The 2023 Topps Archives baseball card set is one of the most anticipated card releases each year from Topps. As the name implies, Topps Archives pays homage to classic designs from years past. For 2023, Topps is digging back to the 1970s for inspiration with designs from 1972 and 1979.
1972 was a pivotal year for Topps designs. It marked the debut of the iconic design featuring a player photo centered on the card with their name and team name arched along the top. This clean, simple design became the standard look for Topps baseball cards through much of the 1970s and 1980s. The 2023 Topps Archives set will feature cards that precisely replicate the look and feel of the original 1972 issues, including the green border that surrounded most of the player photos that year. Fans of vintage designs are sure to love seeing modern players depicted on the classic 1972 template.
In addition to the 1972 design, Topps Archives 2023 will also include cards patterned after the 1979 design. While still retaining Topps’ traditional look, the 1979 set featured some subtle changes like a thinner border around the player photo and team name now listed straight across the bottom as opposed to arched at the top. 1979 also saw Topps begin color-coding teams by division on the borders. The National League East had green borders while the NL West was yellow, for example. Topps Archives will faithfully re-create these 1979 nuances for an authentic vintage experience.
Like all Topps Archives sets, the 2023 edition will include parallel and short-printed “hit” cards to add to the excitement of the chase. Topps Archives Silver Pack Parallels will feature a silver border around the player photo. The Gold Parallels upgrade to a gold border. Topps also has a tradition of including 1/1 printing plate autograph cards in Archives sets. These ultra-rare cards consist of the printing plate used to create the base card, signed by the player featured. Other hit possibilities include autographed jersey and memorabilia cards of today’s top players.
When it comes to the checklist, Topps Archives aims to include the biggest names in the game for its vintage designs. For 2023, expect to see cards of superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, and Juan Soto among many others. Rookies will also be represented, giving collectors a chance at vintage-style cards of players just starting their MLB careers. Topps Archives typically includes around 300 base cards plus hits and parallels, so set builders will have their work cut out to complete this premium release.
Secondary market demand for Topps Archives is consistently strong given the limited print runs and nostalgia factor of the vintage designs. Completed sets and especially hit cards often carry substantial premiums over their initial pack odds. For example, a 1/1 printing plate from 2022 currently lists for over $2,000 on auction sites. Even base rookies can sell for $50-100 or more a piece for stars like Wander Franco. With its 1972 and 1979 templates, the 2023 Topps Archives release looks poised to continue capturing the imagination of collectors both old and new. Between the authentic retro designs, star-studded checklist and coveted hit cards, it’s easy to see why Topps Archives remains one of the most anticipated card sets each year.
