The 1987 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors. It was the set that captured cards of future Hall of Famers like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine in their rookie seasons. Nearly 35 years later, unopened wax boxes of 1987 Topps are some of the most sought after unopened vintage on the secondary market. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes a sealed ’87 Topps box so desirable today among collectors on eBay and beyond.
1987 marked Topps’ 75th year producing baseball cards. To commemorate the milestone, designers created one of the snazziest and most vibrant card designs of the 1980s. Featuring primary colors and a very prominent team logo in the upper right corner, the ’87s truly popped out of the wax packs. Rated a 9.5 out of 10 by Beckett, the design holds up tremendously well even today. Another subtle touch was foil stamping the player’s name horizontally across their chest, showcasing the photography. The eye-catching design certainly boosted the popularity of the ’87 Topps set during its heyday in the late 80s.
Inside each sealed wax box is a full set of 792 cards. The roster included all players on Major League rosters as well as minor leaguers. Some notable rookie cards found in 1987 Topps include Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Charles Nagy, and Jimmy Key. With so many future Hall of Famers and all-stars among the rookie class, combined with the aesthetically pleasing design, 1987 Topps is remembered as one of the strongest vintage releases from the junk wax era.
While individual 1987 Topps cards can still be bought relatively affordably in near mint condition, finding a sealed wax box in same perfect condition has become a true rarity on the collecting market. Only a finite number of these boxes were ever produced and distributed to hobby shops in 1987. As the years passed, boxes were undoubtedly opened by collectors looking to build their sets or find stars.
Today, an unopened sealed 1987 Topps wax box in mint condition can fetch thousands of dollars on eBay. Given the historical significance of containing a true “factory sealed” set along with its strong rookie class, demand is extremely high from experienced vintage collectors. Factors like centering of the wrapper, quality of shrink wrap adhesion, and lack of external wear are all scrutinized when valuing an older unopened box. Prices tend to range anywhere from $3,000 up to $10,000 depending on all condition aspects.
Some argue that sealed vintage wax boxes are among the most coveted investments in the entire sports card market. The boxes take on an almost “artifact” status, representing an unmolested product release straight from the printing plant. They allow collectors a glimpse into the original packaging design and distribution method from an iconic era in card manufacturing. With 35+ years of appreciation under its belt, along with that star-studded rookie class, demand doesn’t seem to be slowing for vintage ’87 Topps wax anytime soon.
This creates a sizable premium when a quality sealed wax box finally appears for auction on sites like eBay. Serious vintage collectors are willing to pay top dollar to own a piece of untouched cardboard history, especially for a major nostalgia set like 1987 Topps. Competition on bids are usually fierce as boxes are rarely encountered still factory packed after decades. Condition also tends to be cleaner than what you might typically uncover in a group break of loose packs or boxes at this stage.
While just a few years ago you’d be lucky to get $1,000-2,000 for a factory sealed ’87 Topps, prices have easily doubled or tripled in recent times. This reflects the rising strength and valuation now attributed to original wax packaging by collectors nationwide. Those willing to pay up are largely betting on continued long term appreciation of the vintage market segment, especially for iconic releases. A sealed ’87 Topps is as good an investment as exists in the realm of unopened vintage cardboard.
For the collector simply interested in owning a piece of the 1987 set or chasing after stars like Bonds and Maddux, breaking loose packs is a more affordable alternative to tracking down an intact wax box. Those pieces will never compare to the mystique of holding an original sealed case straight from Topps’ production line in pristine condition some 35 years later. That coveted status commands top dollar when one crosses the block on eBay or at major card conventions today.
Unopened 1987 Topps wax boxes are truly elite pieces to own for any vintage collector. With rabid demand driven by its memorable rookie class, iconic design, and finite original production quantities, secured boxes show no signs of losing value anytime soon. After appreciating steadily for decades, they represent some of the best long term sports card investments one can make. For the rare collector able to get their hands on a verified wax box still fresh after 35+ years, the historical significance and value attainment are well worth the premium price on the vintage collecting market.
