The 1987 Leaf baseball card set is one of the more iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While not as famous as some other brands like Topps or Donruss, the ’87 Leaf set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors due to its unique design aesthetic and the star players featured on many of the cards. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most interesting aspects and valuables cards from this beloved 80s baseball card release.
The 1987 Leaf set was the company’s third baseball card release, following previous issues in 1985 and 1986. It consisted of 524 total cards and had the same basic checklist format as the prior two years – featuring current major leaguers, prospects, managers, and umpires. What set the ’87 Leaf cards apart from others of the era was the bold, artistic design employed on the fronts. Each player’s image was surrounded by a colorful, abstract border that gave the cards a modern, almost psychedelic flair. The team logo was prominently displayed above the player photo as well. On the backs, stats were presented in colorful boxes along the sides rather than straight text.
Some of the biggest star players featured included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, Dwight Gooden, and Darryl Strawberry. Each of these players would go on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers and their ’87 Leaf rookie or early career cards are quite valuable today. But perhaps the most iconic card in the set is the #1 rookie card of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter. Carter went on to have a fine 21-year MLB career including a World Series title with the Jays in 1993 when he hit a walk-off home run. His ’87 Leaf RC is one of the most sought-after and valuable cards from the set in top grades.
In addition to star player cards, the ’87 Leaf set also included several notable rookie cards that were the players’ first in any brand that year. Future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio had his RC in this set as did Dennis Eckersley, Tom Glavine, and David Wells. Each of these cards hold significant collector value today, especially in high mint condition grades. Prospect cards were also included for future stars like Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Frank Thomas before they made their MLB debuts. These rookie and prospect cards add numerous desirable chase cards to the set.
When it comes to the overall design aesthetic and production quality of the 1987 Leaf baseball cards, most collectors agree it was among the best of its time. The colorful, abstract borders popped alongside the vivid player photos. The card stock was thick and had a premium feel. Registration and centering was also generally well done across the set compared to some other contemporary releases. This all adds to the appeal and enduring nostalgia many collectors feel toward these cards decades later.
In the secondary market today, complete sets and individual high-value cards from the ’87 Leaf issue command significant prices. Near-mint to mint condition complete sets in factory-sealed wax packs can fetch over $1000. Individual star player and rookie cards like Clemens, Boggs, Carter, Biggio, and others in top grades of PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5+ regularly sell for hundreds and in some cases over $1000 each. Even key commons and prospects can have values of $10-50 in top-graded forms. Condition, of course, is extremely important – with lower graded copies being worth just a fraction of their pristine counterparts.
In the over 30 years since its original release, the 1987 Leaf baseball card set has developed a strong cult following among collectors both old and new. Its unique graphic design elements, star power, and plentiful valuable rookie cards make it a highly desirable vintage set to collect. For those who enjoyed the baseball card boom of the late 80s, the ’87 Leaf issue holds a special nostalgic place. Today it remains one of the most iconic and investable releases from that era. Whether being collected and enjoyed raw or in professional slabs, this classic Leaf baseball card set is sure to retain its popularity for generations of collectors to come.
