We're running a Best of 2014 poll on the blog:

Non-Sport Update’s Best of 2014: Vote for your 5 favorite non-sport card series of 2014

If you get a chance, please visit the site and choose your five favorites non-sport series from 2014. You can write in comments either on the blog or right on the poll.

Thanks!

Just a reminder that if you haven't already done so, you still have time to vote in our Best of 2014 poll. This Friday (December 26) is the last day to vote. It only takes a minute and we'd really like to know your favorites.

Once again, here's the link:

NSU Blog - Non-Sport Update Best of 2014: Vote for your 5 favorite non-sport card series of 2014

We've posted the winners in the annual poll today:

The Winners Are...

Congratulations to those that got the nod.

A couple too many from Cryptozoic on there with four of the slots, as I really do think Panini should had at least one set on there, but the votes are the votes.

Besides that, there were two from Rittenhouse, one from Topps, one from Upper Deck, one from Breygent, and one from Perna Studios, so a nice mix, all in all. Congrats to the winners, and keep them coming!

Six of the ten products I never saw in person. I only picked Game of Thrones and Bond in my top five. WD should have been counted as one entry. I thought Kringle Kards would have been a strong sketch pick, but I think it came out too late for this poll. No Star Trek, funny?

The biggest surprise to me was Guardians of the Galaxy getting #2, wasn't expecting that.

I never saw the Guardians of the Galaxy cards after release and didn't pre-order because autographs weren't in every box. Also Dontown Abbey made #10? Oh well.

I feel a bit sorry for Cult - Stuff, they produced a load of good sets and never even got a mention.

While I expected Hobbit to do well - and I voted for it myself purely because it was one of only five sets in 2014 I actually wanted to collect - it isn't a worthy winner. It just wasn't a good product overall (I've collected only the autograph cards and didn't buy a box). Nothing with one hit per box is a good product.

The same goes for Walking Dead Season 3 Part 2 which (it's all in the title) is blatant milking of fans' good will (and wallets). In most other industries such obvious profiteering would not be so rewarded.

Again, while I did vote for Hobbit myself, and have therefore contributed to the problem, I do think it's wrong that collectors are sending the message to manufacturers that these kinds of practices are OK. I guess in a small hobby like trading cards, everyone is just that much more accepting of bad practice for fear of not getting anything at all if they object.

Very surprised Sons of Anarchy didn't make the top 10, and no Star Trek too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ravenheart,

I'm happy with this list, my 3 choices (Hallowe'en, Bond and American Horror Story) are all on there.
The small manufacturers such as RR Parks, Cult Stuff etc, have limited runs and many collectors don't get to see their products, that's why I'm glad Perna Studios got a mention.

I'm also happy with the list. I thought The Hobbit was the best set of the year. What it lacked in wardrobe cards it made up for with a stellar autograph lineup and multiple sketches per case. I also voted Downton Abbey in my Top 5 as I love the show and the set (though the cards have underperformed value-wise). I only wish they got a few more of the top stars to sign for it.

Cool - a couple of my top picks (Hallowe'en and American Horror Story) - made the cut.

Was also surprised to see Guardians of the Galaxy made it, though? Well, that's what makes this hobby fun; something for everyone.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dcole,

One you got past the idea of ponying up of $8 to $10 per pack of "Guardians", they really were fun to open, with a decent hit in every 3rd pack or so, plus the oversized box toppers were nice, too, and most importantly, the movie itself was a big hit with the fans.

I do want to give one last shout-out to Topps for Wacky Packages Old School 5. A lot of love and care has gone into each one of those sets (which basically go back in time to the 1970's to parody products that existed during the original Wacky Packages era). Not only is all-new painted art created for each series which are then issued as stickers on the four different card stocks used on the original issues, but even the packaging shows tremendous attention to detail. About the only thing they're missing is the gum (and the 25 cents per pack price point, haha).

quote:

Originally posted by ravenheart:
Nothing with one hit per box is a good product.

Would you rather have 1 good hit or 2 mediocre ones?

Not saying every one-hit box is a home run, but it's tough to cast that generalization.

I wouldn't mind "no hit" boxes for around $25 on many subjects, just like we used to have, but alas, that ship seems to have sailed...

quote:

Originally posted by Ted Dastick Jr.:

quote:

Originally posted by ravenheart:
Nothing with one hit per box is a good product.

Would you rather have 1 good hit or 2 mediocre ones?

Not saying every one-hit box is a home run, but it's tough to cast that generalization.

It's tough to cast any generalizations, but too often the 1 hit box also yields a mediocre hit so, like ravenheart, I would also rather put my money into a 2 or 3 hit box. If nothing else it makes you feel like you have more chances at pulling something good and even 3 minor hits contribute back some value.

The only thing worse than a 1 hit box is the floating hit products where there are dud boxes. If these products sold at $35 - $40 a box it would not be an issue to get a base set and some inserts or parallels only, but they are retail pricing at over twice that now. It's not a matter of hitting a home run, just getting back some value for what you paid.

I would rather not deal with 1-hit boxes. Too risky and have the luck to score big.

Recently, I'm only into "all-hit" boxes.

quote:

Originally posted by Raven:
I never saw the Guardians of the Galaxy cards after release and didn't pre-order because autographs weren't in every box. Also Dontown Abbey made #10? Oh well.

I loved Downton Abbey and voted for it. It was a well made set. The cigarette style cards are fun to work on (still need 50 of the 125). A solid line up of major character autos. a good costume card set. The 126 card base set covered season 1 and 2 really well. Glad it made the cut.

quote:

Originally posted by barobehere:

quote:

Originally posted by Raven:
I never saw the Guardians of the Galaxy cards after release and didn't pre-order because autographs weren't in every box. Also Dontown Abbey made #10? Oh well.

I loved Downton Abbey and voted for it. It was a well made set. The cigarette style cards are fun to work on (still need 50 of the 125). A solid line up of major character autos. a good costume card set. The 126 card base set covered season 1 and 2 really well. Glad it made the cut.

As you can see I'm not a fan since I misspelled the title so badly, but there was nothing special about the set to me. I did get one box, which did not provide the larger base set. I got an autograph of a maid, can't remember the actress right now, and a swatch from one of the daughters. No sketch. Bad decision on my part.

When the top ten leaves off titles like Sons of Anarchy, Castle, Once Upon A Time, Star Trek Aliens and Kringle Kards you can find fault with Downton Abbey getting a slot.