The 1987 Kmart baseball card set is notable for being one of the more popular and valuable modern sets released in the 1980s. Produced by the Fleer Corporation under license from Kmart, the 1987 Kmart cards saw wide distribution through Kmart retail stores. With solid photography and design elements that captured the nostalgia of the classic baseball cards of the past, the 1987 Kmart set drew in collectors both young and old.
The 1987 Kmart set featured 660 total cards including veteran stars, rookie cards, and minor leaguers. Notable rookies in the set included Barry Larkin, Darren Daulton, and Mark McGwire among others. Key veterans featured included Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan. The base card design was clean and classic with a thick white border surrounding each player photo. Statistics and career highlights were neatly included on the reverse.
Packs of 1987 Kmart cards retailed for $1.49 each and contained 11 cards including one “star” insert card. The popular “Diamond Kings” parallel insert set featured 32 rare gold foil cards highlighting the games biggest stars. Kmart also produced contest and oddball promotional cards to drive additional collector interest. Overall distribution was massive given Kmart’s nationwide retail presence at the time.
As the late 1980s collector boom took hold, demand grew for the readily available 1987 Kmart cards. Prices started to rise in the early 1990s as the cards became more sought after by both newer collectors and those experiencing nostalgia for their childhood Kmart cards. The Barry Larkin and Mark McGwire rookie cards in particular caught on as those two players’ careers blossomed. By the mid-1990s CGC-graded Larkin and McGwire rookies from 1987 Kmart routinely sold for over $100.
In the late 1990s, as the financial state of Kmart declined, nostalgia grew heavier for products linked to the fading retailer. The 1987 Kmart set continued its rise in collector interest and secondary market prices. Mint condition Starry Night parallel inserts easily cleared $500 and up. Popular veterans like Wade Boggs and Ozzie Smith regularly sold for over $50 in top grades as fans remembered collecting them as kids. 1987 was also a high point in the careers for players like Don Mattingly, adding further nostalgia and demand.
By the 2000s, prices leveled off from the 1990s boom but still held steady given the large collector base that had amassed sets over the prior decade plus. CGC-graded 1987 Kmart Barry Larkin rookies typically ranged from $300-$500 depending on exact grade. Mark McGwire rookie prices followed a similar trend. Near-complete common star and veteran sets routinely sold on eBay for $100-250. Regional variations and oddball promotional cards started fetching premiums of 2x-5x common prices.
In the 2010s, the vintage baseball card market started rapidly rebounding, and the 1987 Kmart set participated fully. Mint Barry Larkin and Mark McGwire rookies crossed $1000 average sale prices. Complete common star/veteran sets jumped to $500-1000 averages. Near-Gem Starry Night parallels approached $2000 levels. Strong mint graded Ozzie Smith and Wade Boggs veteran cards hit the $150-$250 mark. The combination nostalgia for 1980s sets and undervalued pricing spurred heavy renewed demand. The massive 1987 Kmart print run remained widely available to fuel this resurgence.
As we look to the 2020s, the continued strength in the vintage market gives no signs of slowing for the classic 1987 Kmart set. Younger collectors who grew up with the expansive late 80s/early 90s card boom have reached their peak earnings years and flood the market looking to recapture childhood favorites. Simultaneously, those who collected the original 1987 Kmart release as kids remain active in the hobby enjoying reliving their nostalgia. Values will surely continue appreciating steadily across all star rookies and key veterans from this seminal late 1980s issue as its place in cardboard history is cemented. Investors would be wise to snap up affordable high-grade examples while availabilities still exist before the inevitable price spikes of the coming decade.
The 1987 Kmart baseball card set checks all the boxes for a true blue-chip vintage investment going forward – iconic rookie stars, beloved veterans, nostalgia appeal, huge original print run ensuring availability long-term, and a built-in multi-generational collector base driving sustained demand. Any mint condition star cards one can acquire today will likely triple or quadruple in the next 5-10 years. For collectors and investors alike, the 1987 Kmart baseball cards represent an excellent choice to hold long-term and watch rewards steadily accumulate with the passing of time.
