Topps baseball cards have a rich history dating back to the 1950s. As one of the most iconic companies in the sports card industry, Topps has forged partnerships with MLB and become renowned for producing high-quality collectibles year after year. Let’s take a deeper look at the story of Topps baseball cards.
Topps got its start in 1938 as a chewing gum company trying to find novel ways to market its product. In the early 1950s, Topps executive Sy Berger had the novel idea of including collectible photos of baseball players with their gum. At the time, collectors were exchanging cigarette cards and non-sports memorabilia. Topps saw an opportunity to create branded baseball cards to include in their gum packs.
In 1952, Topps released its first complete set featuring over 400 baseball cards of players from the National and American Leagues. Each pack included a piece of bubblegum and cost only 5 cents. Some key highlights from that inaugural set include Mickey Mantle’s rookie card and the first-ever card featuring Jackie Robinson as a Brooklyn Dodger. The release was an instant success and kicked off a collecting phenomenon.
Topps would go on to produce sets each year alongside new seasons of MLB action. The company established exclusive agreements with both MLB and the Players Association, securing the official league licenses. Topps developed iconic designs for their borders and backs during this classic era. Popular subsets would showcase rookie cards, leaders, All-Stars and World Series performers. Exclusive photos and hand-signed versions commanded premium value.
The 1960s saw Topps solidify its dominance through expanded Checklists, minis, and oddball promotions. Sets grew yearly alongside the league’s expansion. Notable ’60s additions included the rookie cards of Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver, and Johnny Bench. The 1969 issue marked the debut of multi-player action photos on cards. Topps also introduced bright colorful borders ahead of the “Fun Packs” of the 1970s.
During the 1970s and 80s, Topps continued innovating their sports card offerings aligned with baseball’s changes. 1972 introduced the first National League Championship subset. 1976 debuted the first League Leader cards. Sets grew bigger annually with All-Star, team issues, and traded versions as subsets. Unique promotional subsets mirrored televised games alongside baseball’s increased visibility. Competition emerged, but Topps remained the recognized leader.
The 1990s witnessed a modern renaissance as collectors embraced chase cards and parallel inserts. Ultra-rare individual player cards drove up values exponentially. Refractors, autographs, and serial numbering elevated parallels to new levels. Despite struggles, Topps found renewed footing thanks to licensed formats like Topps Stadium Club. Expansive checklists and premium hits kept the company cutting edge.
Topps has endured through multiple decades adapting to baseball’s trends and new collector tastes. In 2007, the company released its highly anticipated 600th set celebrating 55 years of iconic MLB cards. More recently, Topps has impressed with short print parallels, autographed memorabilia cards, and inserts focused on special anniversaries. Through strategic innovation, securing official MLB rights, and quality designs—Topps transcended from gum inclusion to hobby juggernaut. Their baseball cards remain prized collectibles chronicling the game’s history.
The brand is still going strong into the 2020s through innovative digital initiatives. Pioneering the use of NFTs, Topps now issues unique digital cards as limited edition blockchain collectibles. Their application seamlessly merges traditional collecting with modern tech. Other initiatives include augmented reality apps bringing virtual cards to life, short attention span boxes, and memorabilia-focused products.
As a venerable institution for over 70 years, Topps baseball cards have chronicled players, teams and seasons like no other. While competitors come and go, Topps remains the benchmark by which all others are measured thanks to a commitment to quality, creativity and relationship with players and MLB alike. Their designs, innovations and vast archives have ensured Topps’ authentic place within the hobby for generations of sports card collectors worldwide.
