I bought a sweet lot of 2002 Archives Reserve on eBay that netted me 74 of the set's 100 cards, plus nearly 30 dupes. Add to that a Roger Maris I got off Listia a couple weeks back, and I'm at a cool 3/4's complete.
While 2001 Reserve is a 100-card set of rookie card refractor reprints, 2002 Reserve is a 100-card set of "best years" (by Topps' subjective opinion) refractor reprints. So for example, there's Bob Gibson's 68 Topps card and Roger Maris' 1961 Topps card. The backs are weird because they've been edited to include that year's stats (so for example, Roger Maris' numbers for the 1961 season are listed on the back of his 1961 card reprint). At first I thought that was kinda lame, but I suppose it's neat from the perspective of looking back at that certain year. But it occasionally makes for an awkward card, such as the 1988 Kirk Gibson which pictures him as a Tiger, but has his '88 stats as a Dodger on the back. Not sure why they didn't just use his Topps Traded card for that one.
As I mentioned recently, the main thing that bugs me about 2002 Reserve is that the cards are slightly more drab than their bright 2001 Reserve counterparts, specifically on the back. Take for example the 1969 Reggie Jackson card, which is reprinted in both sets.
Ok, the fronts are pretty much identical, with placement of the Archives logo being the only noticeable difference. But then there's the backs...
The 2001 card (left) is bright, easy to read, and quite faithful to the original. However, 2002 is darker and a less-faithful reprint, with a new write-up, the stats from 1969 added, and a legalese box on the right which smooshes everything over a tad. So between these sister sets, you clearly have to give the nod to 2001, at least when it comes to the backs.
Anyways, I'll probably hit up Sportlots soon to chip away at my remaining needs, but thought I'd post here first just in case someone reading has any of these to trade. If so, please get in touch and we'll see about working out a swap. Thanks!
My 2002 Archives Reserve needs as of 11/29/2014:
15 Bill Buckner 85
21 Dave Concepcion 79
22 Joe Morgan 76
28 Mickey Lolich 71
37 Jose Cruz 83
39 Whitey Ford 61
42 Roy Campanella 53
46 Thurman Munson 76
49 Tom Seaver 69
51 Graig Nettles 77
53 Yogi Berra 54
57 Vida Blue 71
61 Hank Aaron 57
65 Early Wynn 59
70 George Brett 80
71 Elston Howard 63
76 Carl Yastrzemski 67
80 Johnny Bench 70
82 Mike Schmidt 80
84 Juan Marichal 66
89 Roberto Clemente 66
91 Jack Clark 87
92 Willie Mays 62
93 Ron Guidry 78
97 Bill Mazeroski 60
Good luck man.
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