The Topps Company is synonymous with baseball cards. Since the early 1950s, Topps has dominated the baseball card market and produced some of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby’s history. Let’s take an in-depth look at the history of Topps baseball cards from their origins to modern day.
Topps got their start in the trading card business in 1938 by producing “Magic Photos,” but it wasn’t until 1951 that they released their first set of modern baseball cards. Seeing an opportunity in the growing youth market, brothers Woody and Joel Klein, along with William “Bill” Toporzer, launched the first Topps baseball card set with designs, photos and stats of that season’s players. The 387 card set was a hit and helped kick off the golden age of baseball cards that lasted through the 1980s.
In the 1950s, Topps released new baseball card sets each year that featured the latest players and stats. They also began experimenting with innovative designs like the 1954 Bowman set that featured 3D images. Topps also struck licensing deals with MLB teams and players that gave them exclusive rights to use names and images, helping them dominate the baseball card industry for decades. Some of the most valuable and iconic cards from the 1950s include the iconic Mickey Mantle rookie card from 1952 as well as rookie cards of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente.
The 1960s saw Topps continue to innovate with new set designs and subsets while capturing the biggest stars and moments of that era like the 1960s expansion teams. In 1969, Topps released one of the most famous and valuable sets of all-time with the 1969 Topps complete with the famous rookie cards of Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan and Thurman Munson. The 1960s also saw Topps branch out and produce cards for other sports like football, basketball and hockey to grow their brand beyond just baseball.
The 1970s were the peak era for baseball card collecting popularity. In 1972, Topps produced the most famous error card of all-time – the infamous 1972 Topps Hank Aaron card printed with an image of Dick Allen on the back instead of Aaron. Other iconic 1970s rookie cards included George Brett, Nolan Ryan, Dave Winfield and Cal Ripken Jr. In 1975, Topps introduced the mini card size that is still used today. The late 1970s saw the rise of star players like George Foster and Dave Parker grace Topps cards as well as the introduction of traded sets and update series.
In the 1980s, Topps released some of the most visually striking and collectible sets ever. The 1981 and 1982 Topps Traded sets featured innovative die-cut and foil stamped designs. Rated rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett and Barry Larkin came out in the 1980s as well. The late 1980s saw the dawn of the “Junk Wax Era” as production skyrocketed, glutting the market with cards of stars like Mark McGwire and Roger Clemens.
The overproduction of the 1980s led to a market crash in the early 1990s. Topps lost its MLB licensing monopoly in 1992 when rival manufacturer Upper Deck was granted a license. This new competition ushered in an era of innovation like refractors and autographs on cards. In the late 1990s, Topps regained exclusive rights and the baseball card industry began to rebound and consolidate around the two main manufacturers.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Topps has continued to release annual flagship sets while also producing high-end parallel and autograph focused sets. The rise of the internet has allowed for online exclusive releases as well. Iconic rookies like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout have had their careers immortalized on modern Topps cards. In 2021, The Topps Company was purchased by Fanatics in a deal valued around $500 million, positioning Topps cards to reach a new generation of fans.
For over 70 years, Topps has been the dominant force in the baseball card industry. Through innovation, licensing agreements and capturing baseball’s biggest stars, Topps produced billions of cards that have brought joy to collectors and preserved the history of America’s pastime on cardboard. Whether it’s a vintage 1952 Mantle or a modern Trout rookie, Topps cards remain a vital part of baseball history and fandom.
