It’s a show that may seem like a curious choice for a set of modern trading cards. But without taking risks, it’s hard to grow. Enter 2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey. In retrospect, the risk may not have paid off at the time but that doesn’t mean that the set is a flop.
2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey Checklist Overview
Covering the first two seasons (or “series” as they’re referred to in the UK where the show was filmed), the base set has 126 cards. Although not massive, it is big enough that it was impossible to finish it with a single box. Combine that with a modest print run and there aren’t a lot of them out there.
Fronts have an elegant look with a full-bleed still taking up the top two-thirds of the card. This leaves natural space for the symbolic two-level logo, the name of the set and a caption. The complete package is a lot for a card front but they still maintain a level of elegance without being busy.
Backs offer a brief story synopsis along with a smaller second photo.
Downton Abbey isn’t a show with a lot of action, but the base set cover major story points and relationship dynamics.
Parallels aren’t new to Cryptozoic trading cards. However, their approach here is different from the usual foil. Every other pack has a mini version. The idea being these mimic trading cards found during the time the show was set some 100 years in the past. That means tobacco cards.
Autographs, Memorabilia Cards and Other Inserts
2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey hobby boxes have both an autograph and a memorabilia card.
The signature checklist includes 14 signers. With such a large cast, many of the leads are missing but there are still some solid names. Leading the way are Michelle Dockery and Jessica Brown Findlay. Both are tough finds on the secondary market today.
Wardrobe Cards come with pieces of material used to make various costume pieces. Eleven are available in packs, five of which are dual memorabilia cards. The set’s binder has an additional card from Lady Edith Crawley’s evening dress.
Sketch Cards are available but they’re extremely tough, falling 1:595 packs. There are also Mini Sketch Cards that are even rarer at 1:1,674 packs.
Other inserts include separate Downstairs and Upstairs sets. These are essentially character cards for both the residents of Downton Abbey and the staff. Cards from each set are 1:12 packs.
At War rounds out the set. These nine cards look at the side stories of characters’ time in the trenches during World War I.
Although specific numbers weren’t released, 2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey print run appears to be on the small side. It didn’t take long for boxes and key cards to largely dry up on the secondary market. They’re out there, but it might take a little time and effort to find what you’re looking for.
A promo card for a planned Seasons 3 and 4 set followed in 2015. However, the release was cancelled and another set of Downton Abbey trading cards has never been made.
2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey Checklist
Set size: 126 cards
Cards per pack: 5
Packs per box: 24
Boxes per case: 12
Release date: April 16, 2014
Shop for 2014 Cryptozoic Downton Abbey boxes on eBay.
Base Set Checklist
126 cards.
Buy on eBay:
1 The News Spreads
2 The House Awakens
3 Complications
4 Question of Ability
5 An Unexpected Welcome
6 Opportune Visitor
7 Line of Inquiry
8 An Ill Wind
9 What’s Right
10 Heir Apparent
11 Mrs. Crawly and Lady Grantham
12 Seeking a Place
13 A Chance at Life
14 Sibling Rivalry
15 Cause for Celebration
16 Prospects for Mary
17 Lively Gathering
18 The Hunt Commences
19 Turkish Relations
20 Kind Inquiry
21 Traveling Show
22 A Deep Wound
23 Planning for Mary
24 Night Out for Mrs. Hughes
25 Display of Independence
26 Battle for Attention
27 Cast Aside
28 A Question of Pride
29 Co-Conspirators
30 A Laughing Matter
31 Beautiful Bloom
32 Liberal Sybil
33 Slip of the Tongue
34 The Count
35 Ready for a Fight
36 Push and Shove
37 Putting on Airs
38 Mr. Bates Returns
39 Matthew Returns
40 White Feather
41 Downstairs Rivalry
42 Heartfelt Goodbye
43 Lady Sybil the Baker
44 Forced Away
45 Earnest Confessions
46 A Disappointing Evening
47 Ready and Able
48 Sentiment
49 Party Arrival
50 A Little Rusty
51 A Realistic Point of View
52 Too Much for Mr. Carson
53 Persuasion
54 Lavinia’s Troubles
55 Edith’s Indiscretion
56 The Pains of War
57 A Proposal of Function
58 A Stolen Kiss
59 Unanswered Prayers
60 Political Talk
61 Changing at Downton
62 A Proper Welcome
63 Battle on Home Soil
64 Questionable
65 Soup Interrupted
66 A Humble Proposal
67 A Discussion of Options
68 Idle Hands
69 Odd Places
70 A Way Out
71 Soup Kitchen
72 Special Storage
73 Through Tough Times
74 Bad Pennies
75 A Joyful Evening
76 Indiscretions
77 Superstition
78 Caring for the Wounded
79 A Time for Prayer
80 A Woman Scorned
81 Preparing for Matthew
82 Plea from William
83 All the Arrangements
84 Turning Tables
85 Mrs. Crawley Returns
86 Lonely Lunch
87 November 11th
88 A Shocking Letter
89 Back to Normal
90 Help for Ethel
91 Wounderful News
92 A New Home for Mary
93 Matthew and Lavinia
94 A Protective Mother
95 Mr. and Mrs. Bryant
96 Cold Reception
97 The New Gramophone
98 Mr. and Mrs. Bates
99 Jane’s Departure
100 Ashes to Ashes
101 A Father’s Blessing
102 Trouble Downstairs
103 Happy Christmas
104 Planning a Shoot
105 Wish and a Prayer
106 Life Is a Game of Charades
107 Matthew’s Rescue
108 Sorrow and Joy
109 In the Shadows
110 Trying to Help
111 Laying Mr. Swire to Rest
112 The Truth Revealed
113 Save the Date
114 Plea from Matthew
115 The Right Time
116 Damning Testimonial
117 Guilty Verdict
118 Breaking It Off
119 A Lesson in Propriety
120 A Lovely Waltz
121 Devious Duo
122 Good Advice
123 Plot Exposed
124 Change in Plans
125 Drawing to a Close
126 Checklist
Mini Parallels
125 cards.
1:2 packs.
CCC-1 The News Spreads
CCC-2 The House Awakens
CCC-3 Complications
CCC-4 Question of Ability
CCC-5 An Unexpected Welcome
CCC-6 Opportune Visitor
CCC-7 Line of Inquiry
CCC-8 An Ill Wind
CCC-9 What’s Right
CCC-10 Heir Apparent
CCC-11 Mrs. Crawly and Lady Grantham
CCC-12 Seeking a Place
CCC-13 A Chance at Life
CCC-14 Sibling Rivalry
CCC-15 Cause for Celebration
CCC-16 Prospects for Mary
CCC-17 Lively Gathering
CCC-18 The Hunt Commences
CCC-19 Turkish Relations
CCC-20 Kind Inquiry
CCC-21 Traveling Show
CCC-22 A Deep Wound
CCC-23 Planning for Mary
CCC-24 Night Out for Mrs. Hughes
CCC-25 Display of Independence
CCC-26 Battle for Attention
CCC-27 Cast Aside
CCC-28 A Question of Pride
CCC-29 Co-Conspirators
CCC-30 A Laughing Matter
CCC-31 Beautiful Bloom
CCC-32 Liberal Sybil
CCC-33 Slip of the Tongue
CCC-34 The Count
CCC-35 Ready for a Fight
CCC-36 Push and Shove
CCC-37 Putting on Airs
CCC-38 Mr. Bates Returns
CCC-39 Matthew Returns
CCC-40 White Feather
CCC-41 Downstairs Rivalry
CCC-42 Heartfelt Goodbye
CCC-43 Lady Sybil the Baker
CCC-44 Forced Away
CCC-45 Earnest Confessions
CCC-46 A Disappointing Evening
CCC-47 Ready and Able
CCC-48 Sentiment
CCC-49 Party Arrival
CCC-50 A Little Rusty
CCC-51 A Realistic Point of View
CCC-52 Too Much for Mr. Carson
CCC-53 Persuasion
CCC-54 Lavinia’s Troubles
CCC-55 Edith’s Indiscretion
CCC-56 The Pains of War
CCC-57 A Proposal of Function
CCC-58 A Stolen Kiss
CCC-59 Unanswered Prayers
CCC-60 Political Talk
CCC-61 Changing at Downton
CCC-62 A Proper Welcome
CCC-63 Battle on Home Soil
CCC-64 Questionable
CCC-65 Soup Interrupted
CCC-66 A Humble Proposal
CCC-67 A Discussion of Options
CCC-68 Idle Hands
CCC-69 Odd Places
CCC-70 A Way Out
CCC-71 Soup Kitchen
CCC-72 Special Storage
CCC-73 Through Tough Times
CCC-74 Bad Pennies
CCC-75 A Joyful Evening
CCC-76 Indiscretions
CCC-77 Superstition
CCC-78 Caring for the Wounded
CCC-79 A Time for Prayer
CCC-80 A Woman Scorned
CCC-81 Preparing for Matthew
CCC-82 Plea from William
CCC-83 All the Arrangements
CCC-84 Turning Tables
CCC-85 Mrs. Crawley Returns
CCC-86 Lonely Lunch
CCC-87 November 11th
CCC-88 A Shocking Letter
CCC-89 Back to Normal
CCC-90 Help for Ethel
CCC-91 Wounderful News
CCC-92 A New Home for Mary
CCC-93 Matthew and Lavinia
CCC-94 A Protective Mother
CCC-95 Mr. and Mrs. Bryant
CCC-96 Cold Reception
CCC-97 The New Gramophone
CCC-98 Mr. and Mrs. Bates
CCC-99 Jane’s Departure
CCC-100 Ashes to Ashes
CCC-101 A Father’s Blessing
CCC-102 Trouble Downstairs
CCC-103 Happy Christmas
CCC-104 Planning a Shoot
CCC-105 Wish and a Prayer
CCC-106 Life Is a Game of Charades
CCC-107 Matthew’s Rescue
CCC-108 Sorrow and Joy
CCC-109 In the Shadows
CCC-110 Trying to Help
CCC-111 Laying Mr. Swire to Rest
CCC-112 The Truth Revealed
CCC-113 Save the Date
CCC-114 Plea from Matthew
CCC-115 The Right Time
CCC-116 Damning Testimonial
CCC-117 Guilty Verdict
CCC-118 Breaking It Off
CCC-119 A Lesson in Propriety
CCC-120 A Lovely Waltz
CCC-121 Devious Duo
CCC-122 Good Advice
CCC-123 Plot Exposed
CCC-124 Change in Plans
CCC-125 Drawing to a Close
Autographs Checklist
14 cards.
1:24 packs.
A1 Jim Carter as Mr. Carson
A2 Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley
A3 Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes
A4 Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O’Brien
A5 Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason
A6 Thomas Howes as William Mason
A7 Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley
A8 Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley
A9 Joanne Froggatt as Anna Smith
A10 Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow
A11 Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore
A12 Zoe Boyle as Lavinia Swire
A13 Iain Glen as Sir Richard Carlisle
A14 Allen Leech as Tom Branson
Wardrobe Material Cards Checklist
7 cards.
1:24 packs combined with Wardrobe Dual Material.
W07 exclusive to set’s binder and not in packs.
W01 Lady Edith Crawley’s Evening Dress
W02 Sarah O’Brien’s Black Dress
W03 Mrs. Patmore’s Linen Shirt
W04 Lady Mary Crawley’s Dress
W05 Lady Cora Crawley’s Dress
W06 Lady Mary Crawley’s Dress
W07 Lady Edith Crawley’s Evening Dress – Binder
Wardrobe Dual Material Cards Checklist
5 cards.
1:24 packs combined with Wardrobe Material.
DW01 Lady Edith Crawley and Lady Mary Crawley
DW02 Lady Cora Crawley and Lady Mary Crawley
DW03 Lady Cora Crawley and Lady Edith Crawley
DW04 Sarah O’Brien and Mrs. Patmore
DW05 Lady Cora Crawley and Sarah O’Brien
At War Checklist
9 cards.
1:12 packs.
WWI-1 Somme, 1916
WWI-2 Lucky Charm
WWI-3 Corporal Barrow
WWI-4 Promotion to Captain
WWI-5 William Is Drafted
WWI-6 Battle of Amiens
WWI-7 Saving Matthew
WWI-8 Injury on the Frontline
WWI-9 A Somber Prognosis
Downstairs Checklist
12 cards.
1:12 packs.
DWN-1 Mr. Carson
DWN-2 Mrs. Hughes
DWN-3 Miss O’Brien
DWN-4 Anna Bates
DWN-5 Mrs. Patmore
DWN-6 Daisy Mason
DWN-7 Thomas Barrow
DWN-8 Tom Branson
DWN-9 Ethel
DWN-10 Gwen
DWN-11 William Mason
DWN-12 Mr. Bates
Mini Sketch Cards Checklist
4 artists.
1:1,674 packs.
David Desbois
John Haun
Chris Meeks
Gabby Untermaterova
Sketch Cards Checklist
10 artists.
1:595 packs.
Dan Bergren
David Desbois
Sam (SLH) Hogg
Chris Meeks
M. Jason Reed
Richard Salvucci
Allison Sohn
Cat Staggs
Bob Stevlic
Brad Utterstrom
Upstairs Checklist
12 cards.
1:12 packs.
UP-1 Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
UP-2 Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
UP-3 Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
UP-4 Lady Mary Crawley
UP-5 Matthew Crawley
UP-6 Lady Sybil Crawley
UP-7 Lady Edith Crawley
UP-8 Isobel Crawley
UP-9 Lady Rosamund Painswick
UP-10 Tom Branson
UP-11 Lavinia Swire
UP-12 Sir Richard Carlisle
Promo Cards Checklist
P1 Cast Non-Sport Update (December 2013/January 2014, UK Memorabilia Show Variant) (Print Run: 300)
P2 Cast – Metal Version Non-Sport Update (December 2013/January 2014, UK Memorabilia Show Variant) (Print Run: 100)
