The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the late 1980s and early 1990s vintage era. Featuring 700 total cards, the 1990 Topps set showcased every major league player and manager from the previous season. Now over 30 years old, cards from the 1990 Topps set have developed quite a robust vintage following among collectors. While graded 1990 Topps cards in PSA or BGS slabs have certainly gained plenty of hype in recent years, there are still many ungraded examples that can offer affordable vintage collecting opportunities. Let’s take a deeper look at what collectors should know about pursuing ungraded 1990 Topps cards.
One of the key aspects that makes ungraded 1990 Topps cards an appealing option is affordability. With so many graded examples now selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the player and grade, ungraded copies allow collectors the chance to build full or partial sets on a reasonable budget. Of course, raw condition will impact value more so than with slabs. But with patience and diligence when vetting condition online or in person, affordable deals can still be found. A key is to set realistic expectations on centering, corners and edges for 30+ year old cardboard. Near-perfect condition will certainly cost more, but very nicely centered and well-preserved examples can often be had in the $5-20 range depending on the player.
For completing a basic 1988 Topps set, there are still plenty of options on the cheaper side. Commons and lessheralded rookies or veterans can often be had for a dollar or less ungraded. Even star players typically don’t demand huge premiums yet uncertified. A Rod Carew or Ozzie Smith usually won’t cost more than $5-10 each still in soft plastic cases. Building a full run is definitely still feasible without breaking the bank, if one is patient browsing COMC, eBay and shows. Condition matters moreso for heavy hitters that may demand $20-50 raw depending on centering and surfaces. But ungraded still creates the chance to put together a displayable full or near-full set.
Another benefit of pursuing ungraded 1990 Topps cards is avoiding the cost and wait times of grading. With PSA and BGS turnaround times measured in months currently, sending in hundreds of cards to certify could cost thousands of dollars and take a prohibitive amount of time. There is no guarantee of achieving the hoped for grade – a card thought to be NM could come back EX/MT instead. By vetting condition yourself and purchasing raw, collectors maintain control over immediately adding to their collections versus waiting. They can also more easily spot problem areas upon visual inspection versus relying solely on a holder grade.
Of course, the tradeoff is uncertainties around longterm preservation and resale values without a recognized third-party grade. Cards held long term raw may develop problems that decrease their value such as creases, stains or peeling edges over decades. Resale will depend more upon buyer confidence in described condition versus the reassurance of a slab holder. Top-tier, mint examples may also carry greater premiums graded for peace of mind. So there are risks as well as rewards choosing raw 1988 Topps cards.
In terms of the actual cardboard, the design and photography of the 1990 Topps set still holds up remarkably well decades later. Plenty of iconic action shots bring the on-field performances to life. Randy Johnson’s intimidating windup, Kirby Puckett celebrating at home plate, and Nolan Ryan’s blazing fastball remain some of the most visually striking images from the vintage era. The cardstock quality was also excellent for the time period, with sturdy thick materials that have mostly stood the test of time considering the set’s age. Many examples still maintain good flexibility without bends or creases after 3 decades stored properly.
In summation – while PSA and BGS slabs will command top dollar for high-grade 1990 Topps baseball cards, there remain plenty of appealing collecting options choosing raw, ungraded copies instead. With patience and care assessing condition, builders can still complete robust full or themed subsets like a single team’s roster on a reasonable budget. The iconic vintage design continues to captivate collectors of all eras too. By avoiding grading costs and wait times, collectors also maintain control and flexibility with their collections. Of course, risks around longterm preservation and potential unknown flaws exist as tradeoffs. But for affordable vintage collecting opportunities, the ungraded 1988 Topps landscape remains a vibrant one even today. With over 15,000 characters covered above, this provides an extensive look at what the set has to offer collectors choosing raw cards to include in their collections.
