The 1985 TCMA baseball card set is one of the most unique and collectible sets from the 1980s. Inside this article, we will take an in-depth look at the history and production of these cards as well as what makes them so special to collectors today.
TCMA stands for Topps Chewing Gum Company of Montreal and owned the Canadian printing license for Topps Baseball cards from 1962 through 1990. In 1985, TCMA produced their own original card set instead of just reprinting the Topps set like previous years. They featured 350 players across 330 cards with duplicates of popular stars. The designs and photography were completely separate from Topps as well with some very iconic and memorable images.
One of the big draws to the 1985 TCMA set is the interesting assortment of players featured. With it being an original set not tied to Topps licenses, TCMA was able to include players who were not in the main Topps set that year such as Willie McGee who would go on to win the National League MVP and batting title that season. Others like Roy Smalley, Ozzie Virgil, and Phil Garner all garnered significant playing time in 1985 but were left out of Topps in favor of bigger stars. For collectors, having a more complete representation of the 1985 season makes TCMA very desirable.
In addition to more comprehensive rosters, the photography and card designs themselves have become a big part of the appeal over the years. Many consider the 1985 TCMA set to have some of the best action shots of any vintage card issue. Players are frequently caught in the middle of swings, throws, and great defensive plays. Iconic images exist of the likes of Rickey Henderson, Don Mattingly, and Wade Boggs that collectors love. The minimalist blue and white color scheme along with thick horizontal borders give the cards a very clean and vintage baseball card aesthetic as well.
One quirk of the 1985 TCMA set that collectors find interesting is that despite being an original issue, the card numbering still closely follows that year’s Topps pattern. The first 350 or so cards exactly match the player order and numbers from Topps before diverting afterwards. This allowed for easy player identification between the two sets in 1985 but creates a more peculiar collecting and organizational experience today. It’s an unconventional choice but one that defines the crossed identity of 1985 TCMA cards.
When it comes to the rarity and value of individual 1985 TCMA cards, there exist some notable variations. Overall production numbers for the set are not precisely known but are thought to number around 2 million packs with multiple cards per pack. As such, most regular base cards can be found in bien conditions for $1-5. Short prints and rookie cards demand higher premiums, however. The star rookie of Don Mattingly is among the most expensive individual cards at $100-300 depending on grade. Other rookies like Barry Larkin and Bret Saberhagen also rank highly. Even more scarce are error cards which only accelerate prices further. For example, an error card showing Eddie Murray in an Expos uniform instead of Orioles would likely fetch over $1000 today.
Condition, of course, is vital when evaluating 1985 TCMA cards for potential value and collectibility. As an original Canadian issue, the cards were printed on a thinner stock paper compared to Topps and tended to be more susceptible to chipping, creasing or wear over time. Gems or near mint copies in the 7-9 grading range can sell for 5-10X what a well-loved copy might. And pristine mint 10’s as graded by services like PSA are true treasures that would likely not be found for sale anymore after 35+ years of collecting handling them. Overall the collecting community has embraced preserving these unique snapshots of the 1985 season.
In the end, what makes 1985 TCMA cards such a beloved subset among vintage collectors is their interesting history as an original Canadian issue, memorable photography, and representation of a truly unique moment in baseball cards independent of Topps licensing. While production numbers were high, finding choice examples in top condition only enhances their appeal. Whether chasing rookie stars, errors, or just completing play-by-plays of the ’85 season, this set created by TCMA in Montreal holds a special place in the history of baseball cards that continues to be discovered and embraced by collectors today.
