The 1985 Donruss Jumbo baseball card set is notorious among collectors as one of the most iconic and valuable card issues from the 1980s. Featuring large 3.5″ by 5″ “jumbo” sized cards with colorful player photography and statistics on the front and back, the 1985 Donruss Jumbos were one of the first major sets to feature these larger card sizes that really popped on shelves at card shops and supermarkets. While producing larger cards is common today, it was quite innovative for 1985 and helped drive interest in collecting at the time.
Due to their popularity upon release and staying power as classic 1980s cardboard, many key rookie cards and stars from the 1985 Donruss Jumbos series have attained considerable value in the secondary market. Top rookies like Dwight Gooden and Roger Clemens routinely fetch hundreds of dollars in high grades while superstars like Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, and Don Mattingly can reach $50 or more even in lower graded editions. The simple yet iconic designs have resonated with collectors for decades, helping maintain1985 Donruss as one of the most beloved and valuable 1980s issues.
In terms of content, the 1985 Donruss Jumbos feature standard player stats and info on the fronts with biographies on the backs highlighting career achievements up to that point. Color photography was used for nearly every card, showcasing the vivid large images that gave the set its signature pop. Rosters included all major leaguers with some minor leaguers and prospects mixed in as well. The design utilizes simple Dodger blue borders around active photos with a white border for inactives. Statistics are presented clearly along the bottom while the large Donruss logo stamped the top left.
The sharp color photography and ample stats presented clearly made each card easily identifiable at a glance, whether casually reviewing in a stack or across the rack at a store. This accessibility drew in both experienced collectors and newcomers looking to build their first sets. While straightforward, the clean layout effectively showcased the players and has held up very well compared to some of the more dated or busy designs from other 80s issues.
In terms of scarcity and population reports, high grade 1985 Donruss Jumbos have long been elusive for collectors due to the larger card stock being more prone to dings, creases or edge wear over decades of being shuffled, stored or presented in albums. Beckett SGC and PSA have graded thousands of these cards since the third party authentication boom began in the 1990s but Gems and above remain quite rare across the set. Top prospects, stars or rookie cards pull even higher premiums when found in MT-8 or above condition.
Price wise, here are some examples of what key 1985 Donruss Jumbo cards in top grades have sold for according to eBay, PWCC Marketplace and Classic Auctions records:
A PSA Gem Mint 10 Roger Clemens rookie card sold for $2,049.
A Beckett Gem Mint 9.5 Dwight Gooden rookie card realized $1,500.
A SGC 95 Mint Mike Schmidt gem fetched $999.
PSA 9 examples of rookie cards for Clemens, Gooden and Barry Bonds have topped $250.
High end copies of superstars like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson and Ozzie Smith routinely hit $100+ even in lower grades.
Lesser lights in pristine MT condition can still net $25-50 depending on team popularity and other factors.
While mint 1985 Donruss rookies continue gaining value rapidly as the players cement Hall of Fame legacies, there are also deals to be found! Condition sensitive common stars or role players can often be had for $5-10 even graded, making it an affordable set to collect across the board. With the iconic designs and mass appeal, the 1985 Donruss Jumbos will surely remain a fun and collectible set for enthusiasts of the era. Holding for the long term as a classic, many examples could appreciate substantially more in the decades to come.
As one of the pioneering oversized “jumbo” card issues and featuring rising young stars like Gooden, Clemens, and Bonds, the 1985 Donruss baseball card set holds iconic status among collectors of the decade. While the larger cards faced condition challenges, premium gems and key rookies from this set have achieved impressive values thanks to the classic designs, player talent featured and nostalgia for 1980s cardboard. Backed by decades of collecting passion, the 1985 Donruss Jumbos show no signs of slowing appreciation and remain an excellent investment for those who recognise their staying power in the hobby.
