The 1987 Upper Deck baseball card set was truly a groundbreaking release that changed the baseball card industry forever. Prior to 1987, Topps had monopolized the baseball card market for decades with little competition and quality control issues becoming more prevalent. Two brothers, Richard and David Beckett, saw an opportunity to disrupt the stagnant baseball card market and launched the Upper Deck company in 1988. Their first release in 1987 was an instant success and really put Upper Deck on the map.
The 1987 Upper Deck set consisted of 702 total cards with numerous rookie cards, stars of the day, and quality control that was lightyears ahead of anything Topps was producing at the time. The cards featured high quality thick cardstock and sharp colorful photography that really made the players and their stats pop off the card. Upper Deck took great care in properly centering each image and getting the registration marks perfectly aligned. They also included an embossed logo on the front of each card which added a premium feel. The cards were also much smaller in size than standard baseball cards which made them feel more valuable in the hands of collectors.
One of the biggest rookie card hits from the 1987 Upper Deck set was Ken Griffey Jr. who was just starting his legendary career with the Seattle Mariners. Only 140 copies of the Griffey Jr. rookie card were produced, making it one of the most scarce and valuable baseball cards ever made. In pristine gem mint condition, a 1987 Upper Deck Griffey Jr. rookie card can fetch well over $100,000 today. Other notable rookie cards included Tom Glavine, Gregg Olson, and Ben McDonald who all went on to have solid MLB careers. Stars of the day like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan also had popular cards in the set that hold value well today.
The 1987 Upper Deck set also featured numerous stars on their new teams after offseason trades. For example, there was a Darryl Strawberry card as a New York Met after being traded from the Dodgers. The Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter cards as Blue Jays after being acquired in a massive trade with the Padres were also notable additions. All of these “new team” cards featuring established stars created interest and demand from collectors. The set also had update cards for players who switched teams after the original card design but before production. This level of accuracy was unheard of at the time from other card companies.
In terms of rarity, the true short prints and error cards from the 1987 Upper Deck set are among the most valuable in the entire hobby. The Frank Viola card is considered one of the key short prints, with estimates being only 10-25 copies were produced. High grade examples can sell for $50,000+. Other notable short prints include the Dwight Gooden, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan cards. In terms of errors, the Cal Ripken Jr. card where his name is spelled “Cal Riken Jr.” is the most famous from the set. Only a handful are known to exist in collectors’ hands today.
While the 1987 Upper Deck Griffey Jr. rookie and other star rookies get most of the attention, there are plenty of valuable and interesting “common” cards throughout the set that hold value. For example, the Bo Jackson card as a Royal is highly sought after by collectors interested in his short but amazing career. The Ozzie Canseco twin brothers card featuring Jose and Ozzie is a fun conversation piece. And cards showing players in rare or unique poses that don’t appear elsewhere can gain collector interest over time.
The 1987 Upper Deck baseball set revolutionized the card industry and is truly a landmark release. From the sharp photography and precise printing to the numerous rookie stars and valuable short prints, it’s a set that has stood the test of time. Prices have skyrocketed in recent years for high grade examples as the hobby has boomed, cementing 1987 Upper Deck as one of the single most valuable vintage sets ever made. While the ultra high-end cards may be out of reach for most collectors, there are still plenty of affordable common cards that can be obtained from the set to enjoy and appreciate its significance.
