Orange You Glad They were Just a Quarter?

Thanks to a fellow blogger jogging my memory, I was able to get to my local hobby store before they turned out the lights on Monday.  It was the first day of the 25-cent pack promo that Topps was using to create some hype around its Archives project.  And I didn't want to be left in the dark!

Actually, these five-card packs were supposed to come out the week that Archives actually hit the shelves, but Topps screwed up and had to delay delivery.  The owner of my LCS was none too pleased, and made sure to air his grievances with the hobby leader in a very candid fashion.

Anyhow, the shop owner limited each customer to two of these packs, otherwise one person could throw down a 20 and pretty much wipe out the stock.  The cards were packaged in plain, clear plastic wrapper, the type that Topps usually uses for the bonus cards that are included in factory sets.  For a quarter, I guess you can't expect bells and whistles.

Each pack contained four random 2013 Archives card plus one orange variation, like the Hamels above and the Hanley below.  Don't be fooled by the scan, these things are bright orange [Ed. Note: Think Tang.]

I can't explain why these cards didn't scan with full-on color; I tried a few times with a few different scanner settings.  I think it might have something to do with the special Agent Orange coating Topps utilized.  Or not.

I guess it's cool that Topps is doing a throwback promotion like this.  Though it ultimately serves to remind us all how overpriced baseball cards are these days.  It's no use bemoaning this fact, though.  It's as productive as griping about gas prices.

By the way, is it wrong that I contemplated sending my wife back to the card shop with 50-cents?

I didn't think so.

MK