From goddam's link... Topps conceded the images were purposefully superimposed in the new set to amuse collectors, who are encouraged to study other cards in the set with a sharp eye. I'd read they found out about it when it was too late to change it. But the above quote confirms what Ufez said. Kind of makes a mockery of what we as children once held so dear. (Too melodramatic?) Oh well, I guess they need to do something to stay relevant. Even if it is something as cheesy as this. People are still paying triple digits on eBay. There are some really dumb people in this world. (For more on catering to lowest common denominator to stay relevant, reference: "Povich, Maury")
I don't know. To me, the baseball card business looks like an industry that is correcting itself in all the best ways. Not so long ago, everyone was moaning that the industry was moving away from the public's chosen market for the product -- children -- and instead was overrun by adult "investors." Even the children who remained involved put the cards in plastic sleeves -- treating them as commodities rather than something you flip, trade, or jam in the spokes of your bike. Who liked that? Then the market became oversaturated. Not too long ago, if you went to a department store and saw their display of baseball cards, it looked like Walt Disney threw up. There were anonymous packs jammed in with Topps and Donruss and Fleer and Upper Deck and on and on. "Special Issue" cards were anything but. Plus, there wasn't a piece of gum in sight. Now, Donruss and Fleer are gone. The market's oversaturation cooled the jets of most of the grown-ups in it for the big bucks (current e-bay craziness notwithstanding), and Topps has gone back to a concerted effort of marketing to kids. So what if they're telling you that some of the candy bars have gold foil instead of pretending it was a mistake. At least they're coming clean and not conspiring to hike values with unannounced "accidents." Hey, if nothing else, at least they put the gum back in the packs.
Hey, if nothing else, at least they put the gum back in the packs. "Ow. I cut my cheek." Lighten up, everybody. Seems like a fun idea. No one is burning down a church. Speaking of which, if anyone asks, I was at your house last night.
