The 1987 Donruss baseball card set was unique in the hobby for several reasons. It marked Donruss’ return to the baseball card market after a two year absence in 1985 and 1986. Produced during the height of the junk wax era, the 1987 Donruss set had several design elements that set it apart from other releases that year.
Donruss had been a pioneering brand in the early 1980s, helping to popularize the modern baseball card craze. Financial issues caused them to take a break after 1984. Eager collectors were excited for Donruss’ comeback in 1987. The brand tapped into this nostalgia with its retro design aesthetic that paid homage to their earlier 1980 sets.
The 1987 Donruss cards featured a classic white border around each player photo. The team logo appeared prominently at the top of the card in team colors. Simple white text listed the player’s name, position, batting stats, and other details. On the back, Donruss included career stats and a brief bio. While basic compared to modern designs, collectors appreciated the throwback look.
At only 81 cards in the base set, 1987 Donruss had one of the smallest checklists of any release that year. It was still packed with stars and future Hall of Famers. Rookie cards of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and David Justice were highlights. Stars like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan also received prominent placement in the set.
Beyond the base cards, Donruss offered several insert sets to entice collectors. Their “Diamond Kings” paralleled included gold foil embossed treatment on the photos of superstar players. A “Super Stars” subset featured extra stats and bios on the back for 25 top players. Mini cards and oddball parallels added variety. Testifying to its popularity, 1987 Donruss was one of the most counterfeited sets of the era.
While other companies embraced flashy graphics and action shots on their 1987 cards, Donruss stuck to classic headshot poses. Their photography style highlighted each player’s face clearly. This led to some criticisms that the images lacked excitement or visual interest compared to competitors. Others argued it kept true to Donruss’ straightforward baseball roots.
The 1987 Donruss set marked a turning point in the junk wax era, as the demand for vintage cardboard started declining. Overproduction caused card values to plummet industry-wide. Still, nostalgia for Donruss’ early 1980s heyday created initial collector enthusiasm for their comeback. The brand would build on this foundation over the next few years before selling to Fleer in 1991.
For today’s collectors, 1987 Donruss cards remain accessible and affordable compared to earlier vintage issues. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Glavine and Maddux can still be obtained for reasonable prices. Insert sets add variety for set builders. While not the flashiest release of ’87, the classic design holds nostalgic appeal. Donruss’ return to baseball cards helped sustain the hobby during a transitional period. Their straightforward photography style was a throwback to a simpler time before technology exploded the industry.
In the junk wax era, the 1987 Donruss set stood out more for its retro design nods to the early 1980s than innovative new ideas. With a small checklist of stars presented in a basic white-bordered format, it lacked the bells and whistles of contemporary offerings. However, Donruss’ comeback tapped into collectors’ warm memories of their pioneering early years. Rookies of future Cooperstown inductees like Glavine and Maddux give the set lasting relevance today. While common in the midst of the bubble, 1987 Donruss endures as an accessible vintage issue that remains affordable and fun for collectors.
