1989 was one of the most memorable years for baseball card collectors and enthusiasts alike for one major reason – it was the final year of production for Topps’ iconic “wax pack” baseball cards. After having been a staple in the collectibles hobby for decades, 1989 marked the end of an era as Topps transitioned to mass producing cards on cardboard sheets instead of in wax wrappers. They decided to go out with a bang by including an innovative new feature in their flagship 1989 set – pockets on the backs of cards that could swell to different sizes when inserted with different items. Thus, the 1989 Topps baseball swell card set was born.
Topps took things to a whole new level with this creative concept that allowed collectors to personalize their cards in unique ways. Each traditional cardboard printed card included a small clear plastic pocket glued to the back that could hold various included inserts like stats banners, team logos, 3D images of player heads, and more. Kids and adults alike had a blast seeing which pockets expanded the most when inserting different thickness inserts. Some cards literally doubled in size once filled out! It really brought the cards to life in a whole new interactive way.
Naturally, the swell card feature took off in popularity immediately upon the 1989 Topps baseball release. Kids couldn’t get enough of endlessly mixing and matching inserts behind their favorite players like Roger Clemens, Ken Griffey Jr., and Barry Bonds. It got them more engaged in the cards than ever before. Since each insert was only used once per card, it created tons of variety in how each card could look. No two Kenny Lofton cards were exactly alike depending on what was placed behind his image. This sense of variability and customization really added exciting new collecting and trade value aspects to the entire 1989 set.
While the innovative feature was a hit with collectors, it did create some production challenges for Topps. Guaranteeing a tight seal on each card’s plastic pocket required more meticulous quality control during manufacturing. Some pockets were known to leak or pop open over time if not glued and constructed perfectly, which could damage inserts. Topps had to be extremely careful not to compromise the structural integrity of each individual card. It also meant inserting over 1,000 unique items like banners and logos behind roughly 700 player cards – a massive undertaking.
Not every 1989 Topps baseball swell card holds excessive value today on the secondary market like iconic rookies of Gregg Jefferies, Randy Johnson, or Juan Gonzalez. Their historical significance as the last wax pack issues as well as pioneering the pocket concept gives virtually all in high grade a moderate price. Gem mint condition Ken Griffey Jr., Kirby Puckett, and Cal Ripken Jr. cards routinely sell for hundreds due to their rarity surviving in pristine condition over 30 years later. Filled out cards with rare inserts tend to demand even more premiums from specialized collectors.
While experimental in nature, Topps’ 1989 baseball swell card set proved wildly imaginative and popular upon release. It successfully brought new life and customization possibilities to the standard baseball card while also preserving the nostalgia of the traditional wax pack experience one final time. Their creative gamble paid off by enhancing collector engagement like never before. Even decades later, 1989 Topps remains one of the most iconic issues ever due to breaking the mold with pockets on the backs. It was truly the high water mark of baseball card innovation before the advent of the modern era.
