The 1987 Donruss Highlights set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable baseball card releases of the late 1980s. While it didn’t feature the true rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, or Frank Thomas like the flagship Donruss set did, it did highlight some of the game’s biggest stars in high-gloss photography on thick, durable cardboard stock. As a result, this 75-card set has developed a strong cult following over the past three decades among collectors both casual and die-hard.
One of the major draws of the 1987 Donruss Highlights set was the photography. While most baseball cards of the era featured simple headshots or action photos on a white background, Donruss Highlights took things to another level. Many of the cards featured artistic close-up portraits of players through obscure lenses or unique filters that made them really pop. Meanwhile, Stars of the Game subsets highlighted individual stats and accomplishments with original illustrations. This gave each card a true “highlight reel” style that collectors found innovating compared to other products at the time.
The robust roster was also stocked with huge names that have sustained the set’s value over the long haul. Superstars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, and Ozzie Smith anchored the base checklist. Rarer chase cards included hall of famers Ryne Sandberg, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan. Phenoms like Mark McGwire and Will Clark were also featured as they began establishing themselves. With such proven big leaguers and talents, it has proven to be a very stable investment compared to sets heavily dependent on young players who didn’t pan out.
Grading has also been kind to the 1987 Donruss Highlights over the decades. Being printed on thicker stock helped minimize surface issues that plagued flimsier card productions. Meanwhile, the individual card designs weren’t as complex as later releases which helped avoid print flaws and centering problems. As a result, high-grade examples suitable for professional grading are plentiful compared to many other vintage sets. This steady supply of well-preserved copies has been a major factor supporting ongoing collector demand and secondary market pricing at sustained levels.
In the hobby, the 1987 Donruss Highlights checklist is considered an iconic release for several relevant players who had breakout seasons. Mark McGwire’s star power was just beginning to emerge as he blasted 49 home runs in his first full season. Will Clark won the National League Rookie of the Year and batted .286 for the Giants. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ Ozzie Smith was capturing five Gold Gloves and establishing himself as the best defensive shortstop in baseball history. High-end examples of their rookie and early career cards command big prices as a result of their on-field success and longevity of fandom.
One of the true blue-chip gems that drives values for the entire 1987 Donruss Highlights set is the incredibly rare Stan Musial 1-of-1 printing plate card. Only one was produced of the Hall of Famer towards the end of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Between its unicorn status as a 1/1 and featuring one of the most revered players in baseball history, it is widely considered the crown jewel of the set. In 2013, it sold for an astonishing $86,625, setting the record for most valuable Donruss card ever and showing the heights this issue can reach for premier pieces.
In the current market, graded 1987 Donruss Highlights commons in Gem Mint 10 can usually be acquired for ~$15-30. Stars and short prints start to escalate quickly from there. A PSA 10 McGwire is around $150-250 depending on recent auction prices. For true elite talent, a PSA/SGC 10 Mike Schmidt might bring $400-600. Meanwhile, the crown jewel Musial plate consistently risks 6 figures when offered. For quality examples suitable to break out of raw holder submissions, there is also virtually no risk to gain potential value through professional grading services due to strong and stable long term collector interest in this highly regarded vintage release.
The 1987 Donruss Highlights set remains one of the blue-chip stalwarts of the late 1980s collecting boom. Between its iconic photography, all-time great checklist, steady grading, and iconic hit cards, it is built to sustain strong prices even as the hobby market expands. For savvy long term investors, high-quality examples suitable for grading represent a can’t-miss opportunity to hold appreciating assets with REAL intrinsic value based on decades of proven performance, not hype. The 1987 Donruss Highlights will surely continue to be a benchmark against which other sets of its era are measured for many collecting generations to come.
