1988 Kmart Baseball Cards Price Guide
Introduction
In 1988, Kmart partnered with Fleer to produce baseball cards that were exclusively sold in Kmart stores. These Kmart baseball cards featured current major league players and had glossy photo fronts with player stats and career highlights on the back. While not as valuable as flagship sets from Topps or Donruss, the 1988 Kmart baseball cards have developed a cult following among collectors in recent years. This price guide provides details on the design of the 1988 Kmart baseball card set and estimates current market values for individual cards and complete sets.
Card Design and Production Details
The 1988 Kmart baseball card set consisted of 330 total cards issued in wax packs containing 8 cards each. The front of each card featured a color photo of the player along with their name, team, and position in white text at the bottom. On the back was the player’s career statistics along with a short biography highlighting career achievements or fun facts. Rookie cards were designated with a star logo. The cards measured 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and had a glossy photo front with a gray colored back.
Fleer produced the cards using their standard photo and printing techniques of the time. The paper stock was of slightly lower quality than flagship Fleer and Topps sets released that same year. This has led to some cards showing more wear and tear along the edges over time compared to other 1988 issues. The cards also lacked any special parallel, insert, or autographed variations that added excitement to the mainstream sets.
Initial Distribution and Secondary Market Prices
When first released in 1988, the Kmart baseball cards sold exclusively in Kmart stores for 99 cents per wax pack. They were quite popular among young collectors but did not gain much attention in the wider hobby. In the following decades, prices for common cards ranged from a few cents to around a dollar depending on the player featured. Occasional stars like Ken Griffey Jr. or Mark McGwire would fetch a couple dollars but most cards held very little value.
In recent years collectors have taken a renewed interest in 1980s and 90s oddball issues. This has driven up demand and prices for complete 1988 Kmart sets on the secondary market. Today, a sealed wax pack can sell for $10-15 while a complete base set in mint/near mint condition brings $30-50. Individual star rookie cards from the set like Griffey, McGwire, or Barry Bonds are now worth $3-5 in comparable condition to their flagship counterparts. Hall of Famers fetch $5-10 depending on career achievements and the player.
Key Cards and Valuable Variations
While the 1988 Kmart set lacks true short prints or serially numbered parallels, there are a few standout cards that tend to command higher prices due to player performance or career milestones:
Ken Griffey Jr Rookie – Easily the most valuable single card at $15-25 graded gem mint.
Mark McGwire Rookie – Another hot rookie at $10-15 mint.
Barry Bonds Rookie – Surging to $8-12 with Bonds’ home run records.
Ozzie Smith – Iconic defensive wizard fetches $8-10.
Nolan Ryan – All-time strikeout king at $7-9.
Cal Ripken Jr. – Consistently $6-8 for the Iron Man.
Wade Boggs – Perennial .300 hitter at $5-7.
Roger Clemens – Rocket’s early years at $5-6.
Complete Set in Mint Condition – As noted, $30-50 depending on centering and corners.
While there are no true short prints, error cards, or serially numbered parallels, collectors will pay small premiums of $1-2 for stars appearing in their popular team uniforms like Griffey in a Mariners jersey. Overall condition and eye appeal are also important valuation factors for the Kmart cards like most vintage issues.
Conclusion
While overshadowed in the 1980s by flagship releases, the 1988 Kmart baseball card set has developed a cult following among collectors in recent years. Prices have risen steadily for complete sets and star rookie cards as fans rediscover these unique oddball issues. Condition is key, but affordable stars and Hall of Famers make this an attainable vintage set to build. The exclusive Kmart retail tie-in adds to the set’s nostalgic appeal. As interest grows, prices may continue climbing slowly but the cards offer affordable excitement from the late 80s hobby boom era.
