Thinking Clearly with 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs
Give collectors something that's different and attractive and they'll chase it. Take the 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs. Their combination of limited availability, classic designs and plastic card stock have made them some of the most standout baseball cards of the year. As a result, collectors are snatching them up. And they're paying a premium to do so.
Shop for 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs.
Just as the name implies, the 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs use classic rookie cards as their basis. Printed on clear acetate, a window is left for the autograph, which can be seen on both sides of the card. The clear look also makes the blue signatures really pop.
Card backs do not mimic the classic look. Instead, they come with an original design that includes a short blurb.
2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs are serial numbered to 25 copies. The checklist includes ten of the biggest names in the hobby, covering several generations. Two of the biggest names in the set, Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr, are redemptions.
As always, the definition of a rookie is somewhat debatable on at least one card. Josh Hamilton is pictured on his 2007 Topps Baseball card. Although his rookie year, his first fully licensed cards date back to 1999. But with the MLBPA's new rookie card rules that were instituted 2006, it was one under their definition. Also, Willie Mays had his rookie in 1951 Bowman Baseball. Although a redemption, Topps released a mock-up of Mays using the 1952 Topps Baseball design. The final card may change, though. Plus, the 1952 Topps design may lend itself better to the overall look of the acetate set.
Early 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs sales show collectors are willing to pay more than they might for similarly numbered autographs. For example, Cal Ripken Jr. cards are hovering around $300-325. His 2012 Topps Tier One Silver parallel, also numbered to 25, topped out at $200 and has been drifting closer to $150-175 range.
It's been a similar scenario with Chipper Jones. His Crowd Pleaser Silver Autograph #/25 have averaged about $200. 2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs card has averaged $350.
2012 Topps Tier One Baseball Clear Rookie Reprint Autographs Gallery
CRA-CJ Chipper Jones
CRA-CR Cal Ripken Jr.
CRA-CS C.C. Sabathia
CRA-DM Don Mattingly
CRA-EB Ernie Banks
CRA-JH Josh Hamilton
CRA-KG Ken Griffey Jr. - Redemption
CRA-MC Miguel Cabrera
CRA-RS Ryne Sandberg
CRA-WM Willie Mays - Redemption
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Indeed, they are quite attractive. But it should be noted though that the designs aren’t exactly original as mentioned. See Topps Tek c. 1998-2000. Those were also printed on the same type of clear see-through plastic card stock.