The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases of the 1980s. This set contains 792 total cards issued in wax packs that featured a variety of stars and rising young players. The photoshoot style continued Topps’ tradition of individual head shots on a pink background for most cards. Now over 35 years old, high grade examples from the ’87 Topps set in PSA Gem Mint 10 condition have become highly desired by collectors.
One of the biggest stars featured on ’87 Topps cards was New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. Known as “Doc,” Gooden won the NL Cy Young award in 1985 at just 20 years old and was considered the best pitcher in baseball during the mid 1980s. His rookie card from 1982 Topps is one of the most coveted in the hobby. In 1987, Gooden’s card shows him with long curly hair in the middle of his windup. PSA 10 versions of this card in Near Mint-Mint condition are amongst the keys of the set worth $150-200 graded by PSA.
Another highly valuable ’87 Topps card is Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell. The native of Jamaica had a breakout 1986 season winning the AL MVP. His card from the ’87 set pictures Bell in the home Blue Jays uniform and he is staring off into the distance with a serious look. PSA 10 examples of this key rookie card for Bell have sold for over $300 in recent years. Part of what makes high graded vintage rookie cards so desirable is they capture a player at the early stage of their career before widespread production.
The 1987 Topps set also featured several young talents who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers like Toronto’s Joe Carter, Chicago Cubs Ryne Sandberg, Oakland’s Mark McGwire, San Francisco’s Will Clark, and Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin. Each of these players have PSA 10 rookie or early career cards worth $100-$200. Additionally, 1987 saw the baseball debuts of future stars like Toronto’s Dave Stieb, San Diego’s Benito Santiago, and Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. who appeared as rookies in the set.
When it comes to chase cards at the very top of the ’87 Topps checklist, two particularly stand out – Atlanta Braves pitchers Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. As rookie cards, both captured the hurlers in their early Braves uniforms before emerging as perennial Cy Young contenders. High graded PSA 10 versions of these rookie cards have sold at auction for over $1000. What makes these two even more special is they pitched together for the Braves dynasty that won the 1995 World Series.
In terms of star players at the peak of their careers featured, ’87 Topps has cards of sluggers like Oakland’s Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire who would lead the A’s “Bash Brothers” attack, Astros great Nolan Ryan in one of his final seasons before retirement, and Yankees superstar Don Mattingly. Each of these gem mint PSA 10 ranked cards can attract bids up to $200 or more. The ’87 design also provided a vibrant pink backdrop to showcase stellar photography of the players in action.
When high grades and centered striking examples come up for auction, records are often set. In December 2018, a PSA Gem Mint 10 graded ’87 Topps Tom Glavine rookie card sold for an astounding $25,750 through auction housePWCC. Just a few months later in March 2019, a PSA 10 1987 Topps Dwight Gooden rookie Card reached $10,800 at auction. Sales at this level underscore the desirability of this Classic set when prospects receive the absolute perfect technical grade.
While ’87 Topps had print runs amongst the largest of the decade, mint condition specimens remain quite tough to locate. The set’s iconic design, star power featuring stars and future Hall of Famers, as well as historically significant rookie cards make PSA 10 specimens highly collectible and worth strong premiums when quality and eye appeal are exemplary. Over 30 years since packs first hit shelves, ’87 Topps keeps cementing its status as a flagship set from the golden era of the hobby prized by investors and enthusiasts alike. When found in pristine grades, the allure is unmatched.
