The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage issues in the hobby. Produced by Topps, the 1987 set marked the company’s 30th year as the exclusive MLB trading card license holder. That anniversary is reflected in several subtle ways throughout the design. The set includes cards for all 26 MLB teams at the time and features 728 total cards after accounting for player cards, manager cards, team cards, and logos/miscellaneous inserts.
For the 1987 design, Topps went with a classic photographic look with colorful borders and team logo accents. Each player’s headshot photo was placed atop a colored panel matching their team’s colors. The player’s name and position were listed in large white capital letters below along with their season stats for 1986. One noticeable aspect of the photocard design was the absence of any team name identifiers on the front. This led to some confusion for collectors at the time trying to identify players without flipping the card over.
On the back of each card, Topps provided a career stat summary for each player along with a short paragraph biography. These write-ups chronicled highlights from their professional and personal lives. The 30th anniversary logo was subtly incorporated into the artwork behind the stats panels. Serial number sequencing on the front bottom left and the classic Topps logo remained unchanged from prior years. Many consider the clean and colorful 1987 design as one that has aged exceptionally well over the decades.
Some key subsets and inserts from the 1987 Topps baseball card set that added value and variety included All-Star Cards, League Leaders, Team Leaders, Manager Cards, and Team Checklists. The massive roster of future Hall of Famers captured on their 1987 Topps rookie cards or early career issues also contributes to the set’s enduring popularity among collectors. Players like Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Dennis Eckersley, and Mark McGwire gained early popularity thanks to their distinctive 1987 rookie cards.
The chase for the highly coveted Mike Schmidt record breakerParallel card was also in full effect in 1987 packs. Schmidt’s parallel card commemorated him breaking Mike Schmidt’s all-time home run record in 1986. The 1984 Donruss error card of Ken Griffey Jr. as a member of the Mariners instead of the Braves also made its retail debut as part of the 1987 Topps set. Both parallel and error cards are notoriously difficult to acquire and command big values today.
Condition and centering quality varies widely across the massive 1987 Topps issue due to the sheer print run needed to meet demand. Mint condition Gem Mint 10 example sell for hundreds to over $1000 depending on the player rookie or star status. Even well-centered near Mint cards usually trade in the $5-25 range on the mid-tier player level. The coveted sealed wax boxes have also risen sharply in secondary market interest and pricing in recent years.
In terms of sheer volume, 1987 Topps remains one of the most widely produced modern issues ever created. The accessibility and affordability of full sets, stars, and rookie cards have kept it entrenched as a backbone vintage in the hobby for collectors of all budgets and experience levels. The anniversary stamp of the 30th year only adds to the sense of nostalgia and history 1987 Topps trading cards continue to evoke for baseball card collectors and enthusiasts. As the industry and marketplace evolve, the 1987 Topps baseball card set endures as a true icon of the sport and collecting world. Its widespread appeal spans multiple generations who grew up with these memorable cardboard characters.
In closing, few vintage issues can match the combination of design aesthetics, roster inclusions, chasing fun, and overall enthusiasm still surrounding the 1987 Topps baseball cards to this day. Whether piecing together a full rainbow certified set, hunting vintage stars, or just reminiscing about a decade that shaped the sport – 1987 Topps provides it all. The magnitude of its initial print run and the lasting popularity of Hall of Fame talents enshrined as rookies make it an landmark release that fostered many lifelong collectors. Thirty years after celebrating its anniversary within the product, 1987 Topps remains a pillar and fan favorite in the vibrant world of baseball memorabilia collecting.
