The 2023 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball collection, set to release in the week of December 13, brings a festive touch to the annual retro-themed series. Continuing the tradition of the Heritage line, this year’s edition features hobby boxes containing 24 packs, each with nine cards. Inside each box, collectors can expect to find an autograph or relic card, as well as a box loader card placed atop the packs.
The base set of this collection mirrors the classic 1974 Topps design and extends the standard 500-card Heritage set released earlier in the year. It includes a high number set ranging from card number 501 to 700, with an additional 25 short prints (numbered 701-725) that collectors will eagerly seek to complete their set. This set will feature rookies who made their debut during the season and players who transferred to new teams.
Adding a unique touch to the collection, the base card parallels include options such as Black Bordered (limited to 50, available in hobby boxes only), Flip Stock (limited to 5, also available in hobby boxes only), and various Chrome Parallels featuring 50 players. These Chrome Parallels include Refractor (numbered to 673), Silver Bordered (numbered to 373), Black Bordered (numbered to 73), Gold Bordered (numbered to 5, available in hobby boxes only), and Superfractor (numbered to 1). A Hot Box Refractor will also be available. Additionally, there are base card variations like the Missing Signature, Throwback Uniform, Action Image (available in hobby boxes only), and Team Name and Color Swap (available in hobby boxes only).
Topps has hinted at more surprises related to the base set, heightening the anticipation for collectors. Alongside the base set, collectors can also find 50 Mini Base Card Variations, each sequentially numbered to 100, as well as traded/signed stamped variations.
The insert sets in this collection offer a diverse range of themes, including Rookie Performers featuring 15 first-year players, Now and Then pairing highlights from 1973 and 2022, Combo Cards with thematic pairings, Award Winners highlighting performances from 2021, 1974 Highlights showcasing iconic moments and players from the 1974 season, The Hammer celebrating Hank Aaron’s home run record in April 1974, and 1974 Topps Baseball Stamps, nodding to the original version and featuring both modern stars and era-specific players.
The autograph section of the collection starts with Real One Autographs, featuring on-card signatures in blue ink. Red Ink versions, also known as “Special Edition,” will be numbered to 73 or less. A new addition to the High Number series is the 1974 MLB Highlights Autographs, capturing moments from the 1973 MLB All-Star Game, signed by the featured player, and numbered to 99 or less.
Relic and Autographed Relic cards continue to be a standard feature in the Heritage series. The Clubhouse Collection relics include game-used uniform and bat piece cards, along with autographed versions numbered to 25 or less. Gold parallels of the non-autographed Clubhouse cards will be numbered to 99, with 1/1 Patch parallels also available for both signed and unsigned cards. Collectors can also look forward to serial numbered Dual, Triple, and Quad Relics, with 1/1 patch parallels included. For those seeking unique and rare finds, the checklist also features Cut Signature cards of former big leaguers and 70s celebrities, all as 1/1s.
Exclusive to Hobby boxes, the box loaders in the 2023 Heritage High Number collection will include one of four options: 1974 Topps Oversized (oversized versions of the 2022 Base cards), 1974 Topps Puzzles (paying homage to the 1974 Topps puzzles with current stars), 1974 Topps Deckle Edge Baseball, and 1974 Topps Originals (authentic 1973 Topps cards with a foil stamp added).
In summary, the 2023 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball collection offers a comprehensive and nostalgically themed set that combines the charm of the 1974 Topps designs with modern players and current season highlights. With its array of base cards, parallels, variations, inserts, autographs, relics, and box loaders, this collection is sure to appeal to both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the hobby.
