition of Topps’ Allen & Ginter baseball trading cards brought back the nostalgia and unique inserts that collectors have come to love from the annual set. While the base cards feature current MLB players, Allen & Ginter has always strayed from the norm by incorporating interesting extras beyond just the standard baseball cards.
This year’s blaster box offered collectors 10 baseball cards along with 2 additional bonus items per pack. The standard issue packs contained 7 cards for a total of 42 cards in each sealed wax box. As with past years, the design on the front of the 2022 blaster pays homage to the classic tobacco era look that Allen & Ginter was known for in its original run from 1887-1891.
Inside collectors could find base cards showcasing today’s top players, memorable retired greats, and even rookie cards for up-and-coming young stars. Nolan Arenado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge were some of the most sought-after modern players featured. Legends like Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver, and Greg Maddux received base cards as well to represent past eras. Bobby Witt Jr. and Adley Rutschman rookie cards provided a look at future potential superstars.
In addition to the traditional baseball player cards, Allen & Ginter is renowned for its diverse inserts that take collectors down unexpected avenues. Some of the most popular parallel sets in the 2022 blasters included:
“T206” wood border cards recreating the iconic tobacco era design. Superstar parallels like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani were big hits.
“Golden Moments” highlighting amazing accomplishments across multiple sports in gold foil. A Lakers’ Jerry West card honored his Mr. Clutch persona.
“In Action” capturing iconic action shots of athletes in their element. A spectacular Ken Griffey Jr. leaping catch drew oohs and aahs.
“Famous Firsts” highlighting pioneering people and innovations on their initial steps to greatness in a rainbow foil design. The Wright Brothers’ initial flight card soared.
“Mascots” featuring the beloved costumed characters from teams. Mr. Met and the Phillie Phanatic brought smiles.
“Mini” 1/1 parallel inserts at 1/8th the size of a standard card to capture the tiniest of details. Mickey Mantle’s pure swing was magnified.
“Hobby” inserts celebrating the collecting community itself with in-jokes and nods to the hobby. “Relic” cards with swatches of game-used materials added a memorabilia element.
Allen & Ginter blasters also contained various non-sports inserts that collectors eagerly searched packs for. These offbeat bonuses are what truly set the set apart. Examples included:
“Landmarks” highlighting iconic structures and locations around the world. The Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China postcards received rave reviews.
“Nature” showcasing plants, animals, insects, and other wonders from our natural world. A majestic bald eagle soared above forests.
“Art” recreating masterpieces from history in card form. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s Starry Night were miniature works of art.
“History” capturing important people and events through time. A card honoring Rosa Parks’ civil rights stand garnered praise.
“Science” highlighting innovations and discoveries that pushed boundaries. The card unveiling the first color photograph awed collectors.
“Literature” paying tribute to beloved books and authors. A card featuring To Kill a Mockingbird and Harper Lee stirred memories.
“Movies” spotlighting iconic films and the stars that made them. Marilyn Monroe glowed on a Some Like It Hot card.
While base cards and inserts provided variety, the true chase for collectors were the highly limited parallel cards only found in certain blasters. Among the most coveted were:
Rainbow Foil parallels with brilliant colors that numbered under 10 copies. A Tom Seaver pulled a premium.
Gold Foil versions that reached the single digits. A Babe Ruth struck it rich.
Autograph cards with signatures from athletes, artists, authors and more that were 1/1 rarities. A Hank Aaron auto commanded top dollar.
Jersey Number parallel cards pairing legends with their uniform numbers in short prints. A No. 5 Willie Mays delighted.
Breaking Allen & Ginter blasters was always a fun surprise for collectors, never knowing what unique piece of history, art, or memorabilia might be uncovered in each pack. While the base cards provided the standard baseball coverage, it was the unexpected inserts across multiple genres that truly captured imaginations and brought the set to life. For both casual fans and serious collectors, 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter once again delivered a nostalgic trip down memory lane and then some.
