2023 Topps Chrome Greg Maddux 1988 Anniversary Red Refractor
Trading card, commercial lithography on metallic cardstock • Topps Design Team (manufactured by Topps/Fanatics)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Sports Collectible / Neo-Vintage (incorporating 1988 Topps design)
Medium & Technique
Chromolithography with metallic 'Chrome' finish and red refractor holographic layering
Creation Period
2023
Dimensions & Format
2.5 x 3.5 inches (Standard Trading Card size); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux in his Chicago Cubs uniform, featuring a dynamic pitching pose. The 1988 design utilizes the 'Cubs' marquee and a 35th-anniversary logo.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (Raw); shows minor blurring in photo, likely corner wear from handling
Estimated Market Value
$250.00 - $450.00
Auction Estimate
$200.00 - $500.00
Provenance History
Modern secondary market; likely pulled from a sealed 2023 Topps Chrome baseball pack and placed on a display stand
Art Historical Significance
A modern homage to the 1988 Topps set, representing the late-20th-century 'Junk Wax' era aesthetic revitalized for high-end modern collectors. It celebrates the legacy of 4-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux.
Notable Features
Hand-numbered '2/5' on the bottom right, indicating extreme rarity as a 'Red Refractor' parallel.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches on the 'Chrome' finish; centering appears slightly off-top towards the top/left; possible micro-chipping on the colored borders.
Conservation Recommendations
Encapsulation by a third-party grader (PSA, BGS, or SGC); maintain in a UV-resistant top-loader or magnetic slab away from direct sunlight.