The 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars Baseball Cards were a unique promotional set issued exclusively through the Kmart retail chain. At a time when baseball card collecting was nearing its peak popularity, Topps found a new way to produce insert sets tailored specifically to certain retailers. The resulting 75-card 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars set showcased some of the biggest names in the game at the time in a large-sized, high-grade cardboard format.
Each card in the 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars set measured approximately 3.5″ x 5″, significantly larger than standard baseball cards of the late 1980s and early 1990s which were typically around 2.5″ x 3.5″. The oversized cards allowed for vivid color photos and larger illustrations. Instead of the traditional glossy finish, the cards had a matte cardboard texture. On the front of each card was a lively action photo of the player along with their name, team, and 1980s-style color graphics.
The back of each 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars card contained the standard statistical and biographical information found on typical baseball cards of the era. The information and numbers were presented in a larger format suitable for the oversized card stock. At the bottom was the Topps copyright information along with a Kmart logo, denoting these cards as a special co-branded promotional release exclusive to the retail chain.
Some notable stars featured in the 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars set included Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and Tony Gwynn. Young superstars like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Roberto Alomar also earned showcase cards. Popular veterans like Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Rickey Henderson rounded out the selection of 75 players. With its focus on established stars and big names, the set lacked any true rookie cards but instead served as a “greatest hits” collection of the game’s most iconic performers at the dawn of the 1990s.
The large-sized cardboard cards allowed for vivid color photos and engaging action shots of the players. With their attractive vivid graphics and presentation, the 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars cards achieved rarified premium status above basic card issues. While not truly rare in their own right due to broader distribution through Kmart stores, the desirable classic photos and oversized presentation format gave the cards instant appeal for collectors at the time seeking something beyond the standard 2.5″ x 3.5″ size.
The premium branding and appearance of the 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars helped drive popularity and brisk sales during their initial release window. Kmart stores stocked full displays packs which showcased the oversized cards in an appealing format different than Topps’ traditional wax packs. The retailer exclusivity added a sense of uniqueness which collectors appreciated. After the initial offering, the cards maintained popularity in the secondary market well into the 1990s vintage boom years.
Today, complete 75-card factory sets in top Near Mint-Mint condition still command premium prices due to their desirable classic photos and sought-after premium nostalgia associated with their unique large format and Kmart retail exclusivity during baseball cards’ golden era. While individual common cards can often be acquired cheaply, obtaining a full pristine set in the highly graded Gem Mint condition they were issued remains a prized trophy for dedicated vintage collectors. Values remain elevated compared to other common 1990 Topps issues due to the set’s lasting iconic imagery, memorable larger size, and exclusive retail tie-in origins during the peak of the baseball card hobby’s popularity.
The 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars set stands as a creative one-year experiment between Topps and Kmart to produce an insert collection with broader shelf appeal. By focusing on star players and big names in an attractive oversized premium package, the editors succeeded in drafting a “greatest hits” style issue that acquired must-have status upon its initial release. Despite appearing for just a single year before Topps moved on to other promotions, the unique large-sized cards fulfilled collectors’ desires for something more elaborate than the standard baseball card format of the time. They have endured to become one of the most coveted and visually striking vintage issues for collectors today seeking a premium piece of the late 1980s/early 1990s trading card boom years.
In summarizing, the 1990 Topps Kmart Super Stars Baseball Cards were a collectible success due to their innovative large size, vivid photography, exclusive retail distribution through Kmart, focus on baseball’s top stars, and ability to capture the heightened enthusiasm for the hobby during its most popular modern era. While a one-year promotional experiment, the premium feel and desirable classic imagery ensured the set would achieve longevity in the collectors’ market and represent the pinnacle vintage issues for those seeking premium examples from the golden age of baseball cards in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
