The 1988 Topps baseball card set was unique in that it included “Big” versions of the base cards. These oversized cards stood out not only because of their larger size compared to standard issues cards, but also because they featured original artwork on the fronts rather than traditional photographs of the players. The Big Card subset from the 1988 Topps set is highly sought after by collectors today due its creative designs and limited print run.
At 3 1⁄2 inches by 5 inches, the 1988 Topps Big Cards were significantly larger than a standard baseball card, which is 2 1⁄2 inches by 3 1⁄2 inches. This allowed for more artistic expression on the fronts compared to the photo-centric approach taken on the main 1988 Topps base set. Each Big Card featured an original illustration of the player along with their name and team written in an ornate banner across the top. The illustrative style gave each card a one-of-a-kind look and collectors appreciated the change in format from the basic photography used on normal issues.
The set included Big Cards for 36 of the game’s biggest stars at the time such as Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, and Darryl Strawberry. Topps commissioned several artists known for sports illustrations including Allen Morrison, William Pennington, Shawn Stasiak, and Tom Czap. Each artist brought their own unique stylings to the cards, with Pennington taking a cartoonish approach and Morrison focusing more on realistic depictions. The variety in artistic expression added to collectors’ enjoyment in compiling a complete Big Card set.
In addition to the illustrated fronts, the backs of the 1988 Topps Big Cards contained the standard statistical and biographical information found on regular issues. The data was presented in a stylized banner format across the large card size that gave the write-ups a truly one-of-a-kind collector’s item feel. The photo of each player that usually appeared on the back side was replaced by their name in block text since the fronts already prominently featured an illustration over a blank background.
When 1988 Topps Big Cards were originally released by the Topps Company, they received wide acclaim for breaking the mold of traditional cardboard. While the set was sold alongside the regular 1988 Topps baseball card release, its limited print run of just 60 cards per player (compared to over 300 for regular issues) meant demand quickly outstripped supply. Only a fraction of the 4+ million series 1 packs that included the 1988 Topps base cards and Big Card subset contained one of the prized oversized cards. This scarcity has driven prices steadily higher in the collector marketplace over the decades.
In the late 1980s, a 1988 Topps Big Card in pristine “mint” condition could be purchased directly from the original pack for the same $0.25-0.50 that a normal issue cost. Preserved examples rapidly became quite valuable as enthusiasts and investors recognized the historic significance and artistic merit of Topps’ attempt at shaking up the standard formula. Graded mint condition samples can now sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the player featured. Certain superstar cards have exceedingly reached the $10,000 price point when offered by reputable auction houses.
Along with their extensive size, creative illustrations, and limited availability compared to the standard 1988 Topps baseball cards, the overall excellent condition of surviving examples contributes greatly to their investment desirability today. Because the Big Cards were preserved far more diligently right from the initial release period, finding one with truly perfect centering, edges and corners is significantly tougher compared than a typical 1988 Topps issue in the same condition. This scarcity of pristine specimens preserves strong financial demand even as the subset approaches its 35th anniversary.
In the years since, Topps has dabbled with oversized cards in later sets but never to the degree of focus and artistry found in the 1988 Big Card subset. It showed collectors appreciate experimenting with non-traditional designs beyond the typical format that had by then been standardized in the industry for decades. The artistic expressions on 1988 Topps Big Cards still mesmerize fans with their one-of-a-kind portrayals of baseball’s greatest stars from that era. They remain an iconic milestone in the progression of the modern baseball card collecting hobby.
