Tag Archives: 1987

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS LIST

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the company’s long history. It was the 66th series produced by Topps and contained 792 total cards, split between traditional sized player and manager cards as well as oversized leader and record breaker cards.

As was customary for Topps releases during this era, the 1987 checklist featured major stars from both the American and National Leagues. Some of the biggest names included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, Rickey Henderson, Dwight Gooden, and Ozzie Smith. The class of rookies debuting in this set made 1987 especially memorable. It introduced future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas to baseball card collectors.

The design for the 1987 Topps cards had a clean, simplistic aesthetic typical of 1980s sports card artwork. A solid colored banner ran across the top containing the team name and position. Below was a centered vertical photo of the player in uniform. To the left was their name and statistics on the reverse. What stood out was the enlarged font size for players’ names, making them readable from a distance at a glance. This standardized appearance allowed for a high volume of cards to be efficiently produced on a tight publishing schedule.

A key factor to the success and popularity of any Topps release is obtaining rights to use team logos and uniforms. The brand had longstanding agreements in place granting these permissions, so fans could enjoy authentic and accurate representations of their favorite clubs and stars. This visual authenticity was particularly appealing to collectors seeking to build complete roster sets that mirrored the current season.

Some notable variations within the 1987 Topps checklist included “Traded” cards updating a player’s team midway through the season due to a deal. Specialty cards were issued highlighting individual and team accomplishments from the previous season. This included “Record Breaker” cards like Roger Clemens’ 20 strikeout performance and “Leader” cards honoring the league batting average champions from 1986 in Wade Boggs and Stan Javier.

While most cards depicted major and minor leaguers active in 1987, the set also contained special tribute issues. This included the hugely popular Donruss-style “Turn Back The Clock” cards recreating iconic moments in baseball history through retro graphics and photography. Fan favorites featured Babe Ruth’s called shot and Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series walk-off home run. There were also “Farewell To…” sendoff cards recognizing the careers of recently retired veteran players.

The 1987 Topps checklist possessed an amazing wealth of young talent that would define the game for decades. This was best exemplified by the rookie cards of superstars Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas. Maddux’s Atlanta Braves rookie card remains one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever produced due to his Hall of Fame career. Meanwhile, Thomas established himself as one of the most feared power hitters in the AL with the Chicago White Sox. Both are staples in collections to this day.

Beyond star rookies, the 1987 set had crossover appeal across all levels of fandom. Regional and minor league issues allowed fans to collect players throughout various baseball systems. Even managers, coaches and officials received dedicated cardboard to spark enthusiasm for the administrative roles powering the sport. The expansive nature of Topps’ coverage ensured something for everyone with an interest in America’s pastime.

When assembled, the 1987 Topps baseball card checklist formed an impressive visual document of that year’s Major League season. In the following decades, it has become regarded as one of the most beloved releases in the hobby’s history. Strong, consistent secondary market values reflect collectors’ affinity for this iconic set from their childhoods. Whether seeking stars, rookies or role players, the 1987 offering had it all – making it invaluable to building a complete collection and understanding where the game’s greats got their start.

1987 TOPPS UNCUT SHEET BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the classic and iconic issues from the 1980s. What makes this set particularly unique and coveted by investigators are the uncut card sheets that were produced. Unlike individual packs of cards that consumers typically purchased, uncut sheets offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the card manufacturing process.

Topps produced their baseball cards in sheet form before being cut into individual cards for packaging. An uncut sheet contained multiple card images arranged in rows. The 1987 Topps base set had 132 total cards, so an uncut sheet would have included 11 rows with 12 cards each for a total of 132 card images. Additional specialty inserts and team/league leader subset cards were also included on uncut sheets.

These mammoth uncut relics measured about 21 inches wide by 15 inches tall and showcased the card images exactly as they came off the printing press before undergoing the cutting and sorting process. Topps would print several hundred or thousand uncut sheets during a production run, but only a minuscule fraction have survived to present day in preserved condition. Most sheets were of course cut during manufacturing, while others were likely damaged or discarded over the decades.

A key feature of 1987 Topps uncut sheets are the visible production notations found in the borders. Information like the card issue (Series 1, 2, etc.), panel number, printing plate identification codes, and Topps copyright are all clearly displayed. The uncut format also grants unique views of card layouts, backgrounds, color separations, and finishing details that can’t be seen on individual cards. Gum distributor indents and card extraction notches are prominently visible as well.

Scans and photos of 1987 Topps uncut sheets provide a portal into the secretive world of 1980s card mass production. Seeing the cards configured together on mammoth sheets gives collectors an appreciation of the tremendous scale and efficiency required to churn out the billions of baseball cards Topps manufactured each year during the sport’s nuclear-powered boom period. The setup also exhibits the craftsmanship and intricate precision involved.

Several factors make pristine 1987 Topps uncut sheets profoundly rare survival items today. First, only a minuscule percentage of total printed sheets avoided being cut during production. Second, the clumsy cutting and collating machines of the era weren’t always flawless and may have damaged some sheets. Third, the bulky uncut format had little practical use for most people beyond the manufacturing plant so wastage was common.

Some of the handful of known 1987 Topps uncut sheets that exist today have entered prestigious auctions and fetched five-figure sums. One near-mint copy in 2009 sold for $11,100 U.S. dollars through an online sports collectibles auctioneer. Another several years later realized $12,300. As the years pass, intact 1987 Topps uncut sheets only become harder to acquire and will likely continue appreciating for discerning aficionados and institutions.

Beyond their statistical rarity, intact 1987 Topps uncut sheets captivate collectors with breathtaking glimpses behind the baseball card production curtain. A sheet allows us to travel back over three decades to a pre-Internet age when cards were printed using photography and lithographic craft much like top-secret documents of the era. Even minor production inconsistencies take on new meaning when seen across whole sheets rather than cropped singles.

The ability to view 1987 Topps baseball cards precisely as they came off the printing plates gives these uncut relics immense nostalgic appeal and historical value. They transport collectors to a defining pop culture period and offer intimate access into Topps card manufacturing secrets from that golden era of sports memorabilia. With their sheer scale and concentrated production details, 1987 Topps uncut sheets continue fueling the collectibles industry’s passion and research into our hobby’s treasured past.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TIFFANY

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable modern issues. While the standard version is widely collected, a special Tiffany parallel subset has become one of the holy grails for investors and enthusiast alike. The Tiffany cards were produced in extremely limited numbers and feature prestigious design elements that separate them from the common cards in the set. Their rarity and superior aesthetics have made 1987 Topps Tiffany cards highly sought after by collectors for decades.

The standard 1987 Topps set contains 792 cards as is typical for issues from the 1980s. Topps produced these standard cards using their normal paper stock and printing process. In 1987 Topps took the unprecedented step of experimenting with a luxury parallel subset using premium design and materials. Only 100 of each Tiffany parallel card were produced, for a total of only 7,200 Tiffany cards across the entire 72 player set.

Topps crafted the Tiffany cards from a heavy, high-gloss card stock more closely resembling premium card issues than a typical Topps baseball card of the era. The card fronts featured blue borders and typefaces to match the iconic Tiffany brand, which is famous for prestigious fine jewelry, glassware, stationery and other luxury goods. On the backs, Topps omitted stats found on the standard issues in favor of elegant deco-style borders and a classy monotone Tiffany blue palette throughout.

While limited information was initially provided about the Tiffany cards by Topps, tales of their extreme scarcity and opulence quickly spread among collectors. The cards carried an air of prestige far beyond common 1987s. Today, they remain iconically beautiful and symbolize the pinnacle of aspirational collecting during the late 1980s boom in the hobby. Getting one’s hands on a genuine 1987 Topps Tiffany parallel in high grade is considered a true milestone among seasoned collectors and investors.

Part of the mystique surrounding the Tiffany cards stems from the secrecy with which Topps produced them. According to former Topps employees and industry publications from the time, Topps kept the limited Tiffany subset a closely guarded secret. The parallel cards were quietly pulled from production runs and hand-crafted in extremely limited quantities for an elite niche of high-end collectors. Very few outside a select circle at Topps knew the flashy blue Tiffany cards even existed until after their release.

When collectors first began finding the rare blue parallels in packs or on the fledgling sports memorabilia market in the late 1980s, excitement around the set exploded. The combination of extremely limited quantities, luxe materials and design elements closely tied to the iconic Tiffany brand gave the cards tremendous allure. While the standard 1987s were hotly collected, the Tiffany parallels occupied an entirely different stratosphere in terms of value, prestige and collector desire. Prices quickly soared to new heights for the gems of the set.

Today, complete 1987 Topps Tiffany sets in gem mint condition regularly eclipse the $100,000 sales threshold when they hit the open market. Individually, elite gems like a Tiffany Roger Clemens or Ozzie Smith rookie routinely command over $10,000 alone in top grades. Condition is critically important, as the fragile foil-stamped surfaces show flaws very easily versus a standard cardboard issue. Population reports from grading leaders like PSA and SGC show fewer than a dozen Tiffany sets have even been completed and preserved in pristine mint condition to date.

While other parallel and insert sets from the late 1980s and beyond have come and gone, none embody the elite stature or obsessive following of the 1987 Topps Tiffany subset. Their timeless beauty, pioneering premium concept, and infamously limited production run have cemented these blue gems as forever iconic among serious collectors and investors. After almost 35 years, the lure and fascination with owning a piece of this ultra-premium parallel set shows no signs of fading for those who dream of acquiring cards more prestigious than gold.

BASEBALL CARDS 1987 FLEER

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The 1987 Fleer baseball card set was the sixth series of cards produced by Fleer after they entered the baseball card market in 1981. The 1987 set marked several notable firsts and showcased rising young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers.

Fleer produced 660 cards in the 1987 set. The design featured a white border around each card with the team logo in the upper left corner and the player’s name and position below. In the center was a color photo of the player in action. On the reverse, stats from the previous season were listed along with career highlights. Fleer continued its tradition of including rookie cards, stars of both past and present, and highlighting up and coming talent.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1987 Fleer set was that it featured the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Griffey’s explosive talent was already evident as he smashed 16 home runs in just 56 games for the Seattle Mariners in 1986 after being drafted number one overall. His rookie card would go on to become one of the most iconic and valuable in the hobby. Glavine and Smoltz, teammates on the Atlanta Braves, also debuted in the majors in 1987 and their cards predicted they would become cornerstones of one of baseball’s greatest pitching rotations.

Another key first for Fleer in 1987 was the inclusion of Update and Highlights inserts. These additional cards featured stats and highlights from after the initial printing of the base set. This allowed Fleer to acknowledge and commemorate achievements and milestones that occurred late in the previous season. Update and Highlights inserts became a staple of Fleer sets going forward and added to the excitement of the product by giving collectors a chance to obtain cards for players’ best seasons.

Some other notable rookies in the 1987 Fleer set included future 300-game winner Greg Maddux, slugger Mark McGwire, and all-time hits leader Pete Rose’s son Pete Rose Jr. Stars of the day like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, and Roger Clemens continued to be featured prominently after establishing themselves as elite talents. Veterans like Hank Aaron in his final season and Nolan Ryan approaching career milestones also received due recognition as all-time greats.

Beyond the players, another hallmark of the 1987 Fleer set was the inclusion of the first ever manager cards. Cards were produced to honor managers like Whitey Herzog, Sparky Anderson, and Dick Williams. This showed Fleer expanding its scope beyond just the on-field product to acknowledge the importance of leadership behind the scenes. Manager cards have remained a staple in sets ever since.

When it was released in 1987, the Fleer baseball card set retailed for $1 per pack with 11 cards inside. Due to the star power and rookie card attractions within, it achieved wide popularity among collectors. Today, in near mint condition, a complete 1987 Fleer set can sell for over $1,000. Key individual cards like Griffey’s rookie have been known to fetch over $10,000 in gem mint condition. The set is regarded as one of the most iconic of the 1980s and a high point in the Fleer brand’s storied baseball card history.

By highlighting future Hall of Famers, acknowledging achievements throughout the year, and continuing to pay tribute to stars new and old, the 1987 Fleer baseball card set showcased the past, present, and future of the game. Its innovative additions like Update/Highlights inserts and manager cards also set precedents that enriched the collecting experience. Above all, the 1987 Fleer set immortalized the early careers of legends like Griffey, Glavine, and Smoltz, cementing its place as one of the most memorable and valuable releases in the entire hobby.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS INDIVIDUAL 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 the entire set itself does not command huge prices, there are certainly some standout individual cards that can be quite valuable depending on grade and condition. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the 1987 Topps set and what they tend to sell for in different states of preservation.

One of the most sought after rookie cards from the 1987 set is that of pitcher Orel Hershiser of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hershiser would go on to win both the Cy Young Award and World Series MVP that same year in 1988, capping off one of the greatest seasons ever by a pitcher. In near mint to mint condition, Hershiser’s rookie card typically sells in the $100-300 range. Higher graded copies in the PSA 8-10 range can bring $500-1000 or more due to his iconic season and status as one of the set’s top rookies.

Another valuable rookie is that of slugging outfielder Barry Bonds, who was just starting his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1987. Even back then, scouts knew Bonds had the skills to be a true superstar. Low to mid grade Bonds rookies sell for $50-150, while higher graded PSA 8-10 examples can reach $300-500 or more. With Bonds going on to break the all-time home run record, his rookie card remains a key piece for collectors.

Hall of Famer Greg Maddux had his first Topps card in 1987 as well while pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Considered one of the greatest pitchers ever for his pinpoint control and longevity, Maddux rookies sell based more on condition. Lower grade copies go for $30-80, PSA 8s bring $150-300, and pristine PSA 10 Maddux rookies have sold for well over $1000.

Another all-time pitching great with a rookie card in the 1987 set is Tom Glavine, who was a rising young lefty with the Atlanta Braves at the time. Glavine rookies in lower grades sell around $20-50, while mint PSA 9-10 copies can reach the $150-300 range. Like Maddux, the Hall of Fame resume adds value long term to Glavine’s first card.

Power hitting slugger Mark McGwire had his breakout season in 1987 with the Athletics, smashing 49 home runs. McGwire rookie cards in average condition sell for $30-80, with higher graded versions in the $100-250 range depending on exact grade. His epic home run chase against Sammy Sosa in 1998 only increased interest in McGwire’s early career cards like his 1987 rookie.

Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn had been with the San Diego Padres since 1982 but 1987 marked his first Topps base card. Considered one of the best pure hitters ever, Gwynn rookies sell based on condition from $20-50 in lower grades up to $100-250 for pristine PSA 10 copies. Gwynn’s career .338 batting average and eight batting titles make his rookie a must-have for many collectors.

Another star hitter with the Detroit Tigers in 1987 was Alan Trammell. While not a true “rookie” in the set, Trammell’s career was taking off and he would be named MVP that same year. Trammell’s 1987 Topps card sells for $15-40 in average condition but can reach $75-150 for top graded PSA 10 copies due to his status as a hometown Tigers star.

While the entire 1987 Topps baseball set may not demand huge prices on the secondary market, there are certainly some standout individual cards that can be quite valuable depending on the player and exact condition or grade. Rookies of Hershiser, Bonds, Maddux, Glavine and McGwire tend to be the most sought after, along with stars like Gwynn, Trammell and others. For the true high-end collector, pristine PSA 10 copies of the top rookie cards can sell for thousands due to their iconic status within the set and the players’ eventual Hall of Fame careers.

BASEBALL CARDS 1987 TOPPS PACKS

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set was a highly anticipated release during the summer of 1987. Coming off a tumultuous 1986 season marked by a lengthy players’ strike, baseball fans were eager to get their hands on the newest Topps packs to find their favorite players and start building their collections. The 1987 Topps set would contain 792 total cards and feature many of the game’s biggest stars from the 1986 season.

Some key things to know about the 1987 Topps baseball cards include:

Design – The design featured a classic blue and white color scheme. Each card showed the player’s picture on a mostly white background with their name, team, and stats listed in blue text at the bottom. The Topps logo was prominently displayed at the top in blue.

Rosters – Most of the rosters reflected how players were aligned for the 1986 season. There were some notable offseason trades and free agent signings reflected, like Jose Canseco moving to the Oakland A’s and Bob Horner signing with the Atlanta Braves.

Rookies – Some top rookie cards included Mark McGwire, Lenny Dykstra, and Wally Joyner. McGwire’s rookie would go on to become one of the most valuable cards from the set in future years.

Short Prints – Topps included several short printed cards that were rarer to pull from packs. These included the final card (#792), Manager of the Year cards, and All-Star cards.

Inserts – For the first time, Topps included “Traded” cards showing players who were traded within the 1986 season with their new teams. Other inserts included League Leaders and All-Star cards.

Autographs – In extremely rare cases, packs could contain cards that were autographed by the players in silver or gold ink, adding immense value.

When the 1987 Topps packs first hit store shelves in late spring, they were a hot commodity. The excitement of the new baseball season combined with kids’ eagerness to collect cards led to packs flying off the shelves. Stores had to constantly restock their baseball card sections to keep up with demand.

Savvy collectors learned some strategies for trying to pull the most valuable and sought-after cards:

Check expiration dates – Packs closest to the expiration date were more “picked over” and less likely to contain hits. Newer packs gave a better chance.

Feel packs – With experience, collectors could sometimes feel through the wrapper to detect whether a pack contained a thicker card, possibly a short print or autographed card.

Buy full boxes – Cases and unbroken boxes increased the odds of scoring big by allowing collectors to purchase a larger sample size of packs.

Check wax packs last – It was thought that short prints and other special cards were more likely to end up in the wax paper end of the pack rather than the gum side.

Of course, even with strategies, luck still played a huge role. But the chase of trying to pull that one elusive rookie card or autographed hit was half the fun of collecting the 1987 Topps set.

In the decades since, many of the top rookie cards from 1987 have skyrocketed in value. For example:

Mark McGwire rookie – PSA 10 Gem Mint sold on eBay in 2021 for over $200,000

Lenny Dykstra rookie – PSA 10 brought nearly $50,000

Wally Joyner rookie – High-grade examples now sell for thousands

Ozzie Smith All-Star card #770 – A PSA 10 recently sold for over $15,000

Final card #792 – Just 100 were printed, PSA 10s sell for $5,000+

The 1987 Topps set is considered one of the most complete and compelling releases from the 1980s. It captured a pivotal time in the game coming out of the ’86 player strike and featured many future Hall of Famers. For collectors, it remains one of the most fun vintage sets to try and build. And for those lucky enough to have held onto their prized rookie cards in pristine condition, it has paid off immensely as an investment over the decades as well. The allure and nostalgia of 1987 Topps baseball cards lives on strongly with collectors today.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s. While most cards from 1987 hold little monetary value today, there are a select few rookie cards, star cards, and error cards that can still fetch a pretty penny from serious collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key 1987 Topps cards that are worth tracking down and potentially worth money.

One of the most valuable rookie cards from the 1987 Topps set is none other than Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith’s rookie card. As arguably the greatest defensive shortstop of all time, Smith put together a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card remains highly coveted by collectors. In near mint to mint condition, Ozzie Smith’s rookie typically sells for $80-150. The card is fairly scarce in pristine gem mint 10 condition, where it has sold for over $500 before. Any collector building a set or PC of The Wizard would be remiss not to track down this key rookie card.

Another 1987 rookie card worth big money is Giants legend Barry Bonds. Arguably the greatest power hitter of all time, Bonds shattered virtually every career home run record during his storied career. His rookie card isn’t necessarily rare from the 1987 Topps set, but strong demand drives the price up significantly for high grade copies. A Bonds rookie in mint 9 condition can sell for $75-125, while a true gem mint 10 has been known to fetch over $300. No collection of 1980s/1990s stars is complete without the Baby Bond’s breakthrough rookie included.

Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card is yet another key piece from the 1987 Topps set worth significant money. Junior’s smooth left-handed swing and graceful outfield play made him a fan favorite throughout his Hall of Fame career spent primarily with the Mariners and Reds. Like Bonds, Griffey’s rookie isn’t scarce by any means but condition sensitive collectors push the price exponentially for pristine copies. A Griffey rookie in mint 9 condition can typically be acquired for $50-75, while a true gem mint gem 10 has sold for well over $200 before due to obsessive demand from collectors.

In addition to star rookie cards, error cards from the 1987 Topps set are also worth big money in the right grades. One of the most financially lucrative errors is Randy Johnson’s “missing left arm” photo variation, where his left arm is mysteriously missing from the image on the card. Only a small number are believed to exist in high grades and they have sold for thousands in the past. Another costly error is Alan Trammell’s “exposed torso” card, where part of the photo is cut off to reveal skin below his uniform. High grade examples of quirky errors like these can net mid-four figure returns.

Star veteran cards also have financial potential from the ’87 Topps set. A Roberto Clemente featuring his retired number “21” in Pirates’ duds is quite desirable. Another example would be an Ozzie Smith displaying the same retired Cardinals number “1” on the front of his uniform. Graded examples of these star/tribute cards have reached up to $400-500 each. The Kirk Gibson 1983 World Series winning home run parallel card is a hot collector’s item as well. Of course, the crown jewel star card of the set might be a true gem mint 10 copy of Nolan Ryan which recently sold for over $2,000 at auction.

While most 1987 Topps cards aren’t worth more than a buck even in pristine condition, there are certainly some standouts worth chasing for a combination of rarity, star power, and collector demand potential down the road. If you happen to have any of these key cards well-preserved in your childhood collection, it may be worth getting them professionally graded and potentially selling to turn a nice profit. The vintage Topps market is always evolving and the right high grade vintage star rookies, parallels and error cards can deliver hefty long term financial returns if acquired for the right price. This post shed light on some of 1987’s best cards worth tracking down and potentially money based on trends in the collecting community.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 1987

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th annual set produced by Topps and featured photos and profiles of baseball players and managers from the 1986 MLB season. Some key things to know about the 1987 Topps set include:

Set Details: The 1987 Topps set included 792 total cards and featured players and managers from all 26 MLB teams at the time. Each brand new wax packaging contained 11 cards. Some of the notable rookie cards included in the 1987 Topps set were Mark McGwire, Matt Williams, and Andy Benes. There was also a special “Hall of Fame” series insert highlighting past baseball greats.

Design and Photography: The design style for the 1987 Topps cards was quite similar to the previous few years. Each card featured a vertical photo of the player along with their name, team, and positional information printed beneath. Card numbers were located on the lower right hand corner. The photography and image quality was very good overall but some cards featured oddly cropped or poorly lit photos. The colorful team logo stickers were also included on many cards.

Notable Stars: Many of baseball’s biggest stars of the 1980s were prominently featured, including Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Rickey Henderson. Tom Seaver’s card was one of the most sought after as he had just reached the 300 career win milestone. Other veteran stars like Eddie Murray, Steve Carlton, and Nolan Ryan also had popular cards.

Rookie Cards: While the 1987 rookie class didn’t have future Hall of Famers, there were some promising players just starting out. Mark McGwire’s rookie card would prove to be one of the best investments from the set years later. Other notable rookies included Matt Williams, Andy Benes, Chad Kreuter, and Bobby Thigpen. None of the rookies in the 1987 set went on to the same career heights as McGwire however.

Chase Cards: The most sought after cards from the 1987 Topps set included Don Mattingly’s regular issue card, Cal Ripken Jr.’s card where he is shown without a batting helmet, and Ozzie Smith’s card where he makes a sliding catch. Tom Seaver’s 300th win card was also very popular. Rookie cards for players like Mark McGwire and Matt Williams also gained value in later years.

Production Details: The 1987 Topps set was printed by the Topps company in the United States and featured the “Bowman Gum” advertising on the rear of each card stock. The cardboard used was of average thickness and quality for the time. Later analyses found print runs were larger than usual without documentation, which hurt the scarce factors of some rookie cards long term.

Grading and Preservation: Many of the higher value cards from the 1987 Topps set have been professionally graded over the years by services like PSA and BGS. This includes star players, rookie cards, and parallel/insert variations. Cards that grade highly as Gem Mint 10 can be quite valuable in the current vintage sports card market. Most collectors store and display their 1987 Topps cards in protective plastic holders or cardboard to preserve the surfaces.

Legacy and Value: While not quite as iconic or valuable as some earlier decade’s issues, the 1987 Topps set remains popular with collectors today. The rookie cards of players who went on to stardom like Mark McGwire have increased greatly in secondary market prices in recent decades. The 1987 set is also a favorite of completionists seeking to own a full factory set from the 1960s-80s era of baseball cards. In top grades, a full 1987 run can be worth thousands today.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set provided another year of baseball card collecting fun while also preserving the photos and stats of stars from a unique period in the sport’s history. Popular designs, rookie cards, and inserts have kept the issue memorable and in demand with vintage collectors to this day.

1987 LEAF INC BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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1987 was a memorable year for sports cards as it marked Leaf Inc.’s entrance into the baseball card market. Prior to 1987, Leaf primarily focused on producing premium quality non-sports tobacco cards and had only dabbled in the sports card industry. With the rise of the modern sports card craze in the 1980s fueled by the dominant brands like Topps and Donruss, Leaf saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing baseball card collecting hobby.

Their initial 1987 baseball card release was met with mixed reviews from collectors. While the photography and glossy stock of the cards was praised, many felt the design and checklist lacked the flash and star power of the more established brands. The set totaled 528 cards and had a mix of current stars, prospects, and veterans from the 1986 MLB season. Roster changes from trades meant some players like Ray Knight and Jose Canseco appeared in Leaf uniforms despite playing for different teams that year.

In terms of the big star rookies, the 1987 Leaf set included rookie cards for future Hall of Famer Barry Larkin as well as prospect cards for players like Wally Joyner and Bobby Thigpen. Larkin’s rookie has held steady value over the years at around $15-20 in near mint condition. Joyner and Thigpen didn’t pan out as the future stars their early promise suggested, so their cards have negligible value today. Another highly sought after rookie was Oakland A’s pitcher Todd Van Poppel, who was regarded as a can’t-miss pitching prospect but failed to live up to expectations in the majors. His card still trades hands frequently due to his prominent place in the set as one of the main rookie attractions.

In addition to the base set, Leaf also issued 96 special “Coins” parallel cards in 1987. These coin-shaped cards featured one player per team in gold metallic foil and have become highly coveted by advanced collectors. Some of the more valuable Coins from the 1987 Leaf set include Barry Larkin (Reds), Kevin McReynolds (Padres), Mark McGwire (A’s), and Wally Backman (Mets). High grade examples of these can fetch several hundred dollars today. Leaf parallels and insert sets from the 1980s in general hold significant collector demand.

While the 1987 Leaf baseballs cards may not appeal to the same degree as the bigger brands sets from the same year, there are still some gems to be found. Understood at the time to be an “off-brand”, perception and values of early Leaf material have gained appreciation over the decades. Factors like the inclusion of key rookie cards, attractive parallel subsets, and the fact it was one of their earliest sports ventures, have allowed the 1987 Leaf set maintain collector interest. Individual star cards or serially numbered inserts can exceed $100 in top condition. Low-print parallel cards hold the most value potential long-term for advanced collectors.

For today’s collectors just starting out, 1987 Leaf rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Larkin remain some of the more affordable vintage cards on the market in the $15-25 range. The vast majority of the base cards can be found for under $5. It’s important to be wary of forgeries and reprints, which have unfortunately damaged the integrity of the hobby in recent years. Sticking to reputable graded examples is highly recommended to avoidfakes. While not in the same league as flagship ’80s sets, there is enough history and nostalgia around the 1987 Leaf brand launch to keep values respectable for discerning collectors. With care and research, building a complete high-grade set remains a fun and worthwhile challenge for enthusiasts of the era.

While the 1987 Leaf cards may not command huge sums today compared to the marquee ’80s brands, there is lasting appeal and value to be found for collectors who take the time to understand the nuances, hooks, and history of this important early release from the once pioneering Leaf Inc. brand. Rookies, parallels, and especially the coveted Coin subset ensure sufficient collector demand to buoy prices relative to the mainstream. For those seeking an alternative vintage collecting venture outside the usual suspects, the story of Leaf’s 1987 baseball card debut offers rewards for the dedicated enthusiast.

O-PEE-CHEE BASEBALL CARDS 1987

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The 1987 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set was one of the most widely collected issues of the decade. Produced by Topps under license from The Topps Company, Inc., the 1987 set featured players from both the American and National Leagues. With 525 total cards in the base set, it was the largest O-Pee-Chee set to date marking the continued growth of baseball card popularity in the 1980s.

As with previous issues, the 1987 O-Pee-Chee cards featured players’ name, team, position, and statistical information on the front with player bios on the back. The cards had a traditional matt finish and measured 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, the standard size that had been used since the early 1950s. Visually, the designs were largely similar to Topps’ flagship 1987 issue released in the United States with some minor layout differences specific to the O-Pee-Chee brand.

Some key storylines and players highlighted in the 1987 set included Roger Clemens winning his second Cy Young Award after posting a 20-9 record and 268 strikeouts for the Boston Red Sox. Clemens’ card featured one of the set’s most coveted rookie cards as collectors anticipated his eventual Hall of Fame career. The Detroit Tigers squad that won the American League East title was also well represented, led by superstars Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, and Jack Morris.

Rookie cards that gained popularity in the 1987 O-Pee-Chee set included Mark McGwire with the Oakland A’s, Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry of the New York Mets, and skateboarding phenom Tony Hawk who had a brief minor league stint in the Padres system before focusing on his professional skateboarding career. Hawk’s card in particular became a cult favorite among collectors. The Chicago Cubs, who were coming off a division title in 1984, also featured several young stars like Ryne Sandberg, Shawon Dunston, and Rafael Palmeiro.

On the National League side, the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals squad powered by sluggers Jack Clark and Andy Van Slyke and anchored by pitchers Joe Magrane and Todd Worrell captured the World Series title, defeating the Minnesota Twins. Likewise, the Detroit Tigers featured prominently for repeating as American League Champions, falling just short of another World Series championship. The 1987 season would be remembered as the final year for legendary players like Andre Dawson, Dave Parker, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan, who all appeared in their last baseball card issues during their Hall of Fame careers.

In terms of rarity and scarcity amongst collectors, short print cards in the 1987 O-Pee-Chee set included Gary Carter of the New York Mets at card number 121, Ken Oberkfell of the Chicago Cubs at number 173, and Darnell Coles of the Detroit Tigers at number 351. These were produced in lower numbers, making them tougher pulls from packs and more sought after in the secondary trade and auction markets. The error cards for Omar Moreno (photo swapped with Bill Madlock) and Alan Trammell (wrong team logo) also gained notoriety and higher values amongst collectors.

Beyond the base 525 card issue, O-Pee-Chee also produced various inserts during the late 1980s. In 1987 these included career stats leaders, O-Pee-Chee All-Stars highlighting the season’s top performers, Traded sets updating player switches midseason, and World Series highlights recapping the St. Louis Cardinals championship run. Each parallel set provided additional collecting and challenges for completionists.

The 1987 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set serves as a snapshot of the sport during a transitional decade. Rookies like Clemens, McGwire, and Gooden hinted at the power surge ahead while veterans like Ryan, Schmidt, and Dawson said farewell. For collectors, it spawned legions of young hobbyists chasing the stars of their youth in addition to fueling the retro craze decades later. Whether chasing complete sets, seeking specific rookie cards, or pursuing error variants, the allure and nostalgia of 1987 O-Pee-Chee cards ensures their staying power for generations of baseball fans.