The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered a classic among collectors and holds significant nostalgia for those who remember opening packs as children in the late 80s. Although not the most valuable set in the hobby, finding an unopened 1987 Topps pack today still holds thrill and excitement for collectors thanks to the mystery of what cards could be hiding inside. Let’s take a deeper look at these beloved cards and what finding an unopened pack from 1987 could mean for collectors today.
The 1987 Topps set was the 66th series of Topps baseball cards released and marked several milestones. It was the first year cards were issued with the new 1 3/8″ x 2 1/2″ size that remains the standard in the industry today. The set totaled 792 cards and included rookie cards for future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell. It also included the final cards issued for retiring legends like Pete Rose, Jim Palmer, and Steve Garvey.
Inside each wax pack from 1987, collectors could find 11 randomly inserted cardboard trading cards. The front of each card featured a color photo of a player in action along with their name, team, and statistics. The back provided more stats and a short career summary. Topps used this same basic template for decades, helping younger collectors easly transition to the hobby. Each 1987 Topps pack retailed for $1, a price point that helped the brand reach mainstream popularity.
Although not extremely valuable graded and on the secondary market today, 1987 Topps cards retain nostalgia because they represent childhood memories for a generation of fans and players who are now in their 40s and 50s. Finding an unopened pack time-warped to 1987 presents the excitement of not knowing which future stars or franchise faces may be revealed inside. Will there be a rookie fantasy pick? A favorite player? An error card? It’s the mystery that keeps collectors of all ages hunting for vintage sealed wax to this day.
The odds of finding an intact 1987 Topps unopened pack are low due to the set being over 30 years old. There are a few ways they surface occasionally. Some were purchased at release but forgotten about in attics or storage units for decades. Occasionally a former player or staff member from the 80s will put memorabilia up for sale, including sealed product. Industry insiders also buy out collections including unopened wax to later resell. Whenever one hits the market, it draws worldwide attention from collectors hoping for a blast from the past.
Graded gem mint 10 1987 Topps unopened wax recently sold on eBay for over $1,000, showing there is strong demand among enthusiasts when a sealed pack surfaces. But most find their way to PWCC Marketplace or Classic Auctions for thousands of dollars. Condition is key, as a worn pack with rounded edges will be considerably less valuable. Even lower grade wax holds value just for the opportunity to live out the 1987 experience again of not knowing which legends may emerge.
Besides the thrill of the vintage hunt, 1987 Topps packs remain desirable because the set is considered the apex of 1980s design with classic airbrushed photography and vibrant colors. Stats aren’t inflated and many stars were still in their primes. The timeless design also makes the cards easily recognizeable to modern collectors just starting out. For these reasons, finding an unsealed pack is like unwrapping a time capsule that immediately transports collectors back over 30 years.
The 1987 Topps baseball card set will always be beloved for capturing the tail end of a legendary era in the game. Finding an unopened wax pack presents a special experience that can’t truly be replicated. The mystery of the random insert combined nostalgia for simpler times is part of what fuels the hobby. As long as collectors remain, the chase for vintage sealed 1987 Topps will continue as one of the holy grails of the set.
