The 2007 Topps Finest baseball card release was one of the most highly anticipated high-end card releases of that year. Topps Finest had built up a reputation as one of the premier inserts and parallels in the hobby due to the incredibly sharp photography, hallmark refractor parallel inserts, and desirable rookie cards of future stars. The 2007 edition lived up to the hype and is still considered one of the best Finest releases of all-time by many collectors and investors.
Some of the key storylines and highlights from the 2007 Topps Finest baseball card set included:
Star Power – The base set checklist was loaded with superstars and future Hall of Famers like Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, and Johan Santana. Collectors knew any card from those players would hold value for years.
Rookie Class – Top prospects like Evan Longoria, Troy Tulowitzki, Max Scherzer, Colby Rasmus and Daniel Bard had collectors scrambling to pull their shiny refractors. Many have since become perennial All-Stars, further driving interest in their rookie cards years later.
Parallels Galore – In addition to the highly sought after refractor parallel inserts, Finest also included four different color parallel insert sets – Blue, Red, Orange, and Green. The odds of pulling each parallel color out of a pack increased the rarer the parallel, making the Green parallels extremely hard to find. Refractors and color parallels of stars and rookies could fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars graded and preserved in mint condition.
Autograph Chase – The autograph checklist included Pujols, Jeter, Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Tom Glavine. Pulled autos were one-per-case hits that could really add up in value over time. Even base autographs of burgeoning stars like Evan Longoria or Max Scherzer became hot commodities.
Finest Moments – The insert set paid tribute to milestone accomplishments and special career moments from players like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina and more. These inserts captured some of the most memorable performances and were popular with collectors.
Additional Inserts – Other inserts like Finest Flair, Canvas, Stadium Club, and Threads gave collectors various photography styles and parallels to collect throughout the base set and special chase cards.
So what made the 2007 Topps Finest design so iconic and memorable compared to previous years? The photography and parallel inserts were certainly top-notch as always, but some standout features included:
Distinctive Border – The asymmetrical border framing each player photo popped more than prior designs. The blue bursting waves added motion and depth.
Finest Font – The metallic foil “Finest” lettering stamped across each card exuded luxury and high-end status.
Refractors Glisten – The refractor parallels truly shone under light, drawing in collectors to the allure and investment potential of hit cards. Green parallels could run $500+ raw at the time.
Canvas Feels Artistic – The Canvas insert set photos were borderless and printed on heavy, textured stock, giving them a true artistic aesthetic that collectors loved.
Additional Insert Variety – With inserts like Finest Flair featuring player headshots on a glittery background, Stadium Club with old-timey uniforms, and Threads showcasing unique uniforms, there was something for every collector specialty.
In the short-run after release, boxes of 2007 Topps Finest flew off shelves as the excitement was at a fever pitch. A retail box cost around $100-150 but within a year boxes could be resold for $300-500 still sealed as interest grew. Singles also exploded in the secondary market – base cards of stars doubled or tripled in value quickly. But it’s in the long-run appreciation where 2007 Finest has really shined.
Fifteen years later, the star rookies and parallel hits from 2007 Finest are true collector gems. An Evan Longoria refractor rookie PSA 10 just sold at auction for over $15,000. Color parallels of stars like Chipper Jones and Albert Pujols routinely sell for thousands. Even base cards of future Hall of Famers consistently sell for several hundred dollars graded mint.
For modern investors, 2007 Topps Finest established itself as one of the most valuable releases in the past couple decades. The photography, inserts, and star power combined to create lasting cardboard assets. While boxes today sell for thousands, even common base cards hold significant value. Its reputation has only grown stronger with time. For those who ripped packs or built the set in 2007, it’s proven to be one of the best long-term sports card investments they could have made. The 2007 Topps Finest release is certainly one of the most memorable and investment-worthy in the hobby’s history.
In summary, 2007 Topps Finest captured lightning in a bottle by featuring star-studded photography on luxurious designs with highly collectible parallel inserts and rookie cards of future stars. While expensive at the time, it has given investors and collectors who participated huge returns over the past 15 years. The combination of factors came together to create one of the most seminal modern releases in the industry. Its legacy and collectibility will surely continue to grow for decades to come.
