First Impressions: 2022 Topps Gypsy Queen

This year's Gypsy Queen set has been out for awhile now. I've seen a few cards posted here and there, and to be honest, I love the design! It's possibly my favorite design since 2015 Topps came out. I was very happy to find a box in the wild, and would like to share my impression as I opened up 7 glorious packs:

 

Pack 1

#67 Lucas Giolito

 

The honor of the first card goes to Lucas Giolito. So let's get right to this design and what I enjoy about it. It has a steam-punk like quality to it. You get hints of intricate metal-work holding the picture in place. The name and position, while still small and hard to read, at least presented in a fun way. The team ticket reminds me of those little prize tickets you earn playing Skee-Ball. The overall design is fun, and I feel very creative.

 

#193 Austin Hays

#60 Lars Nootbaar (RC)

#18 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

#59 Gio Urshela (green parallel)

#100 Michael Conforto

#51 Devin Williams

 

Pack 2

#205 Brandon Crawford

#101 Max Muncy

#191 Willy Adames

#GGM-9 Pete Alonso (Gypsy Gems Minis insert)

 

I'm not a fan of minis, nor am I fan of astrology, but this insert is shiny and downright pretty. The picture does not do it justice.

#44 Spencer Strider (green parallel)

#15 J.D. Martinez

 

The second pack hits me with the first of I hope many Red Sox cards. It's a basic shot of Martinez running (or dancing, you never know, he could be dancing), and his red jersey looks really good with the overall design.

#44 Spencer Strider

 

Pack #3

#122 Corey Seager

#294 Matt Carpenter

#199 Jorge Soler

#41 Dansby Swanson

#40 Didi Gregorius (green parallel)

#177 Corbin Burnes

#211 Pete Alonso

 

Pack #4

#173 Ryan Vilade (RC)

#160 Anthony Rizzo

#258 Colton Welker (RC)

 

Another noteworthy aspect of the set if the muted colors on the Rookie Card symbol. It never looked right when a set designed to look vintage had such a glaring modern graphic element to it, and the change here actually makes it feel like it's part of the set. I'll admit, there were a few times a missed that logo completely when thumbing through the cards!

#156 Andrew Benintendi

#259 Gavin Sheets (green parallel)

#128 Spencer Howard

#292 Luis Frias (RC)

 

Pack #5

#227 Gary Sanchez

#38 Trent Grisham

#219 Dallas Keuchel

#142 Brandon Nimmo

#177 Corbin Burnes (green parallel)

#234 Alex Krilloff

#32 Josh Bell

I haven't discussed the back yet. It's a pretty typical GQ back, and the small font issues that have plagued Topps sets continues here. I wish the backs had a more coordinated look with the front, with maybe some metal brackets or bolts. This back is too generic and could appear on any GQ set.

 

Pack #6

#192 Rhys Hoskins

#96 Mike Clevinger

#152 Edward Cabrera (RC)

#141 Sonny Gray

#248 Joey Gallo (green parallel)

#43 Brian Anderson

#286 Tim Anderson

 

Pack #7

#167 Starling Marte

#17 Vidal Brujan (RC)

#119 Franmil Reyes

#164 Josiah Gray (RC)

#77 Justin Upton (gren parallel)

 

 

The green parallels are plentiful, and fortunately they look really good with this set. Perhaps a different shade of green would have looked better for the vintage look, but this color pops and I don't mind it one bit.

#36 Ozzie Albies

#127 Anderson Tejeda

Design-wise, I adore this set. The only thing keeping me from considering a set build are those blasted short-prints. Otherwise, this is easily my favorite set of the year!