Baseball cards have been an integral part of American culture since the late 19th century. It was Topps Chewing Gum Company that helped transform baseball cards from a niche hobby into a mainstream passion enjoyed by millions. Since the early 1950s, Topps has reigned as the undisputed king of baseball cards, producing iconic sets year after year that have captured the essence of the national pastime for generations of fans.
Topps got its start in 1938 by founder Woody Klein and brothers Ira and Leslie Riklis as the Brooklyn-based Topps Chewing Gum. Their first product was Bazooka bubble gum sold with comic strips on the wrapper. In the early 1950s, Topps began experimenting with including baseball cards in their gum packs. At the time, Bowman and Leaf were the dominant baseball card producers. However, Topps saw an opportunity and in 1951 released their first complete set featuring players from that year.
The 1951 Topps set revolutionized the baseball card industry by being the first to use color photos on the front of all cards instead of black and white images or drawings. The cards featured vivid action shots that brought the players to life for collectors. Topps also included important stats on the back of each card such as career batting averages. The 1951 Topps set was an immediate success and marked the beginning of Topps’ long reign at the top of the baseball card world.
In the following years, Topps continued to innovate by being the first company to feature rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Willie Mays in 1951 and Hank Aaron in 1954. Topps also introduced the concept of parallel sets with special issues featuring All-Stars or league leaders. By the mid-1950s, Topps had cornered over 90% of the baseball card market share. Bowman and other competitors either went out of business or stopped producing cards altogether. Topps’ monopoly allowed them to sign exclusive contracts with Major League Baseball, the players association, and individual teams to use their logos and likenesses.
Some of the most iconic Topps sets of the 1950s and 1960s featured the likes of Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, Sandy Koufax, and Bob Gibson. Topps also began issuing cards for other sports besides baseball such as football and hockey. In the late 1950s, Topps introduced the concept of short printed cards that were scarcer in packs to increase chase and trade value for collectors. Some of the most coveted include the 1959 Bazooka Hank Aaron and 1959 Topps Roberto Clemente.
The 1960s saw Topps push the boundaries of card design with innovative sets such as 1966 Topps which featured action photos in color spanning the front and back of the card. Topps also began experimenting with oddball issues such as postcards, paperweights, and even a board game in the late 1960s. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Mike Schmidt further captured the excitement of the era for collectors.
In the 1970s, Topps continued its tradition of classic designs with sets celebrating the 25th anniversary of the company in 1973 and the American Bicentennial in 1976. The 1970s also saw a boom in the popularity of collecting as baby boomers fueled demand. The era produced arguably the most iconic rookie card of all-time with the 1975 Topps Frank Robinson featuring “The Natural.” Topps introduced limited edition parallel sets signed by the players which are now extremely valuable.
The 1980s marked another golden age for Topps as stars like Dwight Gooden, Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds had their rookie cards gracing packs. In 1987, Topps produced the hugely popular set featuring player photos on the front in addition to the standard team logo design which had been the norm. The late 1980s saw the beginnings of the modern sports card industry as speculators drove prices sky high on hot rookie cards and memorabilia.
In the 1990s, collectors went wild for insert sets featuring parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards of superstars like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Derek Jeter. The ultra-premium Finest and Elite Extra Editions sets delivered exquisite card designs and autographs. The 1990s also marked the beginning of licensed non-sports entertainment cards such as Star Wars which Topps produced.
The 2000s saw the rise of parallel autograph and memorabilia “hits” in every hobby box which drove speculation to new heights. Topps produced innovative sets like Artifacts, Inception, and Signature Series featuring exquisite memorabilia relics. Digital platforms also began to take hold with online exclusives. In 2007, The Topps Company spun off from parent company American Brands to become an independent public entity.
In the 2010s, Topps has continued to thrive despite increased competition from Panini and other manufacturers. Topps has remained the dominant force in baseball while expanding into popular properties such as Star Wars, WWE, Garbage Pail Kids, and Disney. Topps also introduced high-end limited releases like Topps Chrome, Bowman Sterling, and Topps T206 which fetch astronomical prices. Into the 2020s, Topps remains the most iconic brand in the sports card industry and the standard bearer for capturing baseball’s past, present, and future through innovative and collectible cards.
For over 70 years, Topps Baseball Cards have provided a visual history of America’s national pastime. Topps sets have immortalized baseball’s greatest players and moments. Generations have bonded through collecting, trading, and appreciating the artistic designs and photography within Topps packs. Whether a $5 or $500,000 card, Topps remains the most revered and collectible brand in the hobby. Topps’ legacy and impact on popular culture ensures its place alongside peanut butter, hot dogs, and apple pie as quintessential symbols of baseball.
