If there’s one thing I’ve noticed time, and time again, it’s that the majority of collector’s, especially among the blogosphere, miss the hell out of Upper Deck Masterpieces. Who can really blame them, honestly? Boxes were affordable, each card was made to look like an oil painting, all autographs were on-card, and who can forget those gorgeous framed parallels. Some of the lower-numbered ones still sell very well on the secondary market, but above all, they look absolutely fantastic.
So Upper Deck lost their MLB Properties license. So what?! ?! That doesn’t mean they still can’t produce a baseball set that collector’s will buy. With it being a one company show this year, and releases being few and far between (quality releases even fewer and farther between), I decided to take it upon myself to design a Masterpieces set for 2010. Without logos.
Even though the set was only around for 2 years (’07 & ’08), the designs for each year didn’t look all that different, so I tried to spice it up a bit, while trying to maintain brand recognition.
What do you think?
2010 Upper Deck Masterpieces Nick Markakis concept card
Look ma, no logos!
And just for kicks, here’s a few framed parallels as well.
2010 Masterpieces blue framed parallel #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces burgundy framed parallel #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces sage framed parallel #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces brown framed parallel #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces silver framed parallel #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces red framed parallel NOT #'d to something arbitrary
2010 Masterpieces yellow framed parallel #'d 1/1
Taste the custom Markakii rainbow.
I took it a step further than just Markakis as well. I mean, it would have been downright predictable of me if I hadn’t. Check out the Heywards…
2010 Upper Deck Masterpieces Jason Heyward concept card
2010 Masterpieces Jason Heyward yellow framed parallel #'d 1/1
Dayf, please stop drooling, you’ll ruin your keyboard.
That was a nerdy joke, and I apologize.
If anyone wants me to make them a card, send over the player name, and I will see what I can do. Maybe we can have our own virtual 2010 Masterpieces set, ala Goose Joak.
-b
P.S. – Upper Deck, yes, I am looking for a new job. Let’s do lunch. Oh, and please don’t sue me for using your name on my custom cards. I’m already pretty broke as it is.
Very good job. I am impressed. If you didn’t know better, you might think those were real.
Far out, man. I like those a lot. For the price, it’s hard to come up with a better set than Masterpieces.
I dig the framed parallel’s style. You got that whole “oval frame” thing going on. Seriously, Upper Deck should take notice.
Did you hear me Upper Deck!!?
TAKE NOTICE man…sir.
I really wish those were real. Great job, they look very nice. If you get the chance, I’d love to see a Mauer.
Holy Crap
You squeezes marakaki’s elbow in.. I knew you could do it..
They look awesome, and I would definitely buy those boxes. The only problem is that Upper Deck still couldn’t use that card, because they aren’t even allowed to airbrush logos out of photos anymore.
–Jon
Airbrush? I have no idea what you’re talking about (twiddles thumbs).
That’s a shame really, and the only reason for it is because they took it too far and pissed off the MLB.
WHYYYYYY??
WHYY DID YOU GIVE ME THE CARDBOARD VERSION OF BLUE BALLS???
I’m using a laptop too! Drooling on the keyboard can’t be any goo@$%&#^%*^#UN8vh 93^%^#&#^&v785………95g 54thbtr****~““““““““`
Masterpieces weren’t all that affordable when first released though. I remember 2007 boxes selling for about the same price as Ginter with a lot fewer cards per box and less hits on top of that. It wasn’t until the prices dropped on Masterpieces boxes that the sets really took off in popularity. The mountains of retail product really helps out in getting the beautiful base cards out there for a low cost. I wouldn’t have touched the stuff at the original prices for 4 cards a pack and 18 packs a box though. Even at $55 (DAcardworld’s current price), that’s still a little pricey.
Blowout frequently has the 2008 version for $30/box.
Nice work. I’d like to see a Billy Butler and a Vladimir Guerrero if you get time.
Those cards look awsome, I am a fan of the Masterpiece sets too. I like the idea of a virtual collection.
MSRP on masterpieces was $8 a pack I believe or $96 a box. Turns out they only sell for 1/3 of that price. When i spoke with the UD people about this, they told me they have cases of the stuff and it isn’t a financially viable product. Ironically, with this set being the exact opposite of Topps Chrome, I propose that the same model would work. 1 auto per box, no jersey cards, and patches being 2 per case with 1 of those autod would probably work. The masterpieces jersey cards are just useless. Even I don’t like them. Yet these boxes would sell due to the parallels. If they could do 10 packs per box $6 msrp, I believe they sell. Wholesale them at $42. 10 boxes per case puts these in the sweet spot for pricing.
Alas we will have to wait for UD to get their NFL and MLB licenses back. If they survive, the licenses will come back when UD is in a healthier position.
YEAH, i’M KINDA fREAKIN oUT….