Topps baseball cards have been a staple of the baseball card industry since the company released its first set in 1952. Over the past 70 years, Topps has developed iconic designs, included innovative features, and captured the personalities and performances of generations of baseball stars through photographs on these small trading cards. Here’s an in-depth look at Topps baseball cards released each year from 1952 to the present:

1952 (Ted Williams) – Topps’ inaugural baseball card set featured 382 cards of current players, managers, and umpires. The cards had a pinkish border and player stats/details on the back. Some key rookie cards included Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. This set helped launch Topps as the dominant baseball card company.

1953 – Topps released another 382 card standard size set. The design was similar to 1952 but with a green border. The ’53 set is notable for including the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Eddie Mathews.

1954 – Topps switched to a smaller card size, known as the “mini-format.” The design had a yellow border and included 400 cards. Rookie cards included future stars Frank Robinson and Billy Pierce. This was the first Topps set that included team logos.

1955 – The design remained largely the same as ’54 but with a blue border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda and Bob Gibson. This was the first year Topps included a “Traded” subset to showcase players who switched teams.

1956 – Topps issued another 400 card set with a red border. Rookie cards included future stars Jim Bunning and Luis Aparicio. The design remained very similar to previous years.

1957 – Topps introduced a new design with a white border and team logo at the bottom. The set included 387 cards. Future Hall of Famer Willie McCovey made his rookie card debut.

1958 – Topps issued its first “high-number” cards beyond the base 399 card checklist. The 1958 set totaled 502 cards. The design had a purple border. Notable rookies included future stars Bob Allison and Bill White.

1959 – Topps released two separate sets – the standard size and a larger “Premium” set. The base set had a green border and included future stars Pete Rose and Tony Oliva in their rookie cards. The premium set featured All-Star cards on thicker cardstock.

1960 – Topps issued its first “traded” and “record breakers” subsets. The base set had a red border and included future Hall of Famers Dick Allen and Tom Seaver in their rookie cards. This set also included the first color photos on baseball cards.

1961 – Topps released another standard size set with a blue border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Reggie Jackson and Tom Phoebus. This set also featured the first multi-player cards showing two or more players together.

1962 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border and included future stars Dick McAuliffe and Don Drysdale in their rookie cards. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1963 – Topps introduced the first “action” cards featuring photos of players in motion. The base set had a green border and included future stars Willie Stargell and Joe Torre in their rookie cards.

1964 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Dick Allen and Lou Brock. This set also featured the first “managers” subset cards.

1965 – Topps introduced the first “gum” cards where the card was stuck to a piece of gum inside the pack. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan in their rookie cards.

1966 – Topps released a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Reggie Jackson and Bill Freehan. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1967 – Topps introduced the first “team/league leader” subset cards highlighting statistical leaders. The base set had a green border and included future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk in his rookie card.

1968 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Joe Morgan. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1969 – Topps introduced the first “record breakers” subset cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Thurman Munson and Bert Blyleven in their rookie cards. The design remained largely similar.

1970 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers George Brett and Dave Parker. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1971 – Topps introduced the first “team cards” showing an entire team’s lineup. The base set had a green border and included future stars Fred Lynn and Keith Hernandez in their rookie cards.

1972 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Robin Yount and George Foster. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1973 – Topps introduced the first “action packed” subset featuring multiple action photos on one card. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Mike Schmidt and Phil Niekro in their rookie cards.

1974 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Jeff Burroughs and Paul Molitor. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1975 – Topps introduced the first “mini” cards in wax packs as an insert bonus. The base set had a green border and included future stars Eddie Murray and Dave Stieb in their rookie cards.

1976 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Andre Dawson and Dave Parker. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1977 – Topps introduced the first “league leader” subset cards highlighting single-season statistical leaders. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs in their rookie cards.

1978 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1979 – Topps introduced the first “team leader” subset cards highlighting career statistical leaders for each franchise. The base set had a green border and included future stars Donruss Wagner and Ozzie Guillen in their rookie cards.

1980 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Darryl Strawberry and Tim Raines. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1981 – Topps introduced the first “Starmate” dual player cards combining two stars together. The base set had a blue border and included future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on the cover.

1982 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1983 – Topps introduced the first “Traded” subset highlighting midseason trades. The base set had a green border and included future stars Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry in their rookie cards.

1984 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1985 – Topps introduced the first “Glossy Sendbacks” mail-away promotion for autographed/memorabilia cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Mark McGwire and Barry Larkin in their rookie cards.

1986 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1987 – Topps introduced the first “Sticker” cards as a bonus insert in wax packs. The base set had a green border and included future stars Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in their rookie cards.

1988 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Randy Johnson, and Tim Raines. The design remained largely similar.

1989 – Topps introduced the first factory-sealed wax pack “Factory Sets.” The base set had a blue border and included future stars Jeff Bagwell and Kenny Lofton in their rookie cards.

1990 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1991 – Topps introduced the first “Embossed” parallel card sets. The base set had a green border and included future stars Chipper Jones and Jim Thome in their rookie cards.

1992 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famer John Smoltz and stars Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra.

1993 – Topps introduced the first “Photo File” parallel card sets featuring different photos than the base cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Jason Giamb