I have to give credit to the gentleman who runs Nachos Grande. He took the initiative (why none of the rest of us did is beyond me) to send an e-mail to Topps asking about the "all black" cards found in blasters at WalMart. Needless to say, the answers are intriguing.
Ripped off verbatim from his e-mail response from the Topps Company:
Thank you for your inquiry. Please be advised, the Black bordered cards is a Wal-Mart exclusive.
To assist collectors in identifying the Wal-Mart exclusive “BLACK” cards in 2009 Topps Baseball Series 1, Topps is issuing the $19.99 Value Box’s 9-digit component code. This code can be found directly on the top of box’s bar code.
In addition, Target also has an exclusive $19.99 Value Box, which includes “THROWBACK” versions of 2009 Topps Baseball Series 1 featuring gray-back cardboard stock and the retro Topps logo. These boxes also have an identifiable component code found directly on top of the bar card.
The exclusive limited edition sets include each of the 330 subjects found in the 2009 Topps Series 1 Base Set. The codes are as follows:
Wal-Mart “BLACK” Cards
Code: 1-825-50-13-9
All the base cards found in this version of the VALUE BOX will be “BLACK”.
Target “THROWBACK” Cards
Code: 1-825-50-12-9
All the base cards found in this version of the VALUE BOX will be “THROWBACK”.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service team (By Phone: 800-489-9149, or by Email:support@etopps.com) if you ever have any other questions, comments or suggestions. A customer service representative will be available to answer your questions between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm (EST), Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
Consumer Relations
The Topps Company, Inc.
So as soon as I get out of work, and before I get home, it's off to Target. I have to see this for myself.
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
