In the labyrinthine world of sports memorabilia, echoes of nostalgia occasionally resurface, ushering in a wave of excitement peppered with a touch of wistful remembrance. Such is the case this season in the realm of hockey memorabilia, where a faint yet thrilling resurgence is brewing. For those who feel an emotional twang at the phrase “Topps hockey cards,” prepare for an unexpectedly delightful twist in the tale.
After a two-decade hiatus characterized by longing sighs from devoted collectors, Topps has resurfaced in the hockey conversation. However, if you’re expecting a return to traditional card packs that once included stick-of-gum surprises and rookie cards, pump the brakes a touch. Topps, though, is indeed returning—just not in the conventional format enthusiasts might have stacked in dusty shoeboxes during their childhood.
The news, which seems to reverberate like a long-shot goal in overtime, unveils that as of April 3, Fanatics, the brand now shepherding Topps, will roll out something both familiar and novel—”Topps Under Wraps: Emanate 2024-25.” While this isn’t precisely a trading card product, it’s delightfully close and promises to tug at the heartstrings of collectors just the same.
In this refreshing venture, fans won’t find shiny foil-wrapped cards in their boxes. Instead, they’ll encounter something with a bit more panache and audacious flair—8×10 autographed photos. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill autographs, mind you. Designed to resemble the oversized trading cards of yore, these pieces of memorabilia carry both front and back artwork that pays homage to the classic card layouts beloved by collectors.
Sal Barry, a seasoned collector and dealer, muses in his PuckJunk.com newsletter, “These even have photos and information on the back.” His words summon images of secret treasure maps, waiting to be unfolded and admired. Each carefully curated Emanate photo carries an authentic touch, hand-signed by the players themselves (a subtle but significant elevation over mass-produced sticker autographs), each uniquely serial-numbered and hologrammed to guarantee authenticity.
A presentation as classy as the material within deserves a jus as distinguished as Topps delivers, with each Emanate photo snugly ensconced within a magnetic, ready-to-display folio case—ideal for the discerning collector itching to showcase their adorned piece of history.
A savvy pursuit awaits collectors yearning for a splash of color in their collection, with six breathtaking variants on offer: Gold (#/50), Orange (#/25), Blue (#/10), Red (#/5), and the ultra-elusive Iridescent (1/1), with each playing a unique note in a symphony of hockey artistry.
Topps unfurls an extensive checklist featuring over 70 players spanning all 32 NHL teams. This impressive roster includes seasoned greats like Alexander Ovechkin and Mark Messier with stately grace, while newer stars such as Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews flicker with youthful exuberance. The two worlds—the past honoring the present—coalesce seamlessly.
Adding another layer of allure, Topps sprinkles a rare touch of the extraordinary with multi-signed editions, including a head-turning 1/1 triple-signed and inscribed piece featuring Ovechkin, Bedard, and Matthews—a convergence of talent described fondly as a once-in-a-lifetime memorabilia opportunity.
The path back to hockey, nostalgic yet modernized, is paved by a $130 investment per box for collectors. This tag, while elevating compared to ye olde card packs, extends a charming invitation to partake in the marriage of high art and hockey.
Therefore, is Topps “officially” back in the realm of puck-slapping fun? Not quite—not in the visceral pack-ripping, rookie-card-chasing manner of eras past. Nonetheless, Emanate demonstrates that Topps has its sights firmly fixed on the ice, ready to maneuver their way around the rink. With Fanatics at the helm, holding sway over the hobby’s most significant licenses, the air rings with possibility. While Emanate offers a brand-new style of collection, hints of more traditional returns linger enticingly on the horizon, ready to skate into the heart of every puck-loving trading card aficionado.
