Here are some fun topics to consider. I can't guarantee any of the info won't change, but for the most part, this on good authority.

Binders - Topps listened to all the fans who have been shouting for years to bring back binders, and with CW WV, they did a binder. The binder was a success. Folks ordered them, and while some didn't LOVE the paper insert style, most liked the binders a lot. I really like mine.

What does that mean? There will be a Galaxy 5 binder, and this time it will be the heat sealed binder style everyone has asked for. Sorry, but there won't be coupons this time around, and the binder will take a bit longer to show up on the website, but keep your eyes open, and bookmark the Topps store if you want a great Galaxy 5 binder.

Chances are also strong for an ESB WV 3D binder too of course, assuming the Galaxy 5 binder is well received. For now, the plan is to continue offering binders through the site for as long as fans seem to want them.

I think Topps is doing an incredible job of listening to their customers on this, and several other issues, so way to go Topps!

ESB 3D WV

Speaking of the hottest upcoming set ever, we've got some info on what will and won't be in the set.

The set will be 48 common cards. The ONLY chase cards will be the sketches and autographs. Sorry, no motion cards. What this does mean for many collectors is that the folks chasing autographs and sketches might just make the common set easy pickings. Why no additional chase? It's just part of the complex stuff that goes into making a card set like this. 3D cards are a lot different from plain paper cards, and keeping a set collectible and affordable for everyone is still a priority at any card company.

What will you see on those 48 common cards? Don't be silly, no one is giving up that info early! No, what you will see is that these are 3D improved. The technology has come a long way since the ANH set, and even since the Episode 1 set. Foreground images will be incredibly crisp, and the 3D will be much more obvious in these cards. This is a set designed to be a Quality set for everyone who loved the original ANH set.

Sketches will be 1 per box guaranteed, so for those who are thinking about how to buy, whether by the pack in retail stores (yes, they'll be sold there) or by the box, or just wait and pick a common set up from a fellow collector or on ebay, figure your desire for a sketch into your considerations. Buy a box, get a sketch.

Packs will be $3 per pack for 2 cards. Yes, it was important to everyone involved with the set to keep prices in line with what an average collector would want to pay. There is expected to be a pop poster in each box. There will not be box toppers, and autographs will be much more rare than sketch cards. Still, a real effort is being made to get a wide variety of signers. Exact numbers and break downs on autographers won't be known until closer to the date of the set's release.

I mentioned that these will be sold in retail stores in addition to hobby shops. As usual, Target has requested Target Red sketch cards as an exclusive for their stores. Don't panic however, because unlike other sets, card backs for sketches found in retail stores will not be different, and Target Red cards will only be distinguished by their red theme.

There is only a distributor promo for the card set, no public promo.

But if you like promotional items and exclusives, well, you'll want to stop by the Topps booth at Celebration 5 in Orlando this summer. Topps will be there, and they will have goodies.

Galaxy 5 isn't far away, and word on this set is that the artwork for the common cards is incredible, and the set itself is traditional Galaxy. And of course Topps knows we don't like typos and that message should have reached the printers loud and clear for this set. For me, Galaxy 5 is a definite 'buy the box' set.

ESB WV 3D looks to be a fantastic common set that will be easy to acquire, and probably a less costly set than the ANH set was for many. For those who love 3D, this set will be a great find. I'm going to buy more than one box, because I'm a big fan, and I build a set or two for friends.

And don't forget, there is another Clone Wars Widevision set coming before next year. Sure, the TV series can be a bit lame sometimes. I think it has improved this year, but it is still more my nephew's thing than mine. The card sets for the show though are amazingly good. I almost prefer the cards to the TV!

And with Celebration 5 bringing us lots of exclusive card goodies as well, this is an amazing year to be a Star Wars card collector.

Great update Cathy!!! I'm so excited about the ESB 3D set. Long have I waited for it!

Checks calendar, no its not April 1st yet

Lets hope it all works out that way, they would have then almost answered every fan request and complaint from previous sets.

Still think $3 a pack for 2 cards of ESB WV 3D is too much, not sure why Topps insists on sketches in every set, especially this one. As you say, could be to keep the sketch and auto collectors buying boxes but does nothing for most collectors anymore.

Lets hope Topps sees sense in making the next CW set more obtainable, i.e. not over doing the number of inserts and exclusive inserts.

Lastly, what about 1/1 cards, sick of these, lets go back to the good old days of completable master sets.

I checked one of those inflation calculator things, and it shows that, for the new 3D set to be the same 'real price' as the original 1996 set, the card packs should be 2 cards in a pack and priced at $2.80 per pack. So $3 per pack isn't actually a terrible price increase.

In the 1996 set, your only likely chase card was the single motion card. In this set, your only likely chase card is a sketch, or very rarely an autograph.

I imagine some folks would say the value of the chase cards is greater in this set and makes up for the 20 cents. Hard to tell! I suspect cards will still only trade at a $1 each value in this set, as they did originally for the 1996 set.

Cathy,

Was wondering, now that SW Galaxy 5 has been out for 2 months now, when will we see the Galaxy 5 binder????

Just curious,

Bought the G5 Binder from Topps Vault and it is much nicer than the cheap CW binder. It is printed and padded and the rings lock, the only thing missing is a pocket on the inside of the cover. Thanks Topps, keep em' coming and I for one will keep buying. In fact make binders for previous releases as well, like for the original series...that would be AWESOME!!!

I too like the binders, I certainly think a binder for Galaxy series 4 should have been made, unlikely that Topps will back track. Possibly it would have been better making a Galaxy 4-6 binder that was bigger to get all the sets in. It would have saved me room on my cupboard shelf.

Only thing I had a problem with for the Galaxy 5 binder I just received (except for the stupid cost of shipping to the UK)is that it came damaged (cracked on the edge). Looking at it I think the soft cover design is too blame as packing seemed to be sufficient enough to protect it this time (makes a change). The previous binders from ROTS back had a harder cover design making it less prone to cracking around the edges and scuffing on corners. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Price point is probably ok, maybe at the very top end for something like this though (especially when postage is through the roof!!!).

Topps, please take note on these points, you seem to be making good head way on listening to collectors, just need too iron out the creases a bit