Topps Living Set

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by BH34

#241- CC Sabathia - Print Run: 2825
#242 - Touki Toussaint - Print Run: 2267
#243 - Maikel Franco - Print Run: 2210

Two of three below previous low of 2278.

#2210 Or Less.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

Two of three below previous low of 2278.

#2210 Or Less.

How long until we see the first print run below 2000?

Topps is really running this into the ground by including so many commons & 2nd/3rd tier rookies in the checklist, especially considering that the cards are prints of original artwork and cost $5+ each.

Or to put it another way, name any other product in which someone would be willing to pay $5+ for a base card of Maikel Franco.

[Americards]

Originally Posted by mfw13

How long until we see the first print run below 2000?

Topps is really running this into the ground by including so many commons & 2nd/3rd tier rookies in the checklist, especially considering that the cards are prints of original artwork and cost $5+ each.

Or to put it another way, name any other product in which someone would be willing to pay $5+ for a base card of Maikel Franco.

as soon as 22 people buy 10 less than they are now

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by Americards

as soon as 22 people buy 10 less than they are now

Good maths!

[mwheeler27]

Once it dips below 2,000...I'm getting back in!

[kidfan9]

Really excited to see Wagner make the set!

[okumeister]

Ms. Seto is getting mentally hammered with some of the criticisms that she is getting on the internet/SNS.
She posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying that a “zombie” comment made on her Wagner work (not sure what that is about, but I suppose someone made fun of the art by using that word on twitter or something), as well as some nasty comments she have received towards her work till now, and all the fake autos of her that have come up on eBay, and bunch of other stuff have really been stressing her out.
It was quite shocking to read her comments to say the least.
She has shut down the comment section on her Instagram as well.
I won’t write all the details of what she said there, but you all can probably read and understand most it by using the Instagram translation function (if you have Instagram).

I know most of us here are fans of her work, but I just hope there aren’t people in here taking it to SNS to criticize her works and unnecessarily bring her down.
We all have opinions to artwork, like-dislike of each work, but there is no need to make fun of it, or to hurt someone else for that opinion.

[mwheeler27]

Originally Posted by okumeister

Ms. Seto is getting mentally hammered with some of the criticisms that she is getting on the internet/SNS.
She posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying that a “zombie” comment made on her Wagner work (not sure what that is about, but I suppose someone made fun of the art by using that word on twitter or something), as well as some nasty comments she have received towards her work till now, and all the fake autos of her that have come up on eBay, and bunch of other stuff have really been stressing her out.
It was quite shocking to read her comments to say the least.
She has shut down the comment section on her Instagram as well.
I won’t write all the details of what she said there, but you all can probably read and understand most it by using the Instagram translation function (if you have Instagram).

I know most of us here are fans of her work, but I just hope there aren’t people in here taking it to SNS to criticize her works and unnecessarily bring her down.
We all have opinions to artwork, like-dislike of each work, but there is no need to make fun of it, or to hurt someone else for that opinion.

Sadly, there will always be people jealous of you and your work if you are good, (popular), at what you do. They long to be as good or better than you. When they realize they will never get there, they resort to trying to break you down with insults. For some reason, it makes them feel better about themselves.

Too bad there isn’t a rule that we all had to go by...”If you can’t do it better yourself, keep your mouth shut. If you can do better, prove it”.

Constructive criticism is one thing. Intentionally trying to be mean is immature and childish at best.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by okumeister

Ms. Seto is getting mentally hammered with some of the criticisms that she is getting on the internet/SNS.
She posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying that a “zombie” comment made on her Wagner work (not sure what that is about, but I suppose someone made fun of the art by using that word on twitter or something), as well as some nasty comments she have received towards her work till now, and all the fake autos of her that have come up on eBay, and bunch of other stuff have really been stressing her out.
It was quite shocking to read her comments to say the least.
She has shut down the comment section on her Instagram as well.
I won’t write all the details of what she said there, but you all can probably read and understand most it by using the Instagram translation function (if you have Instagram).

I know most of us here are fans of her work, but I just hope there aren’t people in here taking it to SNS to criticize her works and unnecessarily bring her down.
We all have opinions to artwork, like-dislike of each work, but there is no need to make fun of it, or to hurt someone else for that opinion.

I wonder if Gregg had a hand in this....

[OAC Cards]

This was gut-punch news to wake up to. Why can't we have nice things??

For those who don't know, I run the @ToppsLivingStat handle over on Twitter, and have for well over a year now. I LOVE this set and try to promote it through that account with contests to guess the releases and tracking various categories (team & position distribution among other things). I don't have sponsors and I'm not a Topps shill, I just really like this set.

I know the comment in question about the zombie as I was tagged in it. The original poster is not happy with Topps for many reasons (let's be honest, some points are certainly valid) and that tone comes through in most of his posts. Unfortunately, it seems his latest comments were taken to heart and appear to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

All I know is, every single time I post the new releases, somebody is always excited about players the majority may shrug off.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by okumeister

Ms. Seto is getting mentally hammered with some of the criticisms that she is getting on the internet/SNS.
She posted a lengthy comment on Instagram, saying that a “zombie” comment made on her Wagner work (not sure what that is about, but I suppose someone made fun of the art by using that word on twitter or something), as well as some nasty comments she have received towards her work till now, and all the fake autos of her that have come up on eBay, and bunch of other stuff have really been stressing her out.
It was quite shocking to read her comments to say the least.
She has shut down the comment section on her Instagram as well.
I won’t write all the details of what she said there, but you all can probably read and understand most it by using the Instagram translation function (if you have Instagram).

I know most of us here are fans of her work, but I just hope there aren’t people in here taking it to SNS to criticize her works and unnecessarily bring her down.
We all have opinions to artwork, like-dislike of each work, but there is no need to make fun of it, or to hurt someone else for that opinion.

Sad that this happened, but she needs to realize that these things come with being a "public figure" and has to deal if this is something she wants to do. Not everyone is going to like all of her art and some are going to speak out (I like most of it but there's a few that are bad in my personal opinion *cough* Devers *cough*). Also imitation can be seen as a "compliment" so, well yea it SUCKS there's auto forgeries- isn't that really a good thing, to be popular enough that people are selling your forgeries

[OAC Cards]

Originally Posted by smanzari

Sad that this happened, but she needs to realize that these things come with being a "public figure" and has to deal if this is something she wants to do. Not everyone is going to like all of her art and some are going to speak out (I like most of it but there's a few that are bad in my personal opinion *cough* Devers *cough*). Also imitation can be seen as a "compliment" so, well yea it SUCKS there's auto forgeries- isn't that really a good thing, to be popular enough that people are selling your forgeries

With regards to Devers (as well as most complaints from this set), I'm going to throw the photo selection under the bus 99 times out of 100 before I criticize any of the actual artwork. I'd say spot on from the source photo (sorry couldn't make it smaller?):

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by OAC Cards

With regards to Devers (as well as most complaints from this set), I'm going to throw the photo selection under the bus 99 times out of 100 before I criticize any of the actual artwork. I'd say spot on from the source photo (sorry couldn't make it smaller?):

I know- I guess the point is, even your fans won't like everything you do.

[Monty]

I feel sorry for whomever has to follow Ms. Seto. She has set the standard very high and I marvel at how well she has hit her deadlines. Three cards a week, 52 weeks a year, for three straight years becomes a chore rather quickly no matter who you are. The Living Set will not be the same without her, we are all very lucky to have her works in our collection.

Always enjoy what you have today because it will eventually be gone at some point in the future. I wish her nothing but the best and I can't wait to see what future projects she will be working on.

[jdandns]

The Devers was an uncannily spot-on likeness of an unusual portrait selection.
Seto is a simply amazing artist. Long may she reign.

[brauncj1]

Is it known when Seto’s contract ends?

[okumeister]

Originally Posted by brauncj1

Is it known when Seto’s contract ends?

No, she just says it's "multi year contract".

[astrotrevor]

I really hope they figure this out and she remains the artist for the duration of the set. To ease the deadline demand each week, how would collectors feel about Cards released during the season and Fine art prints released during the off season?

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by Monty

I feel sorry for whomever has to follow Ms. Seto. She has set the standard very high and I marvel at how well she has hit her deadlines. Three cards a week, 52 weeks a year, for three straight years becomes a chore rather quickly no matter who you are. The Living Set will not be the same without her, we are all very lucky to have her works in our collection.

Always enjoy what you have today because it will eventually be gone at some point in the future. I wish her nothing but the best and I can't wait to see what future projects she will be working on.

I agree, but I'm back in if they give it to Graig Kreindler (for at least a few cards!)

[jdandns]

He's a master of his craft, but the way he specializes in old-timers, I'm concerned that he wouldn't be comfortable illustrating the "bling" worn by modern players. Does gold paint cost more than the regular stuff?

[aanewport]

Originally Posted by astrotrevor

I really hope they figure this out and she remains the artist for the duration of the set. To ease the deadline demand each week, how would collectors feel about Cards released during the season and Fine art prints released during the off season?

I posted here last year that living should break during the offseason to give collectors a chance to catch up and resellers a credit card break. If it helps our amazing artist stay on even better. I don't collect prints so no opinion either way for that portion of living.

[jlawje]

Originally Posted by astrotrevor

I really hope they figure this out and she remains the artist for the duration of the set. To ease the deadline demand each week, how would collectors feel about Cards released during the season and Fine art prints released during the off season?

I think this makes a lot of sense for a variety of reasons. But mainly, releasing during the season, with maybe a holiday set as well, will decrease burnout among collectors. They could do some more esoteric things during the offseason for hard core collectors.

[Monty]

If I made decisions at Topps this is what I would do...

The 1953 Topps design (and 1st Living Set) would always be Seto's for as long as she wanted to paint for the set. If she needed to take a break for 6 months after card #300, when she returned it would be for card #301 up. If she wanted to stop completely at #300, then that would be it (but it would still be open for her to return to later on if she wanted).

In the mean time, I would hire Kreindler to start a whole new Living Set (1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps design) that would be his for the duration of his painting life.

Any other artist that Topps wanted to use for a Living Set could be used in the same way. Obviously you don't want to oversaturate the market, so maybe you start a new Living Set every 3-4 years, about when the previous artists are wanting (need to) take a break from their sets.

The plus side would be that with a whole new design you could start all over again with every player in baseball (but appearing only once in the set per design/artist). There would also be a nice variety of art to chose from. And if an artist gets burned out, it doesn't mean that set gets passed onto another, it will be reserved for that particular artist in case they want to return at a future date, keeping the consistency of each Living Set in tact.

Thoughts?

[mwheeler27]

Originally Posted by Monty

If I made decisions at Topps this is what I would do...

The 1953 Topps design (and 1st Living Set) would always be Seto's for as long as she wanted to paint for the set. If she needed to take a break for 6 months after card #300, when she returned it would be for card #301 up. If she wanted to stop completely at #300, then that would be it (but it would still be open for her to return to later on if she wanted).

In the mean time, I would hire Kreindler to start a whole new Living Set (1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps design) that would be his for the duration of his painting life.

Any other artist that Topps wanted to use for a Living Set could be used in the same way. Obviously you don't want to oversaturate the market, so maybe you start a new Living Set every 3-4 years, about when the previous artists are wanting (need to) take a break from their sets.

The plus side would be that with a whole new design you could start all over again with every player in baseball (but appearing only once in the set per design/artist). There would also be a nice variety of art to chose from. And if an artist gets burned out, it doesn't mean that set gets passed onto another, it will be reserved for that particular artist in case they want to return at a future date, keeping the consistency of each Living Set in tact.

Thoughts?

I like it. And I would throw Jared Kelley’s name into the ring of competent artists for something like this. His paintings on trading card stock are phenomenal for the size. Having him paint larger portraits that then get made into smaller, trading card sized prints would illustrate impeccable detail.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by Monty

If I made decisions at Topps this is what I would do...

The 1953 Topps design (and 1st Living Set) would always be Seto's for as long as she wanted to paint for the set. If she needed to take a break for 6 months after card #300, when she returned it would be for card #301 up. If she wanted to stop completely at #300, then that would be it (but it would still be open for her to return to later on if she wanted).

In the mean time, I would hire Kreindler to start a whole new Living Set (1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps design) that would be his for the duration of his painting life.

Any other artist that Topps wanted to use for a Living Set could be used in the same way. Obviously you don't want to oversaturate the market, so maybe you start a new Living Set every 3-4 years, about when the previous artists are wanting (need to) take a break from their sets.

The plus side would be that with a whole new design you could start all over again with every player in baseball (but appearing only once in the set per design/artist). There would also be a nice variety of art to chose from. And if an artist gets burned out, it doesn't mean that set gets passed onto another, it will be reserved for that particular artist in case they want to return at a future date, keeping the consistency of each Living Set in tact.

Thoughts?

Cool idea. But I think if you had guys in multiple "Living Sets" that takes away from some of the concept of the whole thing.

I like knowing Aaron Judge will only have 13,256 Living cards ever made. Not 13,256 of the 1952 design while having another 10K of the 1951 design. To me, that would devalue the program.

If they change up the design, they should just use new players moving forward.

And if Topps is reading this, they should also lower the cost/card...