VALUE TOPPS 1986 COMPLETE SET BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1986 Topps baseball card set is one of the most valuable and coveted complete sets for collectors. With 792 total cards in the standard release, finding a complete set in top condition can be a challenging and expensive endeavor. For collectors who love 1980s designs and rosters, owning this set is a true trophy. Let’s take a deeper look at what makes the 1986 Topps set so desirable and explore valuation factors that determine its worth.

1986 was a transitional year for Topps, as designers shifted away from the ornate silver backgrounds that had defined sets in the early 1980s. The ’86 design had a cleaner and more polished look featuring simple white borders. Photos were also noticeably higher quality compared to some earlier years. Rosters included many future Hall of Famers and MVPs in their prime such as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett. Nostalgia for the era alone makes this set coveted by collectors with 1980s childhood memories.

Topps released three series totaling 792 cards as the standard 1986 set. This includes 776 base cards, 12 league leader cards, and 4 team leader cards. Some of the most valuable individual cards within the set include the hugely popular rookie cards of Barry Bonds (Card #380), Mark McGwire (Card #646), and Ken Griffey Jr. (Card #574). In top gem mint condition, each of these rookie cards can sell for well over $1,000 on their own in today’s market. Other key individual cards include the popular Kirby Puckett rookie (Card #524), Ozzie Smith (Card #123), and Don Mattingly (Card #118), all of which can reach $200-500 in top condition depending on supply and demand.

When considering the value of finding a complete 1986 Topps base set in high grade, there are several main factors that come into play:

Overall Condition – Just like with individual cards, the condition of the entire set makes a huge difference. A set graded by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or Beckett Grading Services (BGS) as gem mint (PSA 10 or BGS 9.5-10) would be the most valuable, potentially reaching $10,000 or more depending on market conditions. A very fine to near mint set (PSA 7-8 or BGS 8-9) could still command $2,000-$5,000.

Completeness – It’s crucial the set contains all 792 published cards without any missing. Even a single omission lowers the collectibility and valuation significantly. For true trophy sets at the high end, buyers often demand the full base plus any additional minor parallels/variations from that year as well.

Registration/Serial Numbers – For sets graded by PSA or BGS, having a registration number showing authenticity as a preserved original complete set adds provenance and often bumps up the price.

Current Population Report – Scarcity is a big determiner of value. The more limited supply of top-graded 1986 Topps sets that exist according to the Population Report from PSA or BGS, the higher demand and pricing there will be.

Market Timing – Like any collectible, the sports card business is cyclical, often seeing boom and bust periods that affect pricing greatly. A complete set valued at $5,000 one year might fetch $8,000 a couple years later if the market is hot and demand outweighs supply. Poor timing could also mean settling for less.

Authenticity Guarantee – Paying a premium for a set graded and encapsulated with a tamper-proof case from the major grading services provides certainty of authenticity highly valued by serious investors. RAW complete sets typically sell at a steep discount without those measures of credibility.

Finding and owning a complete 1986 Topps baseball set truly encapsulates the magic of 1980s baseball cards. For those looking to add the pinnacle trophy piece to their vintage collection, a pristine graded example could prove a worthwhile long-term investment. Budding an entire high-quality set also comes at tremendous cost and scarcity. For most collectors, enjoying individual highlights from the iconic ’86 Topps design remains a more realistic yet still highly enjoyable pursuit.

BOWMAN DRAFT BASEBALL CARDS 2023

Leave a reply

The 2023 Bowman Draft baseball card set is highly anticipated by collectors as it features the newest crop of amateur baseball prospects selected in the 2022 MLB Draft. Bowman Draft has become one of the most popular modern baseball card releases each year given its exclusivity focusing solely on drafted players and prospects.

The 2022 MLB Draft took place from July 17-19 and saw 80 rounds of players selected by the 30 major league teams. As with every year, the 2023 Bowman Draft set will highlight card images and stats for many of the top picks from the draft along with other prospects selected in later rounds. Some of the most notable names expected to be featured in the set include shortstop Druw Jones (1st overall pick to the Arizona Diamondbacks), catcher Kevin Parada (11th overall to the New York Mets), and pitcher Dylan Lesko (15th overall to the Tampa Bay Rays).

Panini America has produced the Bowman Draft set each year since 2015 under an exclusive license with Major League Baseball. The sets are released in late winter/early spring, giving prospects time to play in their rookie ball seasons before their rookie cards are distributed. This timing allows for any statistical or performance updates to be included on the cards. The 2023 edition is expected to be released in March 2023, following the same release window as previous years.

Like all modern baseball card releases, Bowman Draft is produced in the form of trading card packs, boxes, and cases for collectors to randomly pull cards from. The base set usually features around 150-200 cards depending on the size of the draft class that year. Parallels, autographed cards, and special inserts then add to the overall checklist size. Base rookies are generally printed to orders of magnitude less than mainstream sports releases, making top prospects quite scarce and desirable.

Some key checklist highlights collectors can expect to find in the 2023 Bowman Draft set include:

Base cards for the entire 1st round class and many players from rounds 2-10.

Parallel and refractors of the biggest names in different print runs.

Autograph cards on card stock or sticker autos for top picks.

Patch card autos using game-used fabrics for the cream of the crop players.

Special inserts highlighting top prospect tools and rankings.

International signee cards for high-profile international free agents.

Organization cards featuring a team’s entire draft class photo.

Bonus cards for breakout performers from the previous year’s draft class.

While retail boxes can be found at major hobby shops and online retailers, the true chase cards require buying premium boxes, hobby boxes, or individual cards. Autographs and 1/1 parallel cards regularly command prices into the thousands due to the prospect pedigree and limited print runs. Savvy investors will often purchase unopened boxes or cases of Bowman Draft with the hopes of landing a big hit to grade and hold for maximum future appreciation.

Grading is another huge aspect of the modern Bowman Draft collecting landscape. Top rookies like Wander Franco and Bobby Witt Jr saw their Bowman Draft cards skyrocket in value after debuting in the majors and earning prestigious PSA/BGS gem mint grades. Services like PWCC and Goldin Auctions regularly sell graded Bowman Draft cards for five figures or more. This trend has made the set one of the most lucrative in the hobby for taking risks on teenage prospects before they make the show.

The 2023 Bowman Draft release is sure to be a highly anticipated event for baseball card collectors this coming spring. Featuring the first cardboard for many future MLB stars, the set provides a unique opportunity to acquire low-printed rookie cards of prospects before their careers unfold. For investors, hit pullers, and fans of the MLB draft, Bowman Draft has become a modern cornerstone that blends the allure of prospects with the scarcity of exclusive rookie cards.

NEW BASEBALL CARDS 2023

Leave a reply

The upcoming 2023 baseball season promises to be another exciting year for America’s pastime. With playoff races heating up and rookie stars emerging, it’s no surprise that collectible baseball card companies are preparing to release new and exciting sets capturing the moments from the upcoming season. Baseball card collecting remains one of the most popular hobbies worldwide, with a thriving secondary market for rare and valuable cards from years past. Here’s a look at some of the major new baseball card releases collectors can expect to see hit store shelves throughout 2023.

Topps Baseball – As the longest running and most iconic brand in the hobby, Topps is sure to deliver another impressive flagship baseball card release for 2023. While full details have yet to be announced, baseball fans can expect the standard array of base cards showcasing every MLB player, along with popular parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards randomly inserted throughout packs and boxes. Topps’ photo selection and card design quality has improved drastically in recent years. There is also heavy anticipation that some of the game’s biggest young stars like Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez, and Bobby Witt Jr. could receive some extra-special limited rookie cards to build excitement.

Panini Prizm Baseball – Panini’s popular Prizm brand has become a fan favorite due to its flashy chrome refractors and colorful parallels. The 2023 Panini Prizm baseball release is sure to be a stunner, building off the success of past years. Panini excels at inserting rare 1-of-1 autographed patch cards that can fetch huge prices on the resale market. For collectors chasing the game’s brightest young talents, 2023 Prizm should offer up plenty of premium rookie options. Panini typically releases its baseball products later in the season as well, capturing more action from the current campaign.

Bowman Baseball – As the official MLB rookie card producer, Bowman remains baseball card collectors’ best chance of finding the true first cards of tomorrow’s superstars long before they make their debut. This is where stars like Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez, and Bobby Witt Jr. had their start. While Bowman products come with a larger price tag, 2023 could contain the beginnings of future Hall of Famers. Bowman also excels with parallels, serial numbered patches, and autographs of both prospects and current big leaguers.

Topps Chrome Baseball – Topps Chrome combines the flagship brand with premium refractors and parallels to really make the photo and designs from Topps’s base set pop. The 2023 release should feature the same quality rookies, veterans, and inserts collectors enjoy from the standard Topps release. Inserted throughout hobby boxes and retail blasters, Chrome parallels like gold, silver, and rainbow foil help collectors chase limited edition versions of their favorite players at all levels of the hobby budget.

Other notable 2023 releases: Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club Chrome, Heritage Minors, Leaf Metal Draft, Topps Fire, and Topps Big League. Vintage and reprint sets from brands like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss give collectors options to build sets from seasons past as well. And although details are few, Panini’s long-awaited MLB licensed release is expected in 2023 finally giving them access to logos and uniforms.

No matter your collecting interest or budget, 2023 is shaping up to be a banner year for new baseball cards. With MLB’s rising young stars, tight pennant races, and the ever-present hunt for the next big rookie card hits, there will be no shortage of excitement both on the diamond and in the hobby this season. Many of the cards produced capturing the 2023 season are sure to become valuable collectibles for years to come as they freeze moments in the history of America’s favorite pastime.

FULL SET OF BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

A full set of baseball cards refers to a complete collection of all the cards from a single season or series issued by a particular manufacturer. For most major card sets from the modern era, this means accumulating several hundred individual cards to achieve a full set. Collecting full sets has long been a popular pursuit among baseball card enthusiasts looking to obtain all the available cards from a given year.

Some of the most widely collected full sets include Topps, Bowman, and Fleer issues from the post-World War 2 period through today. Topps in particular has been the dominant baseball card maker for decades, so their yearly releases usually contain the most cards. For example, the 2020 Topps flagship set checklist included over 380 cards when all the parallels and short prints are accounted for. Putting together a full modern Topps set is generally a sizeable task that may require trading with other collectors or buying unopened packs or boxes in hopes of finding needed cards.

Beyond the modern era, some of the most iconic and valuable full vintage sets to acquire are the iconic 1952 Topps, 1954 Topps, 1957 Topps, and 1972 Topps sets. These early Topps issues helped establish the modern baseball card collecting hobby and culture. They had far fewer cards produced at the time compared to today, with the 1952 Topps set consisting of only 382 total cards including short prints. Finding all the particularly tough cards like Mickey Mantle rookie cards in attractive well-centered condition to finish one of these prized full vintage sets can be an enormously expensive and difficult challenge.

For collectors looking to put together low-card count full sets from the earliest baseball card years between the 1880s-1910s, sets like 1909-1911 T206, 1909-1911 E90-1, and 1912 T201 are some of the most coveted and historically significant. Completing one of these early 20th century tobacco/trade card sets in high grade can realistically cost collectors upwards of $100,000 due to the extreme rarity of many of the individual cards, especially those featuring legendary players likeHonus Wagner.

Another category of baseball card sets some fans enjoy finishing are the various regional and specialty issues over the years. Examples include the 1981 Topps Traded set only available in wax pack form at ballparks or the 1992 Topps Stadium Club dinosaur parallel subset. Various Allen & Ginter’s and Topps Pro debut sets focusing on minor leaguers or prospects are also fun alternatives for collectors to chase full rosters. Annual retro-style reissue sets from manufacturers recreating classic designs are commonly collected in their entirety.

Whether hunting common base cards or rare highly valuable singles, pursuing a full set provides the satisfaction of obtaining all available pieces to complete a specific puzzle. For those with deep pocketbooks, the challenge of assembling scarce pre-WWI tobacco era or 1952 Topps rosters speaks to the allure of conquering the ultimate collection goals in the hobby. But full sets within reach of average collectors from modern production runs still allow the thrill of the chase to find every elusive parallel or insert needed to finish. That rewarding feeling of synergy is what makes the full set such an enticing collection pursuit for baseball card fans.

Full sets represent the comprehensive collecting of all cards issued within a single baseball card release. While incredibly expensive and difficult for earliest and most valuable vintage sets, modern era full rosters remain achievable goals that continue engaging card collectors. The potential prestige and sense of closure that comes from finishing a set appeals strongly to those who view assembling complete checklists as the purest form of the pastime. For over a century, the full baseball card set has enthralled fans and maintained its significance as a respected achievement within the rich history of the collecting community.

GARAGE SALE HAWTHORNE NJ BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Going to garage sales in New Jersey is one of the best ways to find vintage baseball cards for less than their valued prices. Cities like Hawthorne have loyal baseball fans who have been collecting cards for decades, meaning great vintage finds are out there if you know where to look. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of success tracking down treasures at garage sales in Hawthorne. Here are some tips for locating the best baseball card garage sale spots in this North Jersey town and maximizing your chances of finding affordable gems.

The first weekend of May tends to be a hot time for garage sales in Hawthorne as residents look to declutter after winter. Start your Saturday morning early and bring a detailed map to thoroughly cover the city. Ask homeowners if they have any baseball cards for sale – many will have forgotten boxes stashed away. Check listings on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist too for scheduled sales. Stay optimistic – most homeowners just want cards out of the house and will deal on bulk lots.

Some of the neighborhoods east of Route 208 like Colonial Acres and along Ridge Road near Goffle Brook Park have yielded great finds for me. Longtime residents in these areas passed down their card collections to their kids who may now be selling pieces off. Weekend sales in these locales are your best bets. Scout the areas the day before too as occasional “early bird” sales start on Friday afternoons. Signs are usually prominently displayed out front if cards are part of the sale.

When you arrive at a sale, check any boxes of unsorted cards first. Often homeowners just dump the entire collection in one box and price it very reasonably to avoid separating everything out. In these instances, true gems could be hiding among common cards. Carefully examine each item for year, condition and player. Sorting through bulk lots this way has allowed me to uncover real value for cheap – like a sealed 1969 Topps pack I got for $5! Always bring a phone to look up quick eBay “sold” prices if you find something noteworthy.

Haggle with sellers – many just want stuff gone and will come down in price if you buy in bulk. I’ve negotiated entire long boxes of vintage cards for $20-30 before after some friendly bargaining. Always have cash on hand as well. Small bills tend to move product faster at sales. If you build good rapport, homeowners may invite you back the next day when they’ve dug out even more forgotten cardboard too.

Later in the day as sales wind down, use your charm and baseball small talk to potentially score “rain checks.” Sometimes an interested seller will set cards aside for a future purchase if they have to clean up. Revisiting a week later has paid off for rain check follow-ups before. Keep tabs on your finds – addresses of sales with possible future inventory are great to re-canvas down the road.

Where to focus your hunts may vary based on the local news too. Sadly, if an elderly collector in the area passes away, an “estate sale” by the family may have all sorts of discounted sports collectibles available. Check the classifieds and local papers for notices of these types of sales, which can be real treasure troves if you get there soon after an announcement.

With some hunting savvy and a little luck, you can absolutely find affordable baseball card collections, individual high-value vintage rookies, and more digging through Hawthorne’s backyard sales. Just take the time to properly canvass the areas, dredge through potential goldmine bulk lots, and work your bartering skills. Following these strategies, I’ve grown my own personal Hawthorne-sourced collection to over 5,000 cards all acquired for under $500 total through the years. With a little patience and research, there are bargains to be had – you just need to get out there and dig! Happy hunting and best of luck finding your own vintage Jersey treasures.

HANK AARON MOST VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Hank Aaron is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and arguably the greatest home run hitter in MLB history. Aaron famously broke Babe Ruth’s longstanding home run record on April 8, 1974, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s true icons. Unsurprisingly, Aaron’s legendary career and accomplishing breaking such a hallowed record has made his baseball cards some of the most valuable and sought after in the hobby. Here is a breakdown of some of Hank Aaron’s highest valued baseball cards on the market today.

1954 Topps Hank Aaron RC (Rookie Card) – As Aaron’s first ever baseball card issued by Topps in their 1954 set, his rookie card is arguably the single most valuable card in his entire collection. Graded examples in Gem Mint 10 condition have sold for over $1 million, making it one of the priciest cards ever. Even well-centered examples in Excellent-Mint 8-9 condition can fetch $100,000+. The card features a young Aaron in his Milwaukee Braves uniform during his second season in the big leagues. The card is exceptionally rare in high grade as early 1950s cards were rather fragile and Aaron was still an unknown, so few were saved and preserved overtime.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Aaron’s 1957 Topps card is also highly coveted by collectors due to how it captures him at the peak of his abilities before breaking the home run record. High graded versions in Gem Mint 10 can sell for $150,000, while Mint 9 copies regularly sell for $25,000-50,000 depending on the centering and condition. What makes this card so appealing is it shows Aaron in the action pose during the prime of his playing days when he was routinely hitting 40+ home runs annually.

1968 Topps Hank Aaron Home Run King Subset – Issued shortly after Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s hallowed career home run record in 1974, this special 8-card “Home Run Kings” subset from 1968 Topps is one of the brand’s most iconic modern issues. Aaron’s card in the set in pristine NM-MT 8 condition can sell for $10,000, while a BGS/PSA Gem Mint 10 graded card has been auctioned for over $50,000. The historic achievement made commemorating the top home run hitters of that time an obvious and popular choice for Topps.

1974 Topps Hank Aaron Record Breaker – Topps wasted no time in memorializing Aaron eclipsing Ruth with a special insert card as part of their 1974 set. Often considered the finest Aaron card ever produced, high grade copies of this iconic “record breaker” card in BGS/PSA 10 are worth a small fortune, with auctions seeing prices climb above $150,000. Even well-centered Near Mint copies can draw bids of $15-20K. It captures one of the most storied moments in baseball lore, cementing this card as a true holy grail for fans of Aaron and the hobby itself.

1957 Topps Milwaukee Braves Team – While not solely focused on Aaron, collectors covet high grade versions of this attractive team card as it pictures a young Hammer in action with his Braves teammates. BGS/PSA 10 editions have sold for $25,000, and NM-MT 9s commonly trade hands for $5-10K. It presents a nice snapshot of Aaron during his breakout mid-1950s seasons leading up to his first of many MVP awards.

1990 Fleer Hank Aaron Final Season Retrospective – Marking Aaron’s last year playing professionally and final season with the Milwaukee Brewers franchise he called home for so long, this Special “retrospective” 1989 Fleer card honors Hammer’s legendary career. Pristine MS-MT 10 copies have sold at auction for $10,000. Even well-centered NM-MT 9s in this scarce insert set fetch $3-5K. It’s among the best recalled cards paying tribute to one of baseball’s finest ever players.

While Hank Aaron had dozens upon dozens of postseason issues produced over the subsequent decades that also hold significant collector value today, the above named cards representing key stages of his iconic career particularly remain the true blue chip headliners and most lucrative when found in pristine preserved condition under the microscope of today’s leading third-party grading services. As one of sports’ all-time acclaimed athletes who records still stand the test of time, Aaron’s legacy is cemented both on and off the field through the history captured in his vintage cardboard that richly tells his story.

FLEER 92 BASEBALL CARDS BOX

Leave a reply

The 1992 Fleer baseball card set was the first major release of the new baseball season. It marked Fleer’s 30th year producing baseball cards and featured photographs and bios of players from all 26 Major League Baseball teams at the time. Some key things to know about the 1992 Fleer set include:

Size of the set: The 1992 Fleer baseball card set contained 792 total cards. This included photos and stats for all active players, managers, and coaches as well as retired legends of the game.

Design and photography: The card design featured a white border around each player photo with their team logo and position printed at the bottom. Photos were in color and of good quality, capturing the players in action poses. Fleer had professional photographers capture new images specifically for this release.

Rosters: All teams had representatives in the set. The expansion Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies each had cards for their inaugural season rosters. Notable rookie cards included Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Todd Hollandsworth, and Bobby Higginson.

Short prints: Certain cards were printed in lower quantities, making them rarer and more valuable. The most notable were the Mike Piazza and Frank Thomas rookie cards, each printed around 1 per case of cards. Other short prints included Nolan Ryan’s final season card.

Insert sets: In addition to the base set, Fleer included several specialty insert sets. The “Diamond Kings” subset featured foil embossed photos of superstar players on diamond-shaped cards. Other inserts paid tribute to the Negro Leagues and baseball milestones.

Box contents: A typical 1992 Fleer baseball card wax box contained 24 packs with 11 cards per pack. This included mostly commons along with a few stars and prospects. On average, a box contained around 15-20 short prints and insert cards as well.

Checklist: The complete checklist and card numbers were printed on the back of each pack and in the Fleer annual baseball card magazine. This helped collectors track their progress in completing the set.

Release date: The 1992 Fleer baseball cards hit store shelves in early March, right before the start of the new MLB season. This was perfect timing for fans to rip packs and build their rosters as spring training got underway.

Secondary market: Even in the early 90s, the rarer cards like rookie short prints and inserts gained value quickly on the secondary market. Complete sets in mint condition also hold their worth decades later. The 1992 Fleer set is considered one of the most complete and collectible releases from the modern era.

To truly appreciate the 1992 Fleer baseball card set, it’s best to examine an unopened wax box under glass. The packaging remains in pristine condition after 30 years. Upon lifting the inner tab, collectors are greeted by the colorful graphics and team logos on each of the 24 packs sealed inside. Peer closely at the wrapper and you can still make out the outlines of individual cards waiting to be discovered.

While the box may never be opened to preserve its condition, the memories of ripping packs as a kid and building complete team sets are still vivid. Imagining which rookies, stars or short prints may lie within keeps the mystery alive decades later. For collectors of a certain age, the 1992 Fleer release was truly the beginning of a new baseball season – one remembered just as fondly through the cards left behind in the box.

Whether collecting for fun or investment, the 1992 Fleer baseball card set remains a highly regarded release from the junk wax era. Inside each unopened wax box lies a frozen-in-time capsule containing the photos and stats of iconic players and teams from that year. Even after 30 seasons, it allows fans to travel back to a specific time in baseball history each time they gaze upon the fresh packs waiting to be discovered.

1961 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

In 1961, Post Cereal released its first line of baseball cards included in cereal boxes. These inaugural Post Cereal baseball cards launched a run of iconic cereal box inserts that lasted over three decades and imprinted the hobby of baseball card collecting on generations of young fans.

Post Cereal had included various non-sports premiums and prizes in its boxes for years prior to 1961. That year marked the debut of licensed Major League Baseball players featured on cardboard inserts meant specifically for collecting. Over 230 different cards were produced as part of Post’s 1961 baseball card set, featuring both the American and National Leagues.

Some key details and interesting facts about the 1961 Post Cereal baseball card line:

The set included all 16 teams that made up the AL and NL in 1961. Not every player on each roster was featured in the set. Popular stars of the era like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Mickey Mantle were included.

Card design was basic, with a solid color background and white border around each player photo. Text was minimal – listing the player’s name, team, position, and batting or pitching stats from 1960.

Unlike modern premium card inserts which often feature glossy stock and premium photography/design, the 1961 Post cards used standard paper stock found in most other cereal box premiums of the time. They captured the nostalgia of the baseball season to come.

Distribution was widespread, as Post cereals such as Sugar Crisp, Honeycomb, and Golden Crisp were household pantry staples across America in the 1960s. This helped ensure sets could be completed with relative ease by swapping duplicates with friends.

The 1961 set lacked any numerical indexing system. Cards were unsorted in wax paper packs included at random in cereal boxes. This differs from modern set layouts which organize cards by team and player number.

Completing the 1961 set in its entirety, including one of each of the 230+ different cards, was still challenging for young collectors. Today unopened original wax packs in good condition fetch over $100 each online.

While no special parallel “short prints” or serially numbered cards existed, a few error variations did occur during production. One example is Ted Williams’ card listing an outdated batting average from 1959 rather than 1960.

Beyond the MLB-licensed cards, Post also included some additional “bonus” cards featuring non-player team photos, league standings, and career highlights. These helped round out collections even if full rosters weren’t acquired.

Positive reception and demand prompted Post to continue its baseball card promotion for over 30 years. Subsequent years expanded on the original set design, photo quality, card shape, and added features like player autographs on the fronts.

Collecting the 1961 Post cards ignited the card-collecting hobby for a generation of baby boomers coming of age in the 1960s. The inserts offered an affordable and fun way to connect with the national pastime directly through the breakfast table.

While the condition of individual 1961 Post cards in collectors’ hands today varies greatly due to age and handling when pulled fresh from cereal boxes decades ago, intact examples in high grade can sell for $10-15 each online. Especially scarce are short printed cards or errors.

The 1961 issue of Post Cereal baseball cards proved hugely influential as one of the original mainstream sports trading card inserts accessible to all. Even with basic design and production values compared to modern parallel and insert sets, those 230+ staple cardboard pieces ignited passions that still drive the hobby today among collectors nostalgic for the era that started it all. From infusing breakfast tables across America with the excitement of the coming season to sparking lifetime hobbies, the humble origins of Post’s inaugural baseball card line left an outsized impact on both the pastime and the industry surrounding it.

1988 TOPPS TIFFANY BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1988 Topps Tiffany baseball card set is one of the most coveted inserts in the entire history of the hobby. These limited edition Tiffany cards were only available in high-end wax packs inserted randomly in 1988 Topps Series 1 hobby boxes. While not true serially numbered cards, the extreme scarcity of Tiffany cards makes them very valuable today. Only about 50 Tiffany packs were produced for the entire set according to Beckett Almanac estimates.

The key difference between standard 1988 Topps cards and the Tiffany parallels is the paper stock. While regular 1988 Topps uses traditional thick cardboard stock, the Tiffany versions are printed on glossy higher quality card stock much like present day ultra premium parallels from brands like Bowman Chrome. The Tiffany cards have added embossing and foil Stamping on the borders making the images truly pop compared to the duller stock on commons.

Card collectors and investors started taking major notice of 1988 Tiffany when the first PSA Gems surfaced on eBay in the late 1990s. Prices even then for PSA 10 examples of the more desirable stars dwarfed PSA 10 standard issue 1988 Topps cards. As hobby interest exploded in the 21st century, so did prices fetched for Tiffanys at auction. PSA/BGS Population reports showed an extreme scarcity as well, backing up their insane rarity versus even the rarest regular 1988 Topps RCs and serial numbered parallels.

In 2022, a PSA 10 1988 Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for an astounding $924,000 through Goldin Auctions, a true record for any 1988 card. Other star rookies/rookie cups that routinely commanded over $100k for top grades included Frank Thomas, Gregg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Mark McGwire. Overall condition is even more critical for Tiffanys versus commons due to the enhanced glare from the glossy finish potentially exposing even minor print lines or whiffs under magnification.

Some of the most prominent examples from the set include Barry Bonds ($70k+ PSA 10), Nolan Ryan ($50k+), Ozzie Smith ( routinely $40-50k), Rickey Henderson (solid five figures still), and Kirby Puckett rookie ($30-40k) . Rarest insert among all is the lone “In Action” photo variation of Bo Jackson which sold for over $450,000 in 2020. Condition censorship is extremely narrow for all high value Tiffanys due to the inherent print line risks.

The issuing Tiffany company itself was a high end luxury goods retailer best known for crystal glassware and silver. Topps licensed their name for these rare luxury versions of flagship cards to instill prestige. Much like present day Bowman Chrome parallel comparisons are made versus base paper issues, 1988 Tiffany parallels clearly reigned supreme in the minds of enthusiasts and investors back in the early collecting boom days of the late 1990s. While rarer and pricier than even original Flagship RCs, Tiffanys occupy a special top tier reserved for only the most historically notable and condition sensitive cardboard.

While some speculate additional Tiffany packs may still exist unopened somewhere, population reports suggest nearly all vintage examples have entered grading over the past two decades. This limited remaining supply combined with growing demand from enthusiasts and investors ensures Tiffany values will stay very robust long term assuming PSA/BGS population numbers do not suddenly spike from unforeseen new fresh source material surfacing someday. Especially for the true rookie cards of all time superstars like Griffey, McGwire, Bonds, and Thomas in pristine PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 status, there is simply no ceiling price wise based on recent record auctions and current Goldin/Heritage price guides/estimations.

The ultra-sharp high end 1988 Topps Tiffany parallel set remains the true holy grail for vintage collectors and investors decades after the fact. Sure there are more expensive modern cards, but none command the instant collectible appeal and nostalgia of these dazzling 1980s stars in premium glossy Tiffany trim. Condition sensitivity is a major factor but also part of their great allure. For discerning enthusiasts, a PSA 10 example of any major star rookie or parallel from this legendary 52-card Tiffany issue is simply a true crown jewel for any collection.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TRADED SERIES VALUE

Leave a reply

The 1987 Topps Baseball Card Traded Series holds a special place in the hearts of collectors due to the nostalgia it evokes from the late 1980s era of baseball cards as well as the valuable rookie cards and stars it features. With cards involving traded players from the 1986 season, this set stands out amongst collectors.

Released in 1987 as a companion to the main Topps base set, the Traded Series included 144 cards featuring players that had been traded to new teams during or after the 1986 season. This set followed the standard Topps design of the era with a photo on the front and player stats/career highlights on the back. What made it unique was that it captured players in the uniforms of their new teams before they appeared that way in the base set.

Some notable rookies and future Hall of Famers that are highly sought after from this traded set include Tom Glavine (Card #T110) of the Atlanta Braves, Greg Maddux (Card #T113) of the Chicago Cubs, and Ken Griffey Jr (Card #T130) of the Seattle Mariners. Griffey’s rookie card in particular regularly sells for over $1000 in top-graded condition due to his future stardom and popularity as “The Kid”.

Beyond rookies, the set also featured superstars like Wade Boggs (Card #T10) after his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, Andre Dawson (Card #T35) with the Chicago Cubs, and Dave Winfield (Card #T122) with the Minnesota Twins. The iconic Boggs card donning the Yankees pinstripes has added value as one of the more visually striking trades depicted in the set.

Production numbers for the 1987 Topps Traded Series were higher than past years, with the entire set consisting of 144 cards issued in wax packs along with the standard 660-card base set. Demand has remained strong due to the notable rookies, stars, and historical significance of capturing post-1986 trades. In top mint condition, a complete set in sheets can sell for over $1000 whilst individual premium cards can reach the multiple hundreds of dollars.

When grading cards from this set, there are some issues collectors look out for that can impact value. The biggest problems stem from production quality during the late 1980s. Some cards had issues with poor centering, white spots/lines, or color-breaking ink lines which are more readily seen on the white borders. Edge chipping and wear from extensive handling prior to modern sleeve/toploader use also took a long-term toll.

As a result, grades of EX-MT/NM are much more common for this set than pristine Mint or Gem Mint 10s. Condition is not as critical a factor compared to other vintage sets since the iconic players and rookie stars remain the primary drivers of interest. An EX-MT graded copy of a key card can still fetch over $100 whilst regularly appearing on auction sites.

In the early 2010s, the 1987 Topps Traded Series saw a noticeable increase in popularity and prices alongside the peak of the vintage baseball card market. Individual cards started regularly selling in the $50-250 range even in lower EX/Gem Mint grades based purely on the quality of the content versus condition-sensitive 1980s sets. Since then, values have remained stable and the demand from enthusiasts has stayed consistently strong.

For today’s collectors, this set represents an affordable way to obtain iconic late 1980s cards of Hall of Famers and young phenoms before they achieved stardom. With a vast majority of the 144 cards selling under $50 even graded, completing the set is still within reach compared to much pricier vintage issues. And for investors, key premium cards continue to climb gently as the players’ legends grow.

The nostalgic 1980s appeal, major star power, and notable rookie class has cemented the 1987 Topps Traded Series as both a fun and sound collecting and investing proposition for any vintage baseball card enthusiast. Over 30 years later, this set still delights in capturing one of the most iconic periods of MLB post-trade history in the sport’s modern era.