The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the 1980s. With 712 total cards in the base set and additional rookie cards, stars, and Hall of Famers, unopened 1987 Topps wax packs and boxes hold significant nostalgia and investment potential for savvy collectors if kept in pristine condition. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these 35 year old cards so desirable today when left factory sealed.

Topps had been the lone license holder for major league baseball cards since returning to the industry in the late 1950s. Through the 1970s and early 80s, they established themselves as the premier brand for the modern collecting era. By 1987, the popularity of sports cards was at an all-time high. Kids and adults alike were snatching up packs at record rates, driving astronomical print runs into the millions per issue by Topps. Despite the high print quantities, the 1987s hold perceived value due to capturing a pivotal time in the hobby before the late 80s/early 90s crash that nearly destroyed the entire business.

Part of the mystique around 1987 Topps unopened is that the era represents the final “junk wax” period before scarcity became more prevalent. Still, for an unopened wax pack or factory sealed box to survive in pristine condition for over three decades is quite rare. The packaging materials were fairly low quality and not intended to withstand the test of time. Any hint of creasing, discoloration or breaks in the cellophane shrink wrapping detracts significantly from the perceived freshness and investment grade designation. Hence, examples rated gem mint are extremely hard to find and command big premiums from collectors.

Inside these 1987 packs lie 61 familiar cardboard rectangles that shaped an entire generation of fans. The designs were classic 1980s Topps with team logo borders wrapping compelling action photos. Some considered the images a step below the highly photorealistic photography of prior years, but the nostalgia effect cannot be denied. Rosters included future Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith as well as huge stars like Dwight Gooden, Kirby Puckett, and Dave Winfield. The coveted #1 Mickey Mantle and #713 Don Mattingly rookie cards added even more luster.

While scarcity wasn’t as paramount in 1987, the packs still hold a magic element for collectors who rip them open in search of stars, rookie gems or oddball variations. Perhaps they’ll discover an elusive error card only found in one per every several thousand packs. The gamble and surprise keeps the allure alive much like it did for children in the 80s. Regarding investing long term, sealed packs and boxes avoid risks of damage or tampering that can diminish potential returns versus raw singles over time. Condition sensitive issues like 1987s are best preserved fresh to preserve and ideally enhance financial value.

Flash forward to today and there is no doubt the vintage hobby is red hot. Prices across the board for unopened wax from the junk wax era into the 1990s have skyrocketed the past few years. The 1980s held a stranglehold on nostalgia which is now firmly transferred to the spending power of aging Gen X collectors with money to spend. 1987 Topps in sealed form can easily fetch hundreds and often thousands of dollars depending on quantity and condition grade from leading authenticators. The rarest gem mint factory sealed cases have crossed the $10,000 threshold.

All in all, those blue, red, and white labeled packs of 1987 ToppsCards still sing their Siren song to collectors young and old. They represent a familiar feeling of mystery, childlike wonder and connection to baseball’s biggest stars of the 1980s. With scarcity, condition sensitivity and monetary investment potential, there’s no denying their staying power and rightful place among the treasures of the vintage wax era. For 35 years after production, they remain a proven commodity able to bring both joy and profit to those who preserved them in their original untainted state.