The 1987 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular and iconic releases from the late 1980s. Issued at the height of the baseball card boom, the 1987 Donruss set showcased the biggest stars and top rookies of that season. Some of the key things to know about the 1987 Donruss baseball cards include:
Set Details: The 1987 Donruss set included 792 total cards issued in wax packs, boxes, and factory sets. The base card design featured a headshot photo on the front with player stats and team logo on the back. Some of the notable subsets included League Leaders, All-Stars, Team Leaders, and Rookie Cup cards. Top rookies like Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire, and Roberto Alomar had special rookie cards as well.
Popular Stars: Perhaps the biggest star of the 1987 season was Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, who was featured on the very rare “Superstar” parallel card in the set. Other huge stars prominently featured included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Rickey Henderson. Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan, George Brett, and Mike Schmidt also had popular cards in the 1987 Donruss set.
Rookie Class of ’87: The rookie class of 1987 Donruss cards was one of the strongest ever, headlined by future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Roberto Alomar. Other top rookies included Mark McGwire, Terry Mulholland, and David Wells. McGwire’s rookie card in particular has become one of the most iconic and valuable of all time due to his record-breaking home run feats in the late 1990s.
Design and Photography: The 1987 Donruss design featured simple but classic headshot photography on a white or gray background. The stats and team logo on the back provided plenty of information for collectors. While not as flashy as some other contemporary sets, the clean photography and uniform design made the 1987 Donruss cards very popular.
Boom Period Popularity: Released right in the peak years of the baseball card boom from 1987-1991, the 1987 Donruss set was one of the best-selling issues of that entire era. Wax packs and factory sets of the 1987 Donruss cards were available everywhere from drug stores to hobby shops. The abundance of the base cards has kept them relatively affordable compared to some other sets from that time period.
Key Parallels and Variations: In addition to the standard base cards, the 1987 Donruss set featured several notable parallels and short prints. This included the above-mentioned Superstar parallel cards, which featured a photo and design treatment distinct from the base cards. Other key variations included Glossy, Diamond Kings, and league-specific parallels found in factory sets. The rarity of these added to the excitement for collectors opening packs.
Grading and Condition Sensitivities: Like most 1980s-era cardboard, the 1987 Donruss cards are very susceptible to the test of time in terms of condition. Creases, corners, and centering issues abound in most raw copies found today. Examples that have been professionally graded in high grades can still hold significant value, especially for the biggest stars and rookies. A PSA 10 1987 Donruss Barry Larkin rookie, for example, sells for thousands.
Longterm Investment Potential: While the 1987 Donruss base cards never reached the stratospheric prices of some other contemporary sets, savvy longterm collectors saw their value rise steadily. Factors like the strength of the rookie class and iconic players featured have kept it a desirable set for both collectors and investors. Graded examples of stars like McGwire and Alomar in particular can sell for hundreds or low thousands today. For collectors who held onto their childhood collections, the 1987 Donruss cards have provided a worthwhile longterm investment.
The 1987 Donruss baseball card set remains one of the most iconic and beloved issues from the sport’s boom period of the late 1980s. Featuring a who’s who of the sport’s biggest stars and one of its strongest rookie classes ever, the 1987 Donruss cards satisfied collectors both short and longterm. While condition issues plague many raw copies today, examples that have survived the test of time in high grades continue to attract strong prices from dedicated collectors and investors. The 1987 Donruss cards exemplified the peak of the cardboard craze and are sure to remain a focus of the hobby for generations to come.
