The baseball card hobby saw an exciting development in 2017 with the launch of Heritage from Topps. Heritage baseball cards have developed a strong following among collectors for preserving the nostalgia and vintage stylistic elements of the original 1951 and 1952 Topps sets. When Topps announced a new Heritage series would be released in 2017 after a decade without a reprint set, collectors’ anticipation grew tremendously.
The 2017 Topps Heritage series brought back the timeless look of 1950s-era cardboard with updated players and all-new designs. What collectors found inside the packs and boxes of Heritage ’17 helped solidify it as one of the most successful and beloved releases in recent memory. Right out of the gate, the design and photographic elements selected for Heritage cards paid homage to Topps’ earliest efforts in the hobby. Vivid team logo borders framed each player portrait with a classic feel. Heritage ’17 cards had sturdy stock with rounded edges that replicated the cardboard fans first handled over 60 years ago. Various parallels like Minis, MIniHEROs, and Canvas parallel inserts in each Heritage box brought new possibilities for collecting top athletes.
Several Heritage designs beautifully showcased individual teams and paid tribute to franchise histories. The Cubs ‘W’ logo border treatment on their Heritage cards paid respect to the famed ‘W’ logo Cubs uniforms from the late 1940s. For the Dodgers, a retro script wordmark highlighted their classic uniforms from the same era. Each team’s stylized Heritage borders spotlighted the character and tradition of each MLB franchise. Inside the packs, collectors found these timeless designs wrapped around the likenesses of today’s biggest stars like Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw. Having modern players depicted in such a nostalgic style felt like a tangible link to baseball’s rich past.
The photographer selection for 2017 Topps Heritage cards also tipped the cap to how Topps originally shot its players back in the early 1950s. Many of the headshots had a candid, action style reminiscent of the photographer UPI/Bill Doak, who famously shot for Topps’ first issues. Heritage ’17 brought back that classic, loose posing feel with many players snapped mid-motion or laughing. It was as if collectors had traveled back in time. Seeing Giancarlo Stanton flashing his pearly whites in mid-swing or Kris Bryant offering a toothy grin brought today’s game literally face-to-face with the pioneers of the past through Heritage’s photography.
Topps achieved a stunning balance of modernity and nostalgia with the checklist designs found throughout Heritage Series One and Series Two. Highlight cards were infused with historical significance for the collector. The Heritage High Numbers paralleled Topps’ original 1951 card numbering by featuring players #349 and up. Heritage Legends paid tribute to baseball icons through unique artistic tributes versus typical headshots. Several timely Heritage design choices resonated profoundly with fans as well. A special Sandy Koufax 75th Birthday card celebrated the lefty legend’s diamond achievements, while an In Memoriam insert line honored recently lost stars like Tony Taylor. These special cards spotlighted not just the 2017 rosters, but also cemented Heritage as a tribute to baseball history as a whole.
Another major coup for Topps Heritage in 2017 became the massive selection of inserts spread throughout Series One and Series Two. From ‘52 Topps-inspired Minis highlighting top prospects to retro-bordered Team Cards promoting each MLB franchise, Heritage inserts fed every collector niche. The hugely popular Moments & Milestones insert set recreated iconic snapshots from the game’s past using modern photography. Heritage Highlights and Record Breakers gave a statistical spin to Heritage’s retro look. Even hobby-exclusive parallels like Heritage Canvas brought welcome newness. With such variety, collectors enjoyed pursuing different targets alongside the base roster cards each time they ripped packs. The diverse inserts kept the Heritage checklist fresh all year long.
While the designs, photography and inserts delivered for Heritage collectors, the robust checklist construction deserves praise as well. Topps wisely balanced retro fan-favorites with today’s stars. Each Heritage Series One and Series represented every MLB team through a mix of household names and rising talents. Parallels and inserts incorporated additional players at every turn. Even prospects earned Heritage showcase through inserts like the ‘52 Minis subset. With such depth, builders could construct compelling flagship sets, chase favorite players across parallels or simply enjoy the surprise of each new pack. The breadth and balance of Heritage’s 2017 offerings ensured that something exciting lurked inside every pack or box for collectors new and old.
Lastly, the enthusiastic collector reception and aftermarket appreciation for 2017 Topps Heritage cemented its legacy. Heritage quickly became one of the most sought-after modern releases. Excitement circulated freely across social media each new Heritage release date. Facebook groups buzzed with latest pulls and trade threads blossomed. On the resale market, Heritage fetched strong prices that rivaled or surpassed other flagship products. Early Clayton Kershaw rookies or Juan Soto Minis sustained four-figure tags. Heritage was not only a critical success acclaimed for its craft and tribute to baseball past – it proved a viable financial product as well that collectors valued holding long-term. This dual accomplishment of tapping nostalgia while respecting the modern collecting marketplace set a high-water mark for Topps that proved hard to surpass in the following years.
In revitalizing the beloved Heritage concept for a new generation after a decade away, Topps’ 2017 release hit a grand slam. From the carefully recreated designs that channeled the earliest cardboard to the diverse content and player selection within, Heritage captured what fans love about baseball’s cherished history. By bringing tomorrow’s stars together with yesterday’s legends through photography and carefully designed inserts, Topps bridged eras in a singular tribute to America’s favorite pastime. Still highly sought-after years later, the success and enduring appeal of 2017 Topps Heritage solidified it as one of the crowning modern achievements in the traditions of our hobby. Its nostalgic fingerprints will likely influence baseball card design and collecting joy for generations to come.
