2025 Topps Shoebox Treasures #15 "Paint Splatter" #/15

            

Card Review: 9.2

(my scanner was being difficult, so these are photos)

This is the 16th variation of this card that I've posted.  I believe there are five (5) more I don't have, a Rainbow Auto, Grayscale Auto, Shoebox Treasures Logo Auto, and the two "one of ones" (yes, two "one of ones," I hate everything about modern cards so much).

I prefer this non-autographed version a little more than the autographed version.  I just have the strong opinion that unless you're under the age of 15 or so and are having the card signed in person at the ball park, that autographs don't really belong on cards.  They're just sharpie stains that blemish the card.

My feelings on this card are more or less the same as they are for the autographed version, or any of the other 15 versions I've posted about.  It's fine.  The concept is great.  The regular base card was a really cool and fun idea, as was the entire set.  Then they made two dozen variations.  What are we doing here?  I know it's hypocritical, as I post about buying them all, but who asked for this?  Who are the people getting excited about endless inserts, and numbering to various amounts?  Sure, I'm here blogging about the 16th version of what is more or less the same card, but I'm grumpy about it.  I feel taken advantage of, that my o.c.d. is being exploited for profit.

I want to see a figure as to how many "one of ones" of a given player, say Shohei, have been produced in the last five years.  My guess is it's more than 1.  I know, "they're different," and each one is "unique," but come on.  I can lay out a 100 copies of a 1987 Topps Tim Wallach and fine differences and unique traits about each one.  More so, who is going to want these in another five years?  Take this set.  Who is going to be seeking out these variations down the road?  I see a future where dime boxes are loaded with cards numbered out of 20, 10, 5, even 1, while there are still a few collectors seeking out the base cards to complete their sets and paying a premium of a few bucks to do so.  Not that I believe you can judge a card by it's resale value, but just to illustrate my point.

Today, there are a lot of collector's still celebrating the acquisition or actively seeking a 1972 Topps #729 Bob Veale, nearly 55 years after kids were pulling it from packs.  And while Veale was fine pitcher who won 120 games and went to two all-star games, does that really warrant the number of people who weren't even born in 1972 that know exactly what that card looks like from memory?  Now try to imagine a scenario 55 years down the road in which anyone still wants this card currently listed for 50K on eBay: 

Maybe I'm wrong.  But I've seen this movie before and I doubt the ending is going to be any different this time around.  Try to imagine explaining why you thought paying 50K for this "card" was a good idea in another 20 years.  I can't.

Number of this card in my collection: 1 (well 2, but I somehow misplaced my first one, so I'll keep it at one until it shows up.)