The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable full sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s. Though individual cards from this set do not command huge prices on their own, completing the full 660 card set can be quite the challenge and hold significant collector value.
Released in 1987 at the peak of the baseball card boom, Topps printed runs in the tens if not hundreds of millions for most cards in the set. Due to the sheer size of the set and sheer number of cards distributed, it is still challenging to track down all 660 different cards to complete the collection.
Condition is crucial when evaluating the value of a 1987 Topps set. In well-centered, near mint condition, a full master set could garner $2,000-$3,000 today. Most full sets surfacing on the secondary market are in worn, played condition and often sell in the $500-$1,000 range. Any sets containing flaws like creases, corners cuts or surfaces scratches would be worth even less.
Some key details that define the 1987 Topps baseball card set and influence its collector value include:
Set size: A massive 660 total cards, making it one of the largest Topps flagships ever produced. This large count drives up the challenge and scarcity of completing the set.
Design: Switching to a simplified design after the elaborate graphics of 1986, most 1987 cards showcase a large centered player photo with team logo and stats below.
Rarity factors: Aside from the set completion aspect, there are no true short prints or flaws driving up individual card prices. Star rookies like Frank Thomas and Mark McGwire gained value over time.
Production: According to Beckett Almanac, Topps printed an estimated 150 million packs of 1987 baseball cards to meet unprecedented hobby demand. This “junk wax” era overproduction drives down individual card values today.
Checklists: The flagship set included separate checklists and managers/coaches cards adding to the overall count. Finding all variations takes dedication.
Parallels: With no true parallels, the standard 660 card base set remains the primary focus for completing a full collection.
Rookie cards: Future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas and Craig Biggio had their rookie cards in the 1987 set amongst others like Mark McGwire. These help maintain interest in the set long-term.
One thing augmenting the collector demand for a full 1987 Topps set is nostalgia for players from that era. Stars like McGwire, Thomas, Biggio and more trigger childhood memories for Gen X collectors who grew up with the cards. With the junk wax era largely in the past, appreciation grows for completing sets that were once derided as worthless.
The 1987 Topps set marks one of the final mainstream sports card productions before the 1990s collapse. So it serves as a bookend for that speculative period. Having a fully intact example allows collectors to tangibly reconnect with that era.
Of course, like any other vintage wax product, condition and care taken with the set strongly impact monetary worth. But for the dedicated collector, a pristine 1987 Topps master collection could elevate to $3,000 with all the right appeal factors in play. Factor in inflation over future decades and the set may stabilize as a notable vintage achievement. So while individual cards hold little value, acquiring the full 660 card puzzle takes dedication and yields long term collector satisfaction.
While 1987 Topps cards sparked the beginning of the junk wax era glut, the cumbersome task of completing the giant 660 card set can still resonate significantly with collectors even today. Strong condition examples bringing nostalgia and a full picture of that historical production period will remain highly valued vintage baseball memorabilia for dedicated enthusiasts.
