The 1987 Topps Baseball Cards are a collector’s dream, especially when found sealed in their original wax box. This was the 70th year set released by Topps and includes 660 total cards featuring all major league players and managers. For collectors looking to purchase an unopened 1987 Topps box, here are some important details to be aware of.

First produced in 1952, Topps has been the dominant baseball card manufacturer for decades. They secured the exclusive MLB player contract in 1988, maintaining their monopoly until 1981 when Fleer and later Donruss entered the market. In 1987 Topps was still putting out the only officially licensed baseball cards featuring active players. This adds tremendous value for collectors considering the rarity of finding an unopened package from over 30 years ago.

The standard 1987 Topps box originally retailed for around $15-20 and contained 12 wax packs with 11 cards each. The front of the box shows an action photo of Kirby Puckett and the back lists the total number of cards inside along with stats and highlights from the previous season. Each wax pack is sealed with a thin layer of waxy paper that must be carefully broken to access the cards within. Finding an intact box in this sealed condition is extremely rare and can fetch prices thousands of times the original MSRP on the secondary market.

Inside collectors will find some of the biggest names from baseball’s golden era of the late 80s. Superstars like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, and Dwight Gooden grace the covers. Roster cards showcase future Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan, George Brett, and Mike Schmidt in their prime. Rookie cards of Tom Glavine, Gregg Jefferies, and Mark Grace are also included, offering opportunities to pick up future stars for relatively low prices compared to after they debuted. In fact, the 1987 set features the rookie cards of over 50 players who would go on to play in the majors.

Beyond the stars, the 1987 design is considered a classic among collectors. With a photo centered on a light blue background and fun retro styling, the cards have aged very well over the past 35 years. Traded and update sets from the time period are also included, allowing for a complete representation of the 1987 season’s rosters. Finding high grade examples of stars, rookies, and unique serially numbered parallel issues straight from the pack in pristine preserved condition is the collecting holy grail.

There were only an estimated 200-400 1987 Topps wax boxes originally produced for distribution. The scarcity combined with the vintage appeal has made intact unopened cases extremely desirable among today’s collectors. In fact, recently a sealed ’87 Topps box in gem mint condition achieved a sales price of over $20,000 at auction. While most will sell for a few thousand dollars currently, as the years pass examples will only become harder to find. For those willing to spend for the opportunity at history and potential future appreciation, an unopened 1987 Topps box offers a true once-in-a-lifetime collecting experience.

There are some things buyers need to be aware of when purchasing a potential reproduction or repackaged box being sold as unopened. First, reputable grading services like PSA or BGS can authenticate the product and ensure it has never been tampered with. A sealed shrink wrap is not a guarantee, as scammers have been known to reseal boxes. Checking for proper manufacturing markings and box condition are important tells. Also, while valuable, recently some counterfeit 1987 boxes have surfaced overseas and been introduced into the market. An experienced buyer and seller with references can help avoid such fraudulent items.

For the extremely dedicated collector, acquiring an authentic unopened 1987 Topps baseball card box is the pinnacle of the vintage collecting hobby. Offering a time capsule back to an iconic year in the sport’s history, it allows the opportunity to not just look at the included stars but feel the genuine experience of opening a fresh wax pack just as it was over 30 summers ago. The history, prospects of undiscovered treasures within, and potential future upside make these sealed cases highly desirable among today’s investor grade collectors. With rarity on their side, prices will likely continue climbing for legitimate unmolested ’87 Topps boxes for years to come. A true find for the ages.