2019 Topps Luminaries Baseball Hobby Box Break & Review

How could I possibly forget the day when Luminaries arrived on the scene.  It was during the fall of 2017.  Upon opening my box I found a redemption card waiting for me.  That redemption card was for a Frank Thomas Autographed Letter Patch Book #’ed 1/1.  One of the best pulls of my life.  I immediately redeemed it, and within a matter of weeks it arrived.

In 2018 Luminaries moved to a summer release.  From that box I pulled a Ozzie Smith Autograph #’ed/15.

Sticking to a late summer release, Luminaries makes it’s return for 2019.  This product is for the real gamblers out there.  Packaged inside each box is (1) card.  That card is guaranteed to be an autograph or autograph/relic numbered to (15) or less.

As of this writing a box will cost $220.

Hits come in a variety of forms – Hit Kings Autographs, Home Run Kings Autographs, Masters of the Mound Autographs, Lighting the Way Dual Autographs, Hit Kings Autograph Relics, Hit Kings Autograph Patches, Home Run Kings Autograph Relics, Home Run Kings Autograph Patches, Masters of the Mound Autograph Relics, Masters of the Mound Autograph Patches, Lighting the Way Dual Autograph Relics, Hit Kings Autograph Patch Dual Book, Hit Kings Ultra Book, Hit Kings Ultimate Book, Home Run Kings Autograph Patch Dual Book, Home Run Kings Autograph Patch Triple Book, Home Run Kings Ultra Book, Home Run Kings Ultimate Book, Masters of the Mound Autograph Patch Dual Book, Masters of the Mound Ultra Book, The Greatest Book, Letters Autograph Book, Cut Signatures, Cut Signature Relics, Cut Signature Bat Knob Book, and Lighting the Way Autograph/Cut Signature Book.

Its quite the gamble for $220.  Then again, if all you’re doing is opening these boxes for the money you’re not in this hobby for the right reasons.  If the box price is too high and you’re a player collector picking up singles on the secondary market might be your best way to go.  Quick-thrill.  Lots of potential big hits.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Auto

• Chris Sale Masters of the Mound Red Auto #’ed/10

2018 Topps Luminaries Baseball Box Break & Review

Luminaries is a fairly new high-end product produced by Topps which got released for the first time last year.  When I opened that first box in November my jaw dropped.  Waiting inside was a redemption for a Frank Thomas Autographed Letter Book Card #’ed 1/1.  I did something I usually don’t do with cards that come in encased holders like this.  I broke the seal.  I had to do it in order to access the redemption code.  About a month later it arrived.  Zero problems.  No complaints.  I’ve never had an issue when it comes to Topps and their redemption process.

The 2018 edition of Luminaries is very similar to it’s 2017 counterpart.  Housed inside every box is (1) encased autograph or autographed relic.  Whatever is awaiting you, it’s guaranteed to be numbered to (15) or less.  At almost $200 per box, Luminaries is targeted towards those breakers willing to take a risk.  If you feel that’s too expensive, the secondary market is probably your best option for singles.

Notable rookies, current stars, and retired/Hall of Famers are at the core of the Luminaries checklist.  No minor league prospects here.  The main categories this product focuses on are Hit Kings, Home Run Kings, and Masters of the Mound.

When it comes to just the autographs, each of these categories has Red #’ed/10, Blue #’ed/5, and Black #’ed 1/1 parallels.  Hit Kings, Home Run Kings, and Masters of the Mound autographed relics all have patch versions with parallels as well.

Luminaries is a quick thrill.  I like the on-card autographs and booklets.

Here is what I pulled:

Auto

• Ozzie Smith Hit Kings #HK-OSM Auto #’ed/15

This is the first Ozzie Smith autograph I’ve pulled.  He has a nice signature that you can actually read.  Back in August he was the Grand Marshal of the 2018 Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade.  His rookie card can be found in the 1979 Topps Baseball set.  Card #116 to be exact.

Frank Thomas ’17 Topps Luminaries Redemption Card Received

In the middle of November, I opened a box of 2017 Topps Luminaries Baseball.  Waiting inside was a redemption for a Frank Thomas Autographed Letter Book Card #’ed 1/1.  As soon as it was pulled, I redeemed it.

At 5:01 a.m. on 12/28/17 I received an e-mail from Topps informing me that my card had been shipped.  According to the tracking number it was scheduled to be delivered the same day.  By lunch time it had arrived.

This card kicks butt.  Booklet, on-card autograph, and game-worn jersey letter patch.  It didn’t really matter to me which letter they used, but I’m glad Topps chose the “T”.

When it comes to redemption cards, you never truly know how long it will take to get your card.  Everyone’s experience can differ.  Personally, I’ve never had to wait that long with Topps products.  Historically they’ve been fast and efficient for me.  The Topps website easily lets me track my redemption cards, while I find their communication skills flawless.  No problems at all.

2017 Topps Luminaries Baseball Box Break

For Christmas I received a box of 2017 Topps Luminaries Baseball.  This is one of my favorite high-end products that Topps released in 2017.  Each box contains (1) encased autograph or autographed relic serial numbered to (15) copies or less.  The checklist is filled with current stars, retired players, and Hall Of Famers.  Its not priced for the casual collector or anyone on a tight budget, but its nowhere near the cost of something like Dynasty.

In November I opened a box of this stuff and pulled a Frank Thomas Autographed Letter Book Card #’ed 1/1.  This morning I was notified by Topps that it has been shipped.  Rest assured, when it gets here I’ll definitely show it off.

No booklet inside this box, but a decent player.  The “189H” commemorates his season high 189 hits.

Here is what I pulled:

Auto

• Manny Machado Hit Kings #HK-MMA #’ed/15

2017 Topps Luminaries Baseball Box Break & Review

Ladies and gentlemen we have a new high-end baseball product that comes in the form of 2017 Topps Luminaries.  Its got style, class, and a whole lot of fun stuff to look for.  WARNING!  This product is for the gamblers and risk takers.  These are my favorite boxes to open.  They get straight to business.

At around $250 per box, 2017 Topps Luminaries is quite the roll of the dice.  Boxes contain (1) encased autograph or autographed/relic numbered to (15) or less.  The checklist is mighty extensive and includes current stars, retired legends, and Hall of Famers.  No prospects here folks.  Just the goods.

Everything is signed on-card as it should be when your spending that kind of cash for one card.  Now, not every box will have that life altering “hit”.  Nowadays all products are a gamble.  But I can guarantee that what you do find will be of a great player and serial numbered to no more than (15) copies.  If you don’t find the price of the box appealing, you can always pickup some nice looking singles on the secondary market.  That’s how I see it.  You’re never going to get a product like this for $50 per box.

Interesting note.  ’17 Luminaries has the first FULL autographed cards of Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.  In the past, his autograph consisted of him signing just his last name.  Not all, but a few Luminaries cards have his first name.

Because my “hit” is a redemption, I have yet to see any of these cards in person.  From what I’ve seen online, they look well designed.  Despite it being a redemption, I’m very happy with my pull.  I’ve never had an issue or had to wait long to get my redemption cards fulfilled from Topps.  This is the first time I’ve broken the seal on an encased card.  It had to be done in order to get the code.

What this product has going for it are the on-card autographs, superb checklist, and low numbering.

Here is what I pulled:

Auto/Relic

• Frank Thomas Autographed Letter Book Card Redemption #’ed 1/1

Already redeemed.  I will show it off as soon as it arrives.