In 1987, Kmart celebrated its 20th anniversary by issuing a special series of baseball cards that were given away with purchases at its stores. Known as the Kmart 20th Anniversary Baseball Card set, it featured 100 card fronts featuring current major league players from 1987 along with historic photos and statistics on the reverse sides. While the cards didn’t excite collectors at the time due to their availability through a large retail chain, they have taken on increased significance and value in the decades since.
The idea behind the Kmart baseball card set was to celebrate the company’s 20 years of business through a nostalgic look back at the history of baseball alongside current players. Each card featured a photo of a major leaguer from 1987 on the front along with basic statistics. On the backs, under the “Kmart Salutes Baseball’s Past” logo were historical black and white photos from the early 20th century alongside Statistic accomplishments and factoids from players in the early days of professional baseball.
Some of the historic players featured included Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron among others. The set provided a unique “then and now” perspective on the game. Though produced on thinner stock paper than standard baseball cards of the time, the fronts featured sharp color photos and the backs conveyed a sense of appreciation of the roots of America’s pastime. The cards would have retailed for around $1-2 a pack at Kmart but were mainly inserted as incentives with other purchases.
Initially, the Kmart baseball cards did not inspire much interest from serious collectors. As promotion items given away at a general retailer, they lacked the mystique of packs or boxes sold traditionally through hobby shops and sport card outlets. Many were discarded or ended up in shoe boxes and attics instead of organized collections. In the decades since their release appreciation has grown for their historical focus bridging past and present and their availability has dwindled greatly as unsold stock disappeared.
This increasing scarcity has seen valuation rise, especially for sought-after stars of the late 20th century featured on the fronts. Top players like Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and Cal Ripken Jr. now command prices in the $10-25 range for mint condition examples on the secondary market. Complete sets in near-mint to mint condition have also gained value as collectors seek to obtain full runs of particular card issues. auctions over the past 5 years have seen estimated grades of 8-10 sell for $75-150 depending on the year.
Perhaps the most valuable card in the set is that of Andre Dawson, featured as a member of the Chicago Cubs in 1987. Not only was Dawson one of the game’s elite players at that time, winning the National League MVP award that year, but his choice of pose and expression resulted in an iconic baseball card image. In high grades of 8 or above, single Dawson cards can now sell for $50-100 individually. The card has become a highly sought vintage artifact depicting “The Hawk” at the peak of his career popularity.
While numbers printed of the Kmart set were high enough that single common cards are still attainable bargains, finding large portions of the set complete after 35 years requires more diligent searching. The combination of featuring both historic stars alongside the biggest names of the late 20th century MLB at a unique moment has given the cards lasting appeal for both casual fans and dedicated collectors. Examples in the highest available condition grades will likely continue their steady appreciation moving forward as one of the more recognizable baseball card issues produced outside the traditional sport card industry during the 1980s boom.
The Kmart 20th Anniversary Baseball Card set released in 1987 to celebrate the retailer’s history provided a unique photographic historical perspective bridging baseball’s past and present. While originally just promotional giveaways, the collectibility and value of the 100 card set has grown considerably over the decades as availability has dwindled. Key stars of the era like Andre Dawson have become particularly desirable, with complete high grade sets also attainable for dedicated collectors. The Kmart cards serve as an interesting historical capsule capturing the game at a special moment in time.
