1987 was a memorable year for sports cards as it marked Leaf Inc.’s entrance into the baseball card market. Prior to 1987, Leaf primarily focused on producing premium quality non-sports tobacco cards and had only dabbled in the sports card industry. With the rise of the modern sports card craze in the 1980s fueled by the dominant brands like Topps and Donruss, Leaf saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing baseball card collecting hobby.
Their initial 1987 baseball card release was met with mixed reviews from collectors. While the photography and glossy stock of the cards was praised, many felt the design and checklist lacked the flash and star power of the more established brands. The set totaled 528 cards and had a mix of current stars, prospects, and veterans from the 1986 MLB season. Roster changes from trades meant some players like Ray Knight and Jose Canseco appeared in Leaf uniforms despite playing for different teams that year.
In terms of the big star rookies, the 1987 Leaf set included rookie cards for future Hall of Famer Barry Larkin as well as prospect cards for players like Wally Joyner and Bobby Thigpen. Larkin’s rookie has held steady value over the years at around $15-20 in near mint condition. Joyner and Thigpen didn’t pan out as the future stars their early promise suggested, so their cards have negligible value today. Another highly sought after rookie was Oakland A’s pitcher Todd Van Poppel, who was regarded as a can’t-miss pitching prospect but failed to live up to expectations in the majors. His card still trades hands frequently due to his prominent place in the set as one of the main rookie attractions.
In addition to the base set, Leaf also issued 96 special “Coins” parallel cards in 1987. These coin-shaped cards featured one player per team in gold metallic foil and have become highly coveted by advanced collectors. Some of the more valuable Coins from the 1987 Leaf set include Barry Larkin (Reds), Kevin McReynolds (Padres), Mark McGwire (A’s), and Wally Backman (Mets). High grade examples of these can fetch several hundred dollars today. Leaf parallels and insert sets from the 1980s in general hold significant collector demand.
While the 1987 Leaf baseballs cards may not appeal to the same degree as the bigger brands sets from the same year, there are still some gems to be found. Understood at the time to be an “off-brand”, perception and values of early Leaf material have gained appreciation over the decades. Factors like the inclusion of key rookie cards, attractive parallel subsets, and the fact it was one of their earliest sports ventures, have allowed the 1987 Leaf set maintain collector interest. Individual star cards or serially numbered inserts can exceed $100 in top condition. Low-print parallel cards hold the most value potential long-term for advanced collectors.
For today’s collectors just starting out, 1987 Leaf rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Larkin remain some of the more affordable vintage cards on the market in the $15-25 range. The vast majority of the base cards can be found for under $5. It’s important to be wary of forgeries and reprints, which have unfortunately damaged the integrity of the hobby in recent years. Sticking to reputable graded examples is highly recommended to avoidfakes. While not in the same league as flagship ’80s sets, there is enough history and nostalgia around the 1987 Leaf brand launch to keep values respectable for discerning collectors. With care and research, building a complete high-grade set remains a fun and worthwhile challenge for enthusiasts of the era.
While the 1987 Leaf cards may not command huge sums today compared to the marquee ’80s brands, there is lasting appeal and value to be found for collectors who take the time to understand the nuances, hooks, and history of this important early release from the once pioneering Leaf Inc. brand. Rookies, parallels, and especially the coveted Coin subset ensure sufficient collector demand to buoy prices relative to the mainstream. For those seeking an alternative vintage collecting venture outside the usual suspects, the story of Leaf’s 1987 baseball card debut offers rewards for the dedicated enthusiast.
