Tag Archives: 1987

SPORTSCARD PRO 1987 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 baseball season was an exciting one for fans as star players like Andre Dawson, Mark McGwire, and Ozzie Smith had amazing seasons. This excitement carried over to the collectible baseball card hobby as the Sportscard Pro set from Sportscard Inc. was released featuring photography and designs that captured the essence of the year in baseball.

Sportscard Inc. was a smaller trading card company that emerged in the mid-1980s alongside the larger players in the industry like Topps and Donruss. They aimed to provide an affordable baseball card option for collectors while still maintaining quality photography and card stock. Their 1987 Sportscard Pro set became one of their most popular releases of the decade.

The 1987 Sportscard Pro set contains 330 total cards and was sold in wax packs of 8 cards each. Some notable subset included were Traded players, Managers, Rookies, and All-Stars. The base cards featured vibrant solid color borders and individual posed photography of each player on a white background. Sportscard Inc. was able to obtain rights to use team logos, making their designs feel more authentic compared to some other smaller brands at the time.

Card quality was above average for Sportscard Inc. with thick, glossy stock that showed off the colorful photography nicely. Centering tended to vary but were certainly on par with other 1987 releases. The photos themselves captured each players’ signature stance and the brightening favored bringing out facial features. Andre Dawson’s intense gaze as he swings is particularly striking on his base card.

Rookies included in the 1987 Sportscard Pro set that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers were Gregg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz from the Atlanta Braves as well future 300 game winner Curt Schilling from the Baltimore Orioles. Mark McGwire’s rookie card showcases his sheer size and power as a rising star for the Oakland A’s. Star rookie cards like these would increase dramatically in value in later years.

Other notable rookie cards included Allan Trammell, Frank Thomas, and Tony Fernandez. The manager cards paid tribute to legends like Dick Williams, Whitey Herzog, and Tommy Lasorda. Traded cards highlighted deals before and during the 1987 season like Gary Gaetti going from Minnesota to California. All-Star cards recognized the best performances of the year prior.

One of the special aspects of Sportscard Pro was licensed player signature cards. Signatures were obtained on simple white stock meant to be trimmed out and affixed to the corresponding base card. True 1/1 autographs of Hall of Famers like Mike Schmidt, Eddie Murray, and Ozzie Smith added immense value and desirability to a hobbyist’s collection from this set.

When first released in 1987, a wax pack of Sportscard Pro could be found for around $1 at most hobby shops and convenience stores. As the decades passed, the rise in popularity of the players featured, particularly the rookie cards, caused values to escalate steadily. In near mint condition, a full set today might fetch $300-500 while a single star rookie like McGwire could be worth over $100 by itself. Signed cards of elite players command prices in the thousands.

While Sportscard Inc. no longer produces sets today, its 1987 Sportscard Pro release remains a frequently discussed vintage issue. Its affordable price point allowed many children first experiencing the baseball card hobby to build a collection featuring future Hall of Famers. Over time, those childhood memories coupled with the increase in demand for vintage cardboard cemented its popularity among enthusiasts and investors alike. For capturing a snapshot of the 1987 season that still excites collectors over 30 years later, Sportscard Pro endures as one of the premier baseball card sets of the decade.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS DATABASE

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the venerable card company. With 792 total cards issued, the 1987 set featured every Major League player and manager from the 1986 season. It remains one of the most complete representations of that baseball year ever assembled in card form.

Some key details about the 1987 Topps baseball card set:

The design featured a transition from the previous years’ sets to a slicker, modernized style. Gone were the painted portraits, replaced by cleaner photography with colored borders and team logos. Still, it maintained Topps’ traditional look and feel that collectors had come to expect.

Rated a 5.5 out of 10 for overall condition, the cards were of reasonably high quality with glossy colorful fronts and basic gray cardboard backs with player stats and career highlights. They survived fairly well compared to some brittle earlier Topps issues.

The complete standard 792 card release was joined by special subsets highlighting rookie cards, league leaders, and All-Star players. Key rookies included Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire, and Tom Glavine.

High numbers (cards numbered over 500) featured less prominent players, making them tougher pulls from packs. Notable high numbers included #729 Ozzie Virgil and #788 Bob Tewksbury.

Popular stars graced the front of many packs, including Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Rickey Henderson. Ongoing player promotions helped fuel excitement around the releases.

The checklist included all Major League teams from 1986 like the World Series champion New York Mets and playoff clubs Boston, California, Houston and New York Yankees.

Minor changes to the uniform designs and photos keep the cards a vibrant time capsule of how each franchise and player looked during the 1986 season.

Let’s take a deeper look at some key areas and players within the 1987 Topps baseball card database:

Rookies: As with every year, the rookie cards drew lots of attention. Arguably the most coveted were #593 Barry Larkin of the Reds and #592 Mark McGwire of the A’s. Both players would go on to Hall of Fame careers. Other notable first-year issue cards included #221 Tom Glavine (Braves), #358 Terry Pendleton (Braves), and #679 David Wells (Tigers). Scouts saw big potential in these players that was ultimately realized.

Stars: Established superstars of the day continued to drive interest, like #1 Roger Clemens of the Red Sox, #88 Wade Boggs also with Boston, and #150 Rickey Henderson of the A’s, arguably the most exciting player of the era. #79 Ozzie Smith (Cardinals) and #331 Darryl Strawberry (Mets) also featured greatly due to their electrifying styles of play. Fantastic photography helped immortalize these greats.

Team Sets: For team collectors, putting together the full lineup of a favorite franchise provided enjoyment. Examples included the world champion 1986 Mets with #1-31 cards, star-studded Detroit Tigers 1-30, and perennial contender Boston Red Sox 1-29. Building these sets was intrinsically satisfying for fans.

Inserts: Topps issued special materials like foilboards, black diamonds, and airbrushed ’77 minis inserted randomly in packs. The airbrushed ’87 Traded subsets highlighting midseason player movements added intrigue. die-cut Leaders cards for batting, pitching, and fielding champions also unlocked.

The immense popularity of the 1987 Topps baseball cards can be primarily attributed to it capturing the players and teams of a memorable MLB season at the highest quality level possible for a mass-produced trading card product of the era. The clean visual design combined with a complete checklist made it accessible for all kinds of collectors, whether focusing on individual players, full team builds, or harvesting coveted rookies of the future stars. Three decades later it remains one of the most iconic and complete historical record sets in the hobby.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PSA

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases from the genre’s golden era of the 1980s. Featuring 660 total cards with modern designs and photography of all major leaguers from that season, the ’87 Topps set remains a hugely popular target for collectors to this day. As with any vintage release that has withstood the tests of time, professional third-party grading from PSA has become invaluable for preserving condition and providing certification to 1987 Topps cards.

Released in March 1987 as Topps continued its run as the exclusive baseball card licensee, the design was a transition from the intricate border patterns of the past decade to cleaner foil stamped logos and borders incorporating just a team name across the top. Photographs showed players in action shots from the 1986 season with minimal embellishment. Rosters included all 30 MLB clubs along with managers, coaches and some minor leaguers. The set also had 32 cards devoted to team checklists, leaders, and records.

While production numbers for ’87 Topps were massive compared to modern issues, years of circulation and potential mishandling have taken a toll on most surviving examples. PSA grading provides assurance that a given card has avoided the most damaging forms of wear such as creases, corners rounding, edge nicks or stains. Their standard for Near Mint highlights extremely well-kept copies that may still exhibit a hint of whitening on the edges or a faint fingerprint—a much higher bar than a non-graded Loose near mint would suggest.

Key rookie cards that are greatly benefited by PSA certification include Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire, Gregg Maddux, and Cal Ripken Jr.’s update issue after winning the AL MVP award. Each have found stable markets for high-grade PSA 9 and 10 copies as staples in collections and for speculative holding. Other stars like Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith and Tony Gwynn command strong prices across all PSA levels as well due to their important placements in the set and careers.

Condition rarities that bring premiums include Gwynn’s standard issue PSA 10, McGwire PSA 9.5, or Larkin and Boggs Gems. While not impossible to find unworn originals, time and handling have made true pristine Near Mint to Mint copies exceedingly scarce for ‘87 Topps outside of its biggest icons. PSA encapsulation lends credibility as an independent assessment and archive-quality long-term storage method. Slabs provide a consistent look across eBay sales and are familiar to potential buyers, increasing liquidity.

The allure of high-numbers like #1 Nolan Ryan or #660 Ozzie Smith team checklist have kept interest robust for graded examples as display pieces. Even commons hold steady values across most PSA grades from 8.5-9 due to demand outstripping freshly surfaced population reports. Short prints like #648 Tommy Herr or #658 Mike Herr are also enhanced finding well-preserved copies as rarities within the set. Supplemental PSA services such as autograph verification are applicable to autographed editions as well.

While not the flashiest or most visually striking set from the decade, 1987 Topps has achieved classic status that benefits tremendously from rigorous authentication, attribute verification and secure long-term protection that PSA provides. Slabbed 8’s still sell smoothly given their relative scarcity compared to lower graded pieces. Condition Census rolls emphasize the difficulty of higher scores even for the biggest stars. As one of the most collected vintage issues ever, third party grading ensures 1987 Topps cards can be enjoyed safely for generations to come.

The steady appreciating values and collecting interest surrounding the 1987 Topps set means PSA certification is an invaluable asset for condition-sensitive examples. Modern sports collectors demand the reassurance and marketability it provides. High grades deliver multiples over raw near mint copies for iconic rookies, stars and inserts. PSA gives 1987 Topps the documented verification and protection levels that have made them a pillar of the vintage baseball card market for over 30 years running.

1987 TOPPS TRADED BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Topps Traded baseball card set was released mid-season by Topps as a unique way for collectors to get cards of players who had been traded to new teams after the regular Topps set was already finalized and printed. Like today, trades were a major part of each MLB season and presented challenges for card manufacturers who wanted to show players in their new uniforms. The Traded set provided a solution for fans craving updated rosters.

The 1987 edition contained 198 cards and showcased many big names who were dealt leading up to and during that season. Some of the premier traded players featured included slugger Andre Dawson (traded from the Cubs to the Red Sox), pitcher Bob Welch (traded from the Dodgers to the A’s), and slugger Tony Armas (traded from the Rangers to the Red Sox). Beyond stars, the set provided collectors a fun way to track roster moves across the league.

In terms of design, the 1987 Topps Traded cards closely matched the core Topps flagship release from earlier that year. They had the same white bordered, team logo stamped look with player photography on the front and stats on the back. A simple “Traded” stamp was added below the player’s name to designate the special subset the cards belonged to. The similar style helped the Traded cards feel cohesive alongside the main Topps product when building sets.

Distribution of the 1987 Topps Traded was primarily through packs sold at hobby shops and card shows. With fewer than 200 total cards compared to over 700 in the main set, finding a complete Traded collection posed more of a challenge versus a full Topps run. Still, dedicated collectors eagerly snapped up packs, hoping to pull the biggest traded names to showcase in their binders. Insert cards like checklists and manager/coach cards helped flesh out the smaller set.

Condition and rarity have made several key cards from the 1987 Topps Traded much sought after by investors and vintage collectors in recent decades. Andre Dawson’s iconic Red Sox debut card leads the way in terms of value, routinely fetching hundreds of dollars in top-graded Mint condition. Bob Welch, continuing his success with the A’s, and Tony Armas, looking to revive his career with the Red Sox, also rank among the financially coveted Traded rookie cards from that year.

Beyond singles, completed unopened wax boxes of 1987 Topps Traded have been known to bring thousands at auction when preservation is top-notch. Low population Print Run Champions, which denote the scarcest cards inserted, add intrigue as possibilities within sealed original product. Still available today for collectors to search for are coveted 1/1 Printing Plates with the player image etched onto lithographic plates used to create the cards. These ultra-rare artifacts can demand astronomical prices.

The 1987 Topps Traded set succeeded like its predecessors by giving fans a fun way to stay current with mid-season transactions. As an important niche release bridging regular issues and helping complete want lists, it has endured strong nostalgia from the vintage collecting community. Few are lucky enough to afford true Gem Mint 10 condition examples of stars like Dawson within, making preserved specimens all the more valuable to vintage baseball connoisseurs. The 1987 Topps Traded endures as one of the premier traded player releases in cardboard history due to its star power, condition challenges and historic documentation of an MLB season in progress.

While price trends and condition standards have evolved tremendously since 1987, the nostalgia and spirit of completion for collectors of that first Traded generation remains stronger than ever. Set builders now appreciate the innovation Topps showed by reacting to trades outside the normal release cycle. And investors recognize its contribution to the prolonged popularity of vintage wax era cardboard by enabling more comprehensive team and player collections. In the end, the 1987 Topps Traded baseball card set has cemented its own special legacy among hobbyists as a beloved niche release with relevant retro appeal still going strong over 30 years later.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TOP VALUE

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While it may not contain the household names of sets from the 1950s, several rookie cards and star players make certain 1987 Topps cards very valuable in the modern market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1987 Topps baseball cards that collectors seek out today.

One of the true heavyweight cards from the 1987 set is the rookie card of Hall of Famer Barry Bonds. Bonds’ rookie card is considered one of the finest in the modern era and is the true cream of the crop card from the 1987 Topps set. In near-mint to mint condition, Barry Bonds’ rookie routinely fetches prices well into the four figures. Recently, PSA-graded mint examples of this card have even crossed the $10,000 threshold. While raw copies in excellent condition can be found for under $1,000, there is no question Bonds’ rookie is the blue-chip card from ’87 Topps and holds immense value for collectors.

Staying on the theme of future Hall of Famers, another hugely valuable card from the set is Greg Maddux’s rookie. Maddux went on to win four Cy Young Awards and cement his status as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. High-grade copies of his ’87 Topps rookie are extremely tough to find, and for good reason – those who own this gem have no intention of letting it go. Mint PSA 10’s have sold for over $4,000, with raw near-mint copies still fetching multiple thousands as well. Like Barry Bonds, the Greg Maddux rookie is a truly historic piece of cardboard that defined an era.

In addition to star rookies, the 1987 Topps set also contained valuable veteran sluggers. For example, the Kirby Puckett card is a strong candidate for one of the most iconic non-rookie cards from the entire 1980s release period. Puckett was a career .318 hitter and six-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins franchise. His 1987 Topps issue shows him with his trademark glasses and batting stance, making it instantly recognizable even for casual baseball fans. High-grade Puckett’s in PSA 10 condition have sold for well over $1,000, though most examples trade hands in the $500-$800 range. He remains one of the most popular and affable stars from the late 1980s, keeping demand high for this classic card.

While rookies and superstars garner the big numbers, savvy collectors know that other factors like oddball variations can dramatically boost the value of otherwise ordinary cards. A perfect example is the 1987 Topps Tiffany Pedro Guerrero issue. Topps produced an ultra-high end Tiffany set parallel alongside the standard release, featuring glossy coated stock and refined design colors. The Guerrero is widely considered the most valuable card from this short-print Tiffany subset. In pristine PSA 10 condition, it has cracked the $6,000 price point at auction. Slightly lower graded versions still fetch impressive four-figure sums. For variation collectors, it represents the true holy grail from 1987 Topps Tiffany.

Rounding out our rundown of the five most notable 1987 Topps cards has to be the 1st Bowman card of Tom Glavine. Considered by many to be the premiere rookie card issue for the eventual Hall of Famer, Glavine’s starpower and production have kept this card relevant for decades. In PSA 10 condition, it has now joined the truly elite company of cards valued north of $5,000. Even well-centered raw copies can sell for $1,000-$2,000 depending on centering and corners. The affordability of similar-graded cards like Maddux and Bonds makes Glavine’s 1st Bowman an attractive major league addition for any collection on a budget.

While not as valuable overall as the epic 1952 Topps set or iconic rookie cards of the 1950s, the 1987 Topps release contains many significant modern pieces of cardboard history. Headlined by the true blue-chip hits like Bonds, Maddux, Puckett and more, savvy collectors recognize this set as a well that still yields incredibly valuable vintage gems over 30 years later. Factors like starpower, iconic designs,Hall of Fame careers and oddball parallels have maintained strong secondary demand. For anyone curating the best 1980s offerings, 1987 Topps will always have a prime seat at the table.

1987 FLEER GLOSSY BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Fleer baseball card set was unique in the hobby for being Fleer’s first glossy card issue since 1980. After transitioning to a plain paper stock for several years in the early 1980s, collectors were excited to see Fleer return to the flashy look of their premium 1970s sets with the 1987 release. The set had several iconic rookie cards and visual aesthetic improvements that made it a fan favorite among collectors both then and now.

Fleer debuted colorful new designs on glossy cardboard stock for their 1987 offering. Each card had a white border surrounding a team color panel on the left side with the player’s photo. All numbers and text were printed in black ink with team logos above the images. An etched Fleer logo appeared in the bottom right corner alongside the copyright. With 384 total cards issued, it was the same size as Topps’ flagship set that year. However, Fleer’s glossy sheen and vivid hues gave the images a much livelier pop that collectors praised.

Several notable rookies appeared in the 1987 Fleer set. Perhaps the most iconic was Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card, which showed the Mariners phenom smiling in his distinctive batting stance. Already heralded as a can’t-miss superstar, Griffey’s Fleer RC became one of the most valuable modern rookie cards after he went on to a Hall of Fame career. Other impact rookies included Bobby Witt, Mark McGwire, and Ben McDonald. Brian Harper also had an RC in the set as he broke in with the Twins that season.

In addition to rookie stars, the 1987 Fleer set highlighted several established all-time great players. Roger Clemens’ dominant season was represented with his Red Sox uniform. Wade Boggs appeared smiling for the Red Sox as well. Ozzie Smith dazzled in the Cardinals uniform that helped him earn the nickname “The Wizard.” Rickey Henderson’s speed and flair came through on his A’s card. These dominant players from the 1980s added tremendous collecting appeal and nostalgia for the era to the 1987 Fleer release.

Beyond the talented players featured, the visual design improvements of the 1987 Fleer set made it stand out. Gone were the plain stock paper cards of recent years prior. Returning to glossy cardboard gave Fleer’s colorful designs a sharpness and brilliance unseen since their earlier 1970s releases. The bright team colors and sharp player photos practically popped off the cards. Combined with hobby figures like rookie Griffey and all-time greats Clemens and Boggs, these presentation enhancements kept the 1987 Fleer issue a coveted collector item for fans.

When released in 1987, a sealed wax box of 36 packs with 11 cards per pack retailed for around $15. Today unopened 1987 Fleer boxes in pristine conditioned can sell for over $500 due to rarity and demand. Likewise, premier rookie cards like Ken Griffey Jr. have reached prices upwards of $10,000 PSA Gem Mint 10 condition. Even common players from the set often sell for $5-10 each in graded mint condition. Its desirable mix of rookie stars, Hall of Famers, and innovative glossy design cemented 1987 Fleer as one of the most iconic and valuable mainstream sports card releases ever produced.

For collectors then and now, the 1987 Fleer baseball card set represented a return to form after duller early 1980s issues. Fleer brought back the flashy aesthetics collectors loved from their classic 1970s offerings. Featuring rookie stars like Ken Griffey Jr. along with crime greats like Roger Clemens, it showcased the era’s top talent in brilliant high-gloss photos. While not quite as large as Topps’ behemoth set each year, Fleer’s creative designs and premium feel gave it enduring appeal. Over 30 years later, the 1987 Fleer baseball cards remain a pinnacle of the modern hobby both for nostalgia and strong lingering demand in the marketplace. Its fresh look launched a new era of glossy Fleer issues that still tantalize collectors worldwide.

BASEBALL CARDS VALUABLE 1987 1988 1989

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The late 1980s were a pivotal time in the history of baseball card collecting. After a period of rapid growth and speculation in the mid-1980s, the baseball card market crashed in the early 1990s. The 1987-1989 seasons produced some extremely valuable rookie cards that still hold significance today. Several all-time great players like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine debuted in this era and their rookie cards are highly sought after by collectors.

1987 Topps Baseball Cards

The 1987 Topps set is considered one of the most important issues of the 1980s. Some notable rookies included Benito Santiago, Alan Trammell, and Mark McGwire. The biggest star was Ken Griffey Jr, who was just 18 years old in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners. Griffey Jr.’s explosive talent and charismatic personality captured the attention of fans and his rookie card quickly became one of the most valuable cards ever printed. In mint condition, a 1987 Topps Griffey Jr. routinely fetches thousands of dollars today. Another star from this set is Barry Bonds, who was already establishing himself as an elite player in just his second season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bonds’ rookie card isn’t as valuable as Griffey’s due to lower supply, but still trades for hundreds in top condition.

1988 Topps Baseball Cards

The 1988 Topps set saw the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, who both had impressive debut seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Glavine won Rookie of the Year honors and his card is one of the most sought after from the late 1980s. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, a 1988 Topps Glavine can sell for over $1,000. Maddux didn’t put up huge numbers as a rookie but was clearly a special talent – his rookie card has also gained value over time. Another notable rookie was Randy Johnson, who was just beginning his dominant career with the Montreal Expos. The 1988 Topps set remains an extremely popular one for collectors due to the star power of these rookie cards.

1989 Topps Baseball Cards

While not as epic as the 1987 and 1988 issues, the 1989 Topps set still produced several valuable rookie cards. Barry Bonds had fully broken out as an MVP caliber player by this point and his rising fame made his cards very desirable. His 1989 Topps is a key piece for any Bonds collection. Other stars who debuted in 1989 included Jeff Bagwell, who won Rookie of the Year playing for the Houston Astros. Bagwell went on to have a stellar career and his rookie card is a solid investment even graded in lower condition. The 1989 Donruss set also featured the rookie card of pitcher Pedro Martinez, who was just a raw talent at that point but developed into a first-ballot Hall of Famer. These late 80s rookie cards have proven to be great long term investments.

The Baseball Card Market Crash

Unfortunately for investors who stockpiled cards hoping for future profits, the overproduction of products in the late 80s and early 90s caused a severe decline in values known as the baseball card crash. As supply far outpaced demand, even high-end cards from the 1987-1989 era saw prices plummet. It wasn’t until the late 90s/early 2000s that the market began rebounding. Today, the best rookies from that talented 1987-1989 player crop have fully rebounded and surpassed their pre-crash highs. In particular, the Griffey Jr., Bagwell, and Bonds rookies are three of the most valuable modern cards despite the market downturn. For savvy collectors who bought low after the crash, those late 80s rookies have proven to be hugely profitable long term holdings.

While the 1987-1989 baseball card market faced major turbulence, the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Tom Glavine, and Jeff Bagwell have stood the test of time. Their early career cards are among the most iconic and valuable modern issues due to what those players went on to accomplish. For patient collectors, buying undervalued late 80s rookies after the crash provided an opportunity to profit enormously years later as the market rebounded and recognized the historic talent captured in those classic card designs. The 1987-1989 era was truly the golden age of valuable rookie cards.

1987 TOPPS TRADED BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE

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The 1987 Topps Traded baseball card set is one of the more popular and valuable vintage card releases from the late 1980s. Compared to the traditional Topps flagship series issued earlier that year, the Traded set was smaller in size with only 200 cards but focused on high-profile players who were traded or had new teams during the 1986-87 offseason. Several factors contribute to the scarcity and demand for the top cards from this set nearly 35 years later.

One of the most influential trades before the 1987 season saw three-time NL MVP Mike Schmidt get dealt from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he spent his entire Hall of Fame career prior, to the Philadelphia Phillies. Topps captured this significant transaction by issuing Schmidt’s first card as a Phillie in the Traded set, making card #86 one of the key rookie cards for collectors. In near-mint to mint condition, Schmidt’s Traded Phillies rookie frequently sells for $500-1000 due to his excellence as a player and the rarity of his debut with a new franchise after 16 years in Philly.

Another mammoth trade that winter sent four-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Seaver from the Boston Red Sox back to the New York Mets, where he became a star in the 1960s and 70s. Seaver’s return to his original team after brief Red Sox tenure created buzz, and his #73 Traded card reflecting this has only grown steeply in value over time. Graded gems of Seaver’s Mets Traded rookie can reach $3000-5000 at auction since he remains one of the most respected pitchers in baseball history.

A blockbuster seven-player swap that winter saw the Chicago White Sox acquire slugger Greg Luzinski from the Phillies. “The Bull” established himself as a tough out during his nine years in Philly, highlighted by back-to-back World Series titles in 1980-81. His #39 Traded card as a member of the Pale Hose is a highly coveted piece for Sox and Luzinski PC collectors, with pristine copies readily selling for $500-1000.

Arguably the most significant acquisition of the 1986-87 offseason took place on December 10th when the Los Angeles Dodgers pried four-time All-Star and National League stolen base leader Rickey Henderson away from the Oakland Athletics. The speedster wasted no time making an impact for his new club, leading the Senior Circuit with 90 steals in his debut season in Dodger blue. Henderson’s Traded card #1, showing him in this new Dodgers uniform, stands out as the most desired in the set due to his elite abilities and the lore surrounding his trade to LA. Graded mint examples have hammered for $5000-8000 at auction.

While Traded cards for the aforementioned stars fetch the highest totals, several other items from the set command four-figure values as well. Future Hall of Famer Tim Raines, fresh off a NL batting title, is featured on card #34 as a member of the Montreal Expos. Known as “Rock,” he was one of baseball’s top leadoff hitters and base stealers throughout the 1980s. Mint Raines Traded rookie cards have crossed for $2000. Another standout rookie was #185 card of slugging outfielder Tony Gwynn, who launched his incredible .300+ batting average career with the San Diego Padres after winning the 1987 NL batting crown. Near-mint to mint Gwynn Traded rookies can reach $1500-2500.

The 1987 Traded set had a relatively small print run compared to Topps’ flagship issues at the time due to it focusing only on offseason trades. This scarcity, paired with star power and key rookie cards, has elevated many items in the set to iconic status among vintage collectors. While pristine mint examples of the true stars like Henderson, Schmidt, Seaver, and Raines top the register, there are affordable gems like Luzinski, Gwynn, and others to be found as well – making this one of the most beloved subsets from the late 1980s. Over three decades later, the allure and demand keeps growing for cards highlighting memorable trades and debuts from the 1987 Topps Traded baseball release.

FLEER BASEBALL CARDS 1987 LIMITED EDITION

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The 1987 Fleer Baseball Card set is renowned among collectors for its short print run and inclusion of several hugely valuable and sought-after cards. Unlike Topps and Donruss who issued regular series sets that year, Fleer took a different approach by releasing a much smaller and more limited series with several special variations.

The 1987 Fleer set consists of just 360 total cards with no parallel or insert sets. The checklist was headlined by superstar players like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens. It’s the iconic rookie cards and parallel variations that make certain 1987 Fleer cards hugely valuable today. The limited nature of the print run means finding high grade examples of key cards in the set is extremely difficult.

Chief among the coveted 1987 Fleer rookie cards is Ken Griffey Jr.. Often cited as one of the holy grail rookie cards, Griffey’s iconic upper deck swing pose made him an instant fan favorite as a teenager. The hype around his potential led to huge demand for his rookie card. However, Fleer only printed about 100,000 Griffey rookies as part of the set’s short print run. In high grade, a PSA 10 Griffey Jr. 1987 Fleer RC has sold for over $100,000, showing its status as one of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards ever issued.

Another hugely valuable and sought-after card is the Greg Maddux rookie. Like Griffey, Maddux would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is a widely collected piece. It’s believed there were only around 50,000-75,000 Maddux rookies printed, making high grade examples incredibly tough to find. Comedically, the photo on Maddux’s rookie card shows him with a terribly mismatched cap/uniform combo in an otherwise ordinary action shot. This quirk has endeared it to collectors over the years.

Aside from the rookies, there are some huge stars featured throughout the set in their main careeruniformed photographs and stats, including Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry, Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett and more. For high-end collectors, acquiring a complete 1987 Fleer set with all the big names and rookies in high grade is an enormous challenge due to the scarcities.

What truly separates the 1987 Fleer issue though are the parallel short print variations that were secretly inserted without announced ratios. Chief among these is the ‘hand-collated’ parallel which features thicker cardstock and a purple Fleer logo. Less than a dozen are believed to exist, with the Griffey ‘hand-collated’ being the holy grail at an estimated valuation of $500,000+. Other ultra-rare short prints include the ‘black back’ parallel featuring a black Fleer logo on the reverse.

While still scarce, the ‘Green Shadow’ parallel is slightly more obtainable for collectors. Featuring a green-tinted photo and plate number, they were printed on standard cardstock but with radically lower distribution. Getting a key name like Griffey, Boggs or Clemens in the rare ‘Green Shadow’ parallel is a true achievement. Even mid-range stars hold great valuation in the Green parallel due to the limited availability.

To top it off, uncut sheets of the 1987 Fleer base set featuring four cards still attached sell for over $10,000 when in pristine condition. Opening and cutting the sheets destroys their rarity and value. Only the most elite collectors could feasibly afford and justify owning examples across all the different variants, parallels and uncut sheets that comprised this ultra-limited 1990s baseball card release.

In the ensuing decades since 1987, the scarcity combined with starring careers of young talents like Griffey and Maddux have made the 1987 Fleer set achieve legendary status. Along with the flagship brands of Topps and Donruss, it established the modern era of licensed sports card manufacturing and created superstar cards that have followed players throughout their careers. The allure of uncovering one of the uber-rare ‘hand-collated’ or ‘black back’ parallel issues from a wax pack still captures the imagination of collectors today. For blended rarity, star power and financial upside, the 1987 Fleer Baseball Card set stands out as one of the most coveted issues in the entire hobby.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE 1987

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the 1980s. With 792 total cards released as packs, factory sets, cellos, and wax boxes, the ’87 Topps set saw some of the biggest stars and rookies of that era featured on cardboard for the first time. While most commons from the set hold little value today, there are plenty of high-price cards that fetch four and even five-figure sums. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key cards and players that drive the popularity and prices of 1987 Topps baseball cards over 30 years later.

One of the most coveted rookie cards from the entire 1980s is that of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar. Distributed as card #592 in the ’87 Topps set, Alomar’s rookie is highly sought after by collectors. In top graded gem mint condition, an Alomar rookie PSA 10 can sell for over $2,000. Even lower graded near mint examples still pull in hundreds on the secondary market. Alomar went on to have a stellar 24-year career and is regarded as one of the finest second basemen in baseball history, immortalized in Cooperstown. This makes his rookie card a key piece for any investment-minded collector.

Another hugely valuable rookie from the 1987 set belongs to Chicago Cubs pitcher Gregg Maddux. Maddux’s legendary pitching career saw him rack up 355 wins, 6 career Cy Young awards, and induction into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2014. As one of the best hurlers to ever toe the rubber, demand is sky-high for Maddux’s Topps rookie, found as card #474. Higher graded Maddux rookies at PSA 9 and PSA 10 routinely sell for over $1000 each. Even well-centered and preserved PSA 8 copies can go for $500 or more. For rookie card collectors, owning a piece of Maddux history from his earliest cardboard is a must.

While stars like Alomar and Maddux lead the way, there are other ’87 Topps rookies that hold notable value as well. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dave Stieb has gained popularity in recent years, with his cardboard debut at #465 attainable yet still selling for $100-400 based on condition. Future Cy Young winner Tom Glavine also debuted that year as an Atlanta Brave, with his cheaper yet still highly regarded rookie at #573. The retirement of pitching icons Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton in the late 80s has also increased interest in their ’87 Topps cards at #’s 677 and 743 respectively. Both still deliver 4 figures for mint graded copies.

Moving beyond rookies, the true heavyweights of the 1987 set are centered around core Hall of Famers at the peak of their careers. A true condition census PSA 10 of slugger and “Hit King” Pete Rose’s action shot on card #1 is worth a considerable $4000-5000. Behind Rose at #2, San Diego Padres star Tony Gwynn autographs his card, pulling in similar PSA 10 values. Hank Aaron’s regal portrait on card #82 remains one of the most iconic in the hallowed brand’s history. EvenWell-centered PSA 8 copies sell for $1000. Perhaps most valuable overall though is the card of New York Mets legendary pitcher Dwight Gooden, #158.

Gooden was coming off a historic season in 1986 where he won the NL Cy Young and set single-season records for strikeouts. A near mint PSA 9 of “Dr. K” in his Mets uni can fetch a cool $3000 to the right collector. The only card that might outpace Gooden for 1987 Topps is that of Boston Red Sox phenom and future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens on card #284. Considered the finest pitcher of the late 80s and 90s, a pristine PSA 10 Clemens in his first year with Boston can bring a staggering $5000-8000 at auction. No other ’87 Topps issue comes close to reaching those lofty heights.

While the 1987 Topps baseball card set had over 700 cards released, there are certainly standouts that drive the high values that collectors are willing to pay. Rookies of future stars like Alomar and Maddux reign supreme, but core Hall of Famer cards like Rose, Gwynn, Aaron, Gooden and Clemens represent the true crown jewels of the set. For investors and vintage collectors alike, locating and securing these key ’87 issues in the finest available grades can make for an sound long-term portfolio considering the enduring popularity and admiration for the players and careers commemorated over 30 years ago on cardboard.