2011 Topps Lineage Baseball
Product Review
2011 Topps Lineage Baseball Product Review
Reviewed By Doug Cataldo
Good: Revisit 60 years of Topps baseball cards with an all-new set featuring the MLB stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Parallels mimic some of Topps greatest gimmicks including the minis from 1975, Stand-Ups, 3D cards, Cloth Stickers and regional Venezuelan variations. Many of the great ideas from the Topps Vault return with a vengeance, creating all-new memories for collectors who might not have been around to enjoy them the first time around. For those long-time collectors, it's a chance to experience them all over again.
Bad: This could have been a larger set. It's 200 cards and has multiple parallels, but they could have done so much more with it. They only scraped the surface in terms of paying homage. Topps has so many great designs and so many unforgettable, fun inserts and gimmicks, so hopefully this product will return next year.
The Bottom Line: At first glance, Lineage didn't impress. It seemed overpriced and thin on return. The hobby version is currently priced at over $80 and you get two autographs and a relic card. There is a retail box with 24 packs priced at about $50 and you get one relic per box, yet that kind of seemed a little steep too. The blasters however are just right. Priced at $19.99 you get the perfect mix of base cards, inserts and a guarantee of a 1975 Mini Relic.
Card Design: 3.0/5.0
The Lineage base set is similar to what you'd expect from the Topps flagship line. and Other than the inclusion of legends and throwback inserts and parallels, Lineage isn't much different from Topps Series 1 or 2 Baseball. The design is fairly bland but is saved by some distinguishable photos, especially the vintage ones. Cy Young and Tris Speaker, in particular, stand out. For the price, Lineage should offer collectors a better than basic design. They don't have to look far as they have some amazing options, such as Finest and Tribute, to choose from.
Checklist: 3.5/5.0
Lineage has a select mix of all-time greats like Babe Ruth, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Schmidt alongside current superstars Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez to fill out a 200-card set. To be honest, it could have easily been a 600 card set, and a highly collectible one at that. Even at 200 cards, it is extremely interesting and collectible because of the many variations. Besides the gimmick parallels, there are also Diamond-themed variations that pay homage to the latest Topps base release. Trying to put a complete set of the base and parallel collections will be a tough and costly task.
Value: 3.0/5.0
If you're looking for autographs, then your road leads to the hobby box. Be warned, they might not deliver the value you are looking for. The best bang for the buck is with the blasters. You might not pull a memorabilia card of a Hall of Famer or even an all-time great but you will get the guaranteed hit and a nice assortment of cards. That is where the glory of Lineage shines. The value comes from reliving the past by pulling some all-time collector favorites out of a 2011 pack. It introduces today's younger collectors to the cards and ideas that put the Topps name at the top of the baseball card list back in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Getting back to basics is something the company should consider revisiting on a more frequent, but not overwhelming basis.
The Fun Factor: 5.0/5.0
This is where Lineage shines. Between the Cloth Stickers, 1975 minis, 3D cards and all of the other variations, Lineage delivers a feeling of suspense and elation that is as close to revisiting the packs of the past as it gets. Not even Topps Heritage delivers that feeling because collectors know what's coming. Each pack of Lineage contains a different mix of cards. One pack could deliver a mini, another a pop-up. Each one stirs a different memory from a different era of Topps Baseball. If you lived and collected during those early years, you know exactly the feeling described. It was a simpler time when all the cards in the pack mattered. It's nice to know that every once and awhile, if Topps keeps this one in the rotation, that we'll be able to enjoy that feeling in today's volatile and competitive market.
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Set Checklist
2011 Topps Lineage Baseball Set Checklist
Base Set Checklist
2 Derek Jeter
3 Jimmie Foxx
4 Buster Posey
5 Felix Hernandez
6 Carlos Beltran
7 Mickey Mantle
8 Francisco Liriano
9 Matt Holliday
10 Jim Palmer
11 Ryan Zimmerman
12 Elvis Andrus
13 Cal Ripken Jr.
14 Kendry Morales
15 Curtis Granderson
16 Walter Johnson
17 Billy Butler
18 Brett Anderson
19 Larry Walker
20 Justin Morneau
21 Edinson Volquez
22 Johan Santana
23 Jose Tabata
24 Tsuyoshi Nishioka RC
25 Whitey Ford
26 Grady Sizemore
27 George Sisler
28 Aramis Ramirez
29 Chris Sale
30 Chase Utley
31 Jeremy Hellickson
32 Jon Lester
33 Tony Perez
34 Kyle Drabek
35 Hanley Ramirez
36 Michael Young
37 Justin Upton
38 Chris Carpenter
39 Ricky Romero
40 Stan Musial
41 Vladimir Guerrero
42 Jackie Robinson
43 Victor Martinez
44 Jay Bruce
45 Ryan Howard
46 Logan Morrison
47 Lance Berkman
48 Carlton Fisk
49 Matt Kemp
50 Lou Gehrig
51 Hunter Pence
52 Andre Dawson
53 Mike Schmidt
54 Alfonso Soriano
55 Nolan Ryan
56 Shane Victorino
57 Willie McCovey
58 Gordon Beckham
59 Duke Snider
60 Reggie Jackson
61 Zach Britton RC
62 Adrian Beltre
63 Ubaldo Jimenez
64 Joe Morgan
65 Josh Johnson
66 Andrew McCutchen
67 Nelson Cruz
68 Alexei Ramirez
69 Jayson Werth
70 Carlos Santana
71 Kurt Suzuki
72 Rickie Weeks
73 Brandon Morrow
74 Brooks Robinson
75 Alex Rodriguez
76 Roberto Alomar
77 David Wright
78 Dan Uggla
79 Carl Crawford
80 Troy Tulowitzki
81 Manny Ramirez
82 Ike Davis
83 Adam Wainwright
84 Clayton Kershaw
85 Al Kaline
86 Carlos Gonzalez
87 David Ortiz
88 David Price
89 Eddie Murray
90 Tris Speaker
91 Brent Morel
92 Clay Buchholz
93 Roy Oswalt
94 John Smoltz
95 Johnny Mize
96 Jason Bay
97 Aaron Hill
98 Evan Longoria
99 Honus Wagner
100 Babe Ruth
102 Cole Hamels
103 Joey Votto
104 Miguel Montero
105 Ty Cobb
106 Cy Young
107 Chad Billingsley
108 Hank Aaron
109 Mat Latos
110 Thurman Munson
111 Neil Walker
112 Johnny Cueto
113 Trevor Cahill
114 Dustin Pedroia
115 Chipper Jones
116 Pedro Alvarez
117 Torii Hunter
118 Todd Helton
119 Matt Cain
120 Ichiro
121 Roy Halladay
122 Paul O'Neill
123 Andre Ethier
124 Franklin Gutierrez
125 Mark Teixeira
126 Shin-Soo Choo
127 Orlando Hudson
128 Vernon Wells
129 Jason Heyward
130 Joe Mauer
131 Carlos Lee
132 Nick Markakis
133 Zack Greinke
134 John Danks
135 Tim Lincecum
136 Starlin Castro
137 Johnny Bench
138 Prince Fielder
139 Michael Pineda RC
140 Albert Belle
141 Ozzie Smith
142 Dan Haren
143 Miguel Cabrera
144 Roy Campanella
145 Adrian Gonzalez
146 Freddie Freeman RC
147 Ryan Braun
148 Aroldis Chapman
149 Kevin Youkilis
150 Robinson Cano
151 Johnny Damon
152 Ian Kennedy
153 B.J. Upton
154 Fergie Jenkins
155 Bob Gibson
156 Austin Jackson
157 Wandy Rodriguez
158 Monte Irvin
159 Yonder Alonso
160 Stephen Strasburg
161 Luis Aparicio
162 Brandon Belt RC
163 Jered Weaver
164 Brandon Beachy RC
165 Jose Reyes
166 Yovani Gallardo
167 Corey Hart
168 Delmon Young
169 Cliff Lee
170 Tom Seaver
171 Ryne Sandberg
172 Jose Bautista
173 Adam Dunn
174 Adam Jones
175 CC Sabathia
176 Miguel Tejada
177 Phil Hughes
178 Albert Pujols
179 Jake McGee
180 Marlon Byrd
181 Frank Thomas
182 Frank Robinson
183 Brian McCann
184 Josh Hamilton
185 Ian Kinsler
186 Mel Ott
187 Justin Verlander
188 Daniel Hudson
189 Jaime Garcia
190 Bert Blyleven
191 Johnny Bench AR
192 Willie McCovey AR
193 Joe Morgan AR
194 Cal Ripken Jr. AR
195 Chipper Jones AR
196 Ichiro AR
197 Andre Dawson AR
198 Manny Ramirez AR
199 CC Sabathia AR
200 Tom Seaver AR
1952 Autographs Set Checklist
52A-BP Buster Posey
52A-CB Clay Buchholz
52A-CM Charlie Morton
52A-DD David DeJesus
52A-FF Freddie Freeman
52A-FR Fernando Rodney
52A-GS Gabby Sanchez
52A-ID Ike Davis
52A-JB John Buck
52A-JG Johnny Gomes
52A-LM Logan Morrison
52A-MB Madison Bumgardner
52A-MBY Marlon Byrd
52A-MH Matt Harrison
52A-MM Michael Morse
52A-MS Mike Stanton
52A-RZ Ryan Zimmerman
52A-SV Shane Victorino
52A-TW Ty Wigginton
52A-UJ Ubaldo Jimenez
1975 Mini Relics Set Checklist
75R-ABE Albert Belle BAT
75R-AD Andre Dawson JSY
75R-ADU Adam Dunn JSY
75R-AE Andre Ethier JSY
75R-AJ Austin Jackson BAT
75R-AK Al Kaline BAT
75R-AM Andrew McCutchen BAT / JSY
75R-AP Albert Pujols
75R-AR Aramis Ramirez JSY
75R-ARA Alexei Ramirez JSY
75R-ARO Alex Rodriguez JSY
75R-AS Alfonso Soriano JSY
75R-BG Bob Gibson JSY
75R-BMC Brian McCann JSY
75R-BP Buster Posey JSY
75R-BR Brooks Robinson JSY
75R-BRU Babe Ruth BAT
75R-BU B.J. Upton JSY
75R-CBE Carlos Beltran JSY
75R-CBU Clay Buchholz JSY
75R-CC Chris Carpenter JSY
75R-CCS CC Sabathia JSY
75R-CF Carlton Fisk
75R-CGO Carlos Gonzalez JSY
75R-CJ Chipper Jones JSY
75R-CK Clayton Kershaw JSY
75R-CL Carlos Lee JSY
75R-CR Cal Ripken Jr. JSY
75R-DO David Ortiz JSY
75R-DP David Price JSY
75R-DPE Dustin Pedroia BAT
75R-DS Duke Snider BAT
75R-DU Dan Uggla JSY
75R-DW David Wright JSY
75R-EA Elvis Andrus JSY
75R-EL Evan Longoria JSY
75R-EM Eddie Murray JSY
75R-EV Edinson Volquez JSY
75R-FH Felix Hernandez JSY
75R-FJ Fergie Jenkins JSY
75R-FT Frank Thomas JSY
75R-GS Grady Sizemore JSY
75R-HA Hank Aaron JSY
75R-HW Honus Wagner BAT
75R-ID Ike Davis BAT / JSY
75R-IK Ian Kinsler JSY
75R-IS Ichiro JSY
75R-JB Jay Bruce BAT
75R-JBA Jose Bautista
75R-JBY Jason Bay JSY
75R-JC Johnny Cueto JSY
75R-JH Jason Heyward JSY
75R-JJ Josh Johnson JSY
75R-JMA Joe Mauer JSY
75R-JMI Johnny Mize BAT
75R-JP Jim Palmer
75R-JRE Jose Reyes BAT / JSY
75R-JSM John Smoltz JSY
75R-JU Justin Upton JSY
75R-JV Joey Votto JSY
75R-JVE Justin Verlander JSY
75R-JW Jayson Werth JSY
75R-JWE Jered Weaver JSY
75R-KF Kosuke Fukudome JSY
75R-KY Kevin Youkilis JSY
75R-MB Madison Bumgarner JSY
75R-MBY Marlon Byrd JSY
75R-MC Matt Cain JSY
75R-MCA Miguel Cabrera JSY
75R-MK Matt Kemp JSY
75R-MM Mickey Mantle BAT
75R-MO Mel Ott JSY
75R-MS Mike Schmidt BAT
75R-NC Nelson Cruz JSY
75R-NR Nolan Ryan JSY
75R-OS Ozzie Smith BAT
75R-PF Prince Fielder JSY
75R-RB Ryan Braun JSY
75R-RC Roy Campanella
75R-RJ Reggie Jackson JSY
75R-RR Ricky Romero JSY
75R-RZ Ryan Zimmerman JSY
75R-SC Starlin Castro JSY
75R-SK Sandy Koufax
75R-SM Stan Musial BAT
75R-SS Stephen Strasburg JSY
75R-SV Shane Victorino JSY
75R-TH Todd Helton JSY
75R-TL Tim Lincecum JSY
75R-TP Tony Perez BAT
75R-VM Victor Martinez JSY
75R-VW Vernon Wells JSY
75R-WF Whitey Ford JSY
75R-WM Willie McCovey JSY
75R-WM2 Willie McCovey BAT
75R-WR Wandy Rodriguez JSY
75R-YG Yovani Gallardo JSY
3D Set Checklist
T3D2 Buster Posey
T3D3 Ryan Howard
T3D4 Mark Teixeira
T3D5 Joe Mauer
T3D6 Ryan Braun
T3D7 Carlos Gonzalez
T3D8 Joey Votto
T3D9 Adrian Gonzalez
T3D10 Alex Rodriguez
T3D11 David Wright
T3D12 Carl Crawford
T3D13 Miguel Cabrera
T3D15 Evan Longoria
T3D16 Jason Heyward
T3D17 Kendry Morales
T3D18 Shin-Soo Choo
T3D19 Hanley Ramirez
T3D20 Josh Hamilton
T3D21 Justin Upton
T3D22 Troy Tulowitzki
T3D23 Hunter Pence
T3D24 Derek Jeter
T3D25 Albert Pujols
60th Anniversary Jumbo Relics Set Checklist
AJR-2 Brooks Robinson
AJR-3 Mike Mussina
AJR-4 Roberto Alomar
AJR-5 Elvis Andrus
AJR-6 Billy Butler
AJR-7 Matt Cain
AJR-8 Shin-Soo Choo
AJR-9 Willie McCovey
AJR-10 Jacoby Ellsbury
AJR-11 Vladimir Guerrrero
AJR-12 Tommy Hanson
AJR-13 Cliff Lee
AJR-15 Eddie Murray
AJR-16 David Ortiz
AJR-17 Carlos Zambrano
AJR-18 Johan Santana
AJR-19 John Smoltz
AJR-20 Johnny Bench
AJR-21 Justin Upton
AJR-22 Robin Yount
AJR-23 Joba Chamberlain
AJR-24 Todd Helton
AJR-25 Joe Torre
60th Anniversary Autographs Set Checklist
Autographed Reprints Set Checklist
RA-AK Al Kaline EXCH
RA-AM Andrew McCutchen
RA-AS Al Schoendienst
RA-BA Bob Addis EXCH
RA-BB Bob Borkowski
RA-BD Bob Del Greco
RA-BF Bob Friend
RA-BK Bob Kuzava
RA-BK Bob Kelly
RA-BM Bobby Morgan
RA-BP Billy Pierce
RA-BS Bobby Shantz
RA-CB Cloyd Boyer
RA-CC Cliff Chambers
RA-CD Chuck Diering
RA-CE Carl Erskine
RA-CS Charlie Silvera
RA-DC Del Crandall
RA-DG Dick Groat
RA-DH Daniel Hudson
RA-DL Don Lenhardt
RA-DP Duane Pillette EXCH
RA-EE Ed Erautt
RA-ER Eddie Robinson
RA-EY Eddie Yost
RA-FC Fausto Carmona
RA-FJ Fergie Jenkins
RA-GC Gil Coan
RA-GH Grady Hatton EXCH
RA-GS George Spencer EXCH
RA-GZ George Zuverink
RA-HA Hank Aaron EXCH
RA-HJ Howie Judson
RA-HP Harry Perkowski EXCH
RA-ID Ivan Delock
RA-IK Ian Kinsler
RA-JA Joe Astroth
RA-JC Jerry Coleman
RA-JD Joe DeMaestri
RA-JG Johnny Groth
RA-JM Joe Morgan EXCH
RA-JP Joe Presko
RA-JP Johnny Pesky EXCH
RA-JS John Smoltz EXCH
RA-LB Lou Brissie
RA-LS Lou Sleater
RA-MB Matt Batts EXCH
RA-MG Myron Ginsberg EXCH
RA-MI Monte Irvin
RA-NG Ned Garver
RA-NR Nolan Ryan EXCH
RA-PS Pablo Sandoval
RA-RA Roberto Alomar EXCH
RA-RB Rocky Bridges EXCH
RA-RJ Randy Jackson
RA-RS Roy Smalley
RA-SK Sandy Koufax
RA-TL Ted Lepcio
RA-VL Vern Law
RA-VT Virgil Trucks
RA-WT Wayne Terwilliger
RA-WW Wally Westlake EXCH
RA-BMI Bob Miller
RA-CSI Curt Simmons
RA-DGE Dick Gernert
RA-JAN John Antonelli
RA-JGA Joe Garagiola
RA-RBR Ralph Branca
RA-RH1 Roy Halladay EXCH
RA-RSI Roy Sievers
RA-SMU Stan Musial
RA-TBA Tony Bartirome
Cloth Stickers Set Checklist
TCS2 Derek Jeter
TCS3 Buster Posey
TCS4 Felix Hernandez
TCS5 MIckey Mantle
TCS6 Cal Ripken Jr.
TCS7 Whitey Ford
TCS8 George Sisler
TCS9 Hanley Ramirez
TCS10 Stan Musial
TCS11 Jackie Robinson
TCS12 Ryan Howard
TCS13 Lou Gehrig
TCS14 Hunter Pence
TCS15 Mike Schmidt
TCS16 Nolan Ryan
TCS17 Duke Snider
TCS18 Reggie Jackson
TCS19 Alex Rodriguez
TCS20 David Wright
TCS21 Carl Crawford
TCS22 Troy Tulowitzki
TCS23 Victor Martinez
TCS24 Al Kaline
TCS25 Carlos Gonzalez
TCS27 Tris Speaker
TCS28 Evan Longoria
TCS29 Honus Wagner
TCS30 Babe Ruth
TCS31 Joey Votto
TCS32 Ty Cobb
TCS33 Cy Young
TCS34 Hank Aaron
TCS35 Chipper Jones
TCS36 Ichiro
TCS37 Roy Halladay
TCS38 Jason Heyward
TCS39 Joe Mauer
TCS40 Tim Lincecum
TCS41 Johnny Bench
TCS42 Miguel Cabrera
TCS43 Adrian Gonzalez
TCS44 Ryan Braun
TCS45 Robinson Cano
TCS46 Bob Gibson
TCS47 Tom Seaver
TCS48 Ryne Sandberg
TCS49 Albert Pujols
TCS50 Josh Hamilton
Rookies Set Checklist
TR2 Chris Sale
TR3 Brent Morel
TR4 Aroldis Chapman
TR5 Jeremy Hellickson
TR6 Jake McGee
TR7 Kyle Drabek
TR8 Craig Kimbrel
TR9 Mike Minor
TR10 Zach Britton
TR12 Brandon Beachy
TR13 Michael Pineda
TR14 Tsuyoshi Nishioka
TR16 Hank Conger
TR17 Domonic Brown
TR18 JP Arencibia
TR19 Corey Luebke
TR20 Brett Wallace
Stand-Ups Set Checklist
TS2 Ryan Zimmerman
TS3 Albert Pujols
TS4 Felix Hernandez
TS5 Tim Lincecum
TS6 Ryan Howard
TS7 Mariano Rivera
TS8 Jason Heyward
TS9 Ryan Braun
TS10 Hunter Pence
TS11 Miguel Cabrera
TS12 Adam Dunn
TS13 Kevin Youkilis
TS15 Carlos Gonzalez
TS16 Mike Stanton
TS17 Matt Kemp
TS18 Joe Mauer
TS19 Alex Rodriguez
TS20 Roy Halladay
TS21 Brooks Robinson
TS22 Hank Aaron
TS23 Mickey Mantle
TS24 Juan Marichal
TS25 Sandy Koufax
Venezuelan Set Checklist
TV2 Buster Posey
TV3 Felix Hernandez
TV4 Ryan Zimmerman
TV5 Chris Carpenter
TV6 Josh Johnson
TV7 Andrew McCutchen
TV8 Carlos Santana
TV9 David Wright
TV10 Troy Tulowitzki
TV11 Clayton Kershaw
TV12 David Price
TV13 Chipper Jones
TV15 Mark Teixeira
TV16 Jason Heyward
TV17 Joe Mauer
TV18 Starlin Castro
TV19 Adrian Gonzalez
TV20 Ryan Braun
TV21 Cliff Lee
TV22 Jose Bautista
TV23 Adam Dunn
TV24 Albert Pujols
TV25 Ian Kinsler
Giants Boxloaders Set Checklist
TG2 Buster Posey
TG3 Jason Heyward
TG4 Joe Mauer
TG5 Derek Jeter
TG6 Roy Halladay
TG7 Joey Votto
TG8 Ichiro
TG9 Miguel Cabrera
TG10 Mike Stanton
TG12 Josh Hamilton
TG13 Evan Longoria
TG14 Tim Lincecum
TG15 David Wright
TG16 Ryan Braun
TG17 Hanley Ramirez
TG18 Troy Tulowitzki
TG19 Carlos Santana
TG20 Vladimir Guerrero
Product Details
2011 Topps Lineage is an all-new baseball card offering that stirs up the ghosts of Topps cardboard past. From 1952 Topps reprint autographs to 1975 Topps 3D, Lineage takes collectors on a trip down memory lane this August. Each 24-pack hobby box delivers 2 autographs and 1 relic.
Release Date: August 15th, 2011
Box Configuration: 24- packs per box
Pack Price: NA
Product Type: Mid-End Baseball Card
Geared Toward: Topps collectors, fans of vintage card design, Collectors looking for something off the beaten path, collectors who enjoy products featuring players from multiple eras, Autographed card connoisseurs
What's In The Box (Hits):
- 2 Autographs (1 on-card)
- 1 Relic
Product Highlights/Details:
- The all-new Topps Lineage pays homage to Topps cards from the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's and 1980's.
- 200 card base set - 190 baseball stars spanning multiple eras and 10 All-Time Rookies.
- Parallels - Printing Plates, Canary Diamond cards, 1975 Minis, Diamond Anniversary and Platinum Diamond.
- Autographed reprint cards featuring vintage Topps card design - includes 1952 Topps reprint autographs
- Continuation of Topps' season long congratulatory Diamond Anniversary inscription autographs.
- Mini-relic set featuring 1975 design.
- Inserts include a modern take on old-time classics (at least 2 inserts per box, 4 rookies per box) - 1975 Topps 3-D, 70's style Topps Cloth Stickers, Topps Venezuelan (spanish variations), Topps Rookies and 1964 Topps Stand-ups.
- 1964 Topps Giants relic box-toppers
- 1975 jumbos relics - 25 different players compose the checklist with each being limited to just 25 copies. The patch versions will carry a print run of just 5. Early names on the jumbo relic checklist include Nolan Ryan, Joe Torre, Reggie Jackson, Willie Stargell and Willie McCovey.
- Early names on the reprint autograph checklist - Hank Aaron, Roy Halladay, Sandy Koufax, Joe Morgan, John Smoltz, Nolan Ryan and Stan Musial.
- 1952 Topps reprint autograph checklist - Yogi Berra, Duke Snider, Johnny Pesky (pesky's poll), Red Schoednienst, Joe Garagiola, Ralph Branca, Ike Davis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Logan Morrison, Ryan Zimmerman, Madison Bumgarner, Freddie Freeman, Buster Posey and more.
- 1975 relic checklist - Hank Aaron, Andre Dawson, Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Jason Heyward, Ichiro, Cal Ripken Jr, Stephen Strasburg, A-Rod, Roy Campanella, Prince Fielder, Carlton Fisk, Whitey Ford, Derek Jeter, Sandy Koufax, Mel Ott, Thurman Munson and more.
Preview Card Gallery:
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Jerry
Great set!
Replying to The Branca / Pesky question.
Branca exists.
Pesky does not.