The 1988 Topps Big Baseball card set was unique for its oversized baseball cards that featured larger photographs and more vivid colors than standard size cards of the era. While not the most famous or popular set from the late 1980s, the 1988 Topps Big cards have developed a strong cult following among collectors thanks to the eye-catching aesthetics and select scarce short printed cards that can be worth a lot today.
The 1988 Topps Big set contains 264 total cards and was issued as an oversized premium product alongside Topps’ normal sized flagship release. At about twice the size of a standard card, the Big cards stood out with their much larger 2.5 x 3.5 inch size. This allowed for bright vivid photographs that really popped compared to the cramped images found on typical cards from the 1980s.
On the design side, the front of each 1988 Topps Big card featured the enlarged colorful team photo along with the player’s name, position, team, and vital stats printed in bold font below. The team logo also appeared on the front. The backs provided stats and a career retrospective but in a simple clean layout that didn’t clutter the large surface area.
Several factors have led to rising values for some of the toughest 1988 Topps Big cards to find in high grade over the past decade. The flagship set never reached the popularity of certain years but its impressive visuals have gained appreciation since. Also, the large card sizes mean they are less likely to have sustained wear and tear compared to typical cards.
Here are some of the most valuable and desirable 1988 Topps Big Baseball cards on the high-end of the collector market today:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie (Card #1) – Considered one of the premier rookie cards of all-time, Griffey’s imposing first card in the set is the undisputed crown jewel. High graded examples in Gem Mint 10 condition have been known to surpass $10,000. Even well-centered near-perfect copies still command $3,000+.
Ozzie Smith (Card #12) – As one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball history and a 13-time Gold Glover, Ozzie Smith’s iconic jump throw photo on this card is legendary. High grades can reach $1,500 due to strong demand from Smith collectors.
Barry Larkin Rookie (Card #49) – The smooth all-around shortstop Barry Larkin had his first rookie card issued here in 1988 Topps Big. High grade copies have climbed up near the $900-1,000 range today.
Tom Glavine Rookie (Card #63) – One of the elite pitchers of the 1990s, Tom Glavine dazzled for the Atlanta Braves in a dominant career. His impressive rookie card typically sells in the $400-600 range for top condition pieces.
Ken Caminiti Rookie (Card #156) – Before winning the 1996 National League MVP award, Ken Caminiti had his rookie card debut in this set. Well-centered Mint 9 copies recently auctioned above $350.
Cal Ripken Jr. (Card #207) – Considered one of the most consistent ironman players ever, Cal Ripken’s durable career resulted in this card retaining steady interest. Near-Mint 8.5+ versions commonly sell between $225-275.
Darren Daulton Rookie (Card #245) – As the longtime Philadelphia Phillies catcher, Darren Daulton led some talented squads. His rookie from 1988 Topps Big has gained more attention in recent years, with pristine copies now reaching $200.
While the 1988 Topps Big set overall is not as heralded as some 1980s inserts, certain desirable rookie cards and star player photographs have grown in esteem among collectors. The large vivid image size is also preferable to many versus smaller standard cards from that era. As a result, the most valuable 1988 Topps Big cards centered around rookies of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Smith, and Glavine regularly appear in online auctions fetching strong prices. For devoted vintage collectors, finding high grade copies of these prized cards remains the ultimate chase.
