Box Break: 2023 Topps Archives Collector’s Box

Topps Archives is the second major release of the year where Topps reuses older designs for the base set. Unlike Topps Heritage, Archives utilizes three different designs typically from different decades. This year the 300-cards set reused the designs from the 1956 (cards 1-100), 1965 (101-200) and 2003 (201-300) flagship lines. 

This release is available in three basic formats: retail blasters, hobby boxes and collector’s boxes. The collector’s box is a new format this year. It includes ten packs, one guaranteed auto, an oversized box loader and a lunch box. The lunch box is one of four players: Roberto Clemente, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson. The lunch box is concealed by a cardboard box so you do not know which one you are getting until you open it.

Upon opening the lunch box you will find the oversized box loader placed on top. The ten packs are securely shipped in a plastic tray. In my box I pulled a Baltimore Orioles box loader.

The checklist is created from a mix of retired stars and current stars and rookies. Often in Archives you will find retired stars in uniforms that you do not normally see. A couple of examples are Babe Ruth in a Red Sox uniform and David Ortiz in a Minnesota Twins uniform.

Inserts are a fascinating subject in Archives. Topps dug deep into the archives for some really great inserts. In some years insert sets are used to extend the base set starting with number 301. This year inserts are limited to subsets. The insert sets include 1957 Hit Stars, 1979 Topps Comics and 1989 Double Headers. Two of my better inserts I hit were the 1998 Baby Boomers Julio Rodriguez and the 1989 Double Header of Julio Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr.

In Topps Archives the autograph subjects are treated a little differently. There are nine different card designs from past years used for the autographs. In addition to current rookies and stars, fan-favorites from the past are included. Players such as Jason Kendall, Jesse Orosco and Barry Zito fall into this category. In my box, I pulled a Bartolo Colon auto in the 1990 Topps design.

Topps Archives is a fun way for Topps to include past and current stars in a menagerie of card styles. The collector’s box with the oversized box loader and lunch box was a fun rip. At the time of purchase the average price point was $50-$65 and the value is well worth it. This is a set I am starting to enjoy more and more with each release.

Here is a rundown of what was in the box I opened.