A mysterious envelope arrives in your mailbox. It's the right size for a card but you've received all your eBay purchases. Oh, wait, there was that redemption that you sent in a few months back. Or was it a year ago and change? You can't remember. You tear it open and it is, indeed, a card --Â an autograph -- but you don't recognize the design. That's because it's a new Topps replacement card designed specifically to fulfill outstanding redemptions showing no signs of working out.
The 2013 Topps replacement autographs are done as Refractors. The overall layout is fairly simple and clean. There's a more intricate frame for the signature, which is in the form of a sticker.
Card backs are not numbered. They have a fairly simple design that comes with a generic writeup that doubles as a certificate of authenticity.
Besides basic unnumbered versions, several of the cards have numbered parallels. These also use different color highlights. Known parallels include Purple (#/5), Green (#/50) and Red (#/99). A couple of dual and triple autographs have also popped up. We checked in with Topps to see how cards and parallels are being distributed but have not heard back. We'll pass along any info we receive.
Each card comes with a form letter explaining the card. A passage reads:
After careful consideration, with our customers in mind, we decided to have replacement cards sent for redemptions that have remained unfinished. To do this, we used active and retired player autographs in our current inventory, and applied them to cards created specifically for this purpose. These cards are not available in stores, or in any kind of set. They have been printed as part of a unique production run, devised especially for you and others that have been so patient in waiting. The card(s) you have received will effectively replace the original card, or cards, you had redeemed.
Each package also includes a slip noting which card it's replacing.
Redemption cards stink. That's the sentiment that most of us have after pulling an IOU from a pricey pack of cards. Unless it's a special prize or something that won't fit in packs, most would agree that having everything in packs is ideal. Who wants to wait for weeks, months or even years? This is especially if card you're waiting for was a prospect who has found a spot as a career bench warmer or a one-time star who now hits bloop singles instead of highlight-reel home runs.
Some collectors are likely to have mixed feelings after receiving a 2013 Topps replacement autograph. Some will be happy to be done with the replacement. In some cases, it might even be an upgrade. Others may have bought a redemption card of a favorite player or team and now they have someone they don't collect. If that's the case, the best option would be to try and contact Topps and work something out.
Below is a guide to the 2013 Topps replacement autographs that we have seen. If you receive any others not listed, please feel free to leave a comment so that we can add it.
2013 Topps Replacement Autographs
Click on the card name to shop for singles on eBay.
Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox
George Brett, Kansas City Royals
Orlando Cepeda, San Francisco Giants
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
Gary Sheffield, New York Yankees
Don Sutton, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins
Vladimir Guerrero, Montreal Expos
Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants
Johnny Podres, Brooklyn Dodgers
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
2013 Topps Replacement Gold Autographs
In addition to the unnumbered versions of the cards above, they also have parallels. However the following has only shown up as a parallel thus far. We'll move it if regular versions surface.
2013 Topps Replacement Dual Autographs
2013 Topps Replacement Triple Autographs
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