Topps baseball cards have been a staple of the hobby for generations, with kids of all ages ripping open wax packs in hopes of finding their favorite players or coveted rookie cards. Since its humble beginnings in the 1950s producing gum-wrapper cards, Topps has evolved into the premiere brand for baseball cards, creating memorable moments with its packs year after year.
In the early days, Topps issued its cards in wax-paper wrapped packs that were included as promotional items with chewing gum. Typically 5 cards would be found in these original packs from the 1950s and 1960s. Baseball card collectors at the time were primarily children, and the pairing of cards and gum was a genius marketing move by Topps to get kids trading and building their collections. Even with just a few cards per pack, the thrill of the chase and possibility of finding a star player made these packs endlessly entertaining.
Through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the standard Topps baseball card pack contained about 10-12 cards. Not much had changed as far as design from the original wax packs, though the crispness of the cards themselves noticeably improved in quality. A key enhancement during this era was the introduction of oddball parallel inserts that could be pulled. These ‘short prints’, which featured unique photos or colored borders, added another layer of excitement. You never knew if that next pack might contain a coveted short print parallel of a big star.
In 1991, Topps baseball cards made the jump from the traditional wax wrapper to the more durable plastic packaging we see today. Plastic kept the cards in much better condition compared to the older wax paper packs that could damage edges. The plastic allowed for more intricate pack designs that showcased players and photography in eye-catching windows. This new packaging helped propel baseball cards into the modern age.
The rookies of players like Ken Griffey Jr. that could be discovered starting in 1989 also sparked a renaissance for the hobby. Griffey’s iconic Upper Deck rookie card from that year set records, and proved there was still big money to be made in the sport of card collecting. Topps expanded pack configurations and attempted riskier promotional inserts like Stadium Club and Topps Finest to keep pace.
Starting in the 2000s, pack contents for Topps have varied more as inserts multiplied. Now you may find 12 cards plus extras like parallels, autographs or memorabilia cards in Jumbo packs. Or get 6-8 regular cards in Mini packs. Retail “blasters” containing 30 packs remain a favorite for product on shelves today. Through all the changes, finding a valuable hit in one of these larger format boxes can be as thrilling as the original few card packs of yesteryear.
Innovation has continued as Topps embraced technology, releasing digital and virtual products as well. Apps like Topps Bunt and Topps NOW bring the card collecting experience into the 21st century. And Topps’ Twitter account @Topps gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at set design and production each year. For many, nothing replaces the smell of fresh cardboard and crack of wrappers that only a physical Topps baseball pack can provide.
Whether kids in little league were trading 5-cent cards in bubblegum packs 60 years ago or today’s collectors are opening blasters on YouTube hoping for autographs, Topps has kept the card collecting spirit alive. The company’s longevity speaks to its understanding that while times change, the thrill of the rip remains deeply ingrained in baseball fandom. With its careful stewardship of iconic players and consistent quality products, Topps looks poised to keep providing those magical pack-pull moments for collectors of all ages into the future. After all, every collection starts with ripping the wrappers of that first enticing Topps baseball pack.
