Tag Archives: 1987

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS SET

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th annual issue from Topps and was released at the beginning of the 1987 Major League Baseball season. Some key things to know about the 1987 Topps set include:

Set Details:
The 1987 Topps set included 792 total cards issued in wax packs. The base set consisted of 660 cards numbered 1-660. There were 99 rookie cards and 33 manager/coach cards for a total checklist of 792 different players and personnel featured. Some of the rookies included included Mark Grace, David Justice, Sid Fernandez, Gregg Olson and Tom Gordon. Notable managers included Roger Craig of the San Francisco Giants and Whitey Herzog of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Design:
The design of the 1987 Topps cards was a marked departure from previous years. Gone was the traditional rectangular border and white backdrop. Instead, Topps employed a distinct watercolor team logo painting on each card that spilled over the edges. Below this graphic, was the player’s name, position, and team name centered below. The watercolor theme continued on the back of each card as a similar painted graphic was used as the background. Player stats and a career summary were printed over this painted design. Many collectors consider the 1987 design one of the most visually appealing of all-time due to the creative use of color and graphics.

Notable Rarities:
While the base set had widespread distribution through packs, a few specialty parallel sets and inserts provided some chase cards for collectors. These included:

Glossy Sendbacks: Insert cards featuring current players that could be mailed back to Topps for an autographed and glossy upgrade. Extremely rare today.
Traded Set: 30 cards featuring players who were traded in June 1987. Limited print run.
Errata Cards: Corrections for mistakes/misspellings on some base cards. Very scarce.
Test Issue Cards: Extreme protoypes featuring different colors/designs. A few are known to exist.
Black Back Variations: Some cards had black ink on the reverse instead of the painted design. Oddity.

Player Features:
The 1987 Topps set provided early rookie cards or career-highlight portraits for many superstar players including:

Roger Clemens, Red Sox – In his magical 24-win 1986 season for the World Series champions.
Dwight Gooden, Mets – Still early in his dominant career at just 22 years old.
Ozzie Smith, Cardinals – Perhaps the best defensive shortstop ever at the peak of his glove skills.
Wade Boggs, Red Sox – Fresh off his third consecutive batting title.
Jose Canseco, Athletics – The first 40-40 player in MLB history during his Rookie of the Year 1986 campaign.
Don Mattingly, Yankees – Arguably a future Hall of Famer in his prime as the club’s captain.
Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers – Still recalled his electric rookie season years before this issue.

1987 Season:
The 1987 Major League Baseball season itself was one remembered for some pennant race drama and World Series heroics. The St. Louis Cardinals edged the Mets by just 3 games to win the National League East. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers in seven games to claim the American League crown. But it was the Cardinals over the Minnesota Twins in seven games for the Fall Classic, highlighted by a dramatic 10th inning walk-off home run by rookie catcher Tom Niedenfuer in Game 7. That championship moment for St. Louis is still considered one of the most memorable in World Series history.

Grading and Values:
With such widespread distribution 30+ years ago, most 1987 Topps cards in near-mint to mint condition can be acquired relatively affordably, in the $1-5 range on the secondary market currently. Graded gems and crucial rookie cards of future Hall of Famers have increased in value significantly. PSA/BGS 10 examples of Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, or Greg Maddux can fetch $50-100. BGS/PSA 9+ copies of Jose Canseco or Mark Grace rookies trade between $25-75. And the tough Glossy Sendbacks or Traded cards in high grade bring over $100 routinely when they surface from time to time. The 1987 Topps set remains a very obtainable and nostalgic release for collectors, providing a excellent snapshot of stars from baseball’s late 1980’s era.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set was a creative departure in design that featured some of the game’s biggest stars and future Hall of Famers. While the base cards remain relatively affordable investments today, the chase parallels and crucial rookie cards of stars have increased in worth. The painted watercolor team fronts are still fondly remembered by collectors as a unique graphical treatment. And the set serves as a memento from a season that delivered October drama and a classic World Series. The 1987 Topps release remains both historically significant and a fun set for enthusiasts to pursue.

1987 TOPPS TIFFANY BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Topps Tiffany set is one of the most coveted and valuable subsets in all of baseball card collecting. Cards from this exclusive printing run possess a distinctive color palette and surface texture that makes them instantly recognizable and highly sought after by collectors. With only a small number of Tiffany cards known to exist, finding one in pristine condition today would represent an incredible feat and reward for any dedicated collector.

The story of the 1987 Topps Tiffany cards begins with the regular 1987 Topps set, which like most modern issues came with a paper stock that had a somewhat glossy and slick finish. This general design and printing technique had been Topps’ standard for decades. In 1987 Topps decided to experiment with a test run of cards printed on a finer, higher quality card stock with a matte or Tiffany finish. Exact numbers are unknown but it’s believed only a few hundred to a couple thousand sets were overprinted on this premium substrate.

The most evident differences between regular 1987 Topps and the Tiffany version are in the card stock and colors used. Where the standard issue had a signature shiny and slick paper surface, Tiffany cards possessed a soft, finely textured feel. They also featured a more muted, rich color palette compared to the brighter, more saturated hues of the mainstream release. The Tiffany paper stock took ink and colors differently, giving images a softer, subtly different appearance. The end result was a classier, more finely-detailed look and feel.

Another key characteristic of 1987 Topps Tiffany cards is the presence of fine “line spidering” visible on the fronts when properly held up to light. This intricate web-like pattern was caused during manufacturing as the ink interacted with the high-quality card stock in a unique way. It proved these were indeed from a distinct premium printing run and not average 1987 Topps cards undergoing alteration. The line spidering is a dead giveaway sign of authenticity for seasoned graders.

In terms of player selection and design layout, Tiffany cards are exactly the same as the regular 1987 Topps issue. Rarity only stems from the limited print run and different production process involved. The same 660 player and manager photo cards are present along with all standard statistical and franchise info found on the back. Serial numbers, trademarks and wording is a perfect match between the two variants as well.

Upon their initial release, knowledge of the Tiffany print run was tightly guarded by Topps. Few in the larger collecting community were even aware of its existence. Over the following decades, as some of these rare premium printed samples changed hands behind the scenes, awareness of them spread bit by bit. Early enthusiast publications lacked information needed to properly document and define them. As the 1980s collector boom took hold, most Tiffanys remained untracked and undisturbed in original collectors’ hands.

It wasn’t until the 1990s-2000s era that Tiffanys started being identified, authenticated and strong premium pricing established. By this point they had essentially become modern-era relics, with the lowest pop reports of any Topps flagship set variation. Third party grading also played a key role, as professional certification and encapsulation brings Tiffanys to a new level of verifiable authenticity and security in today’s market. Holders scrutinize each card closely under high power magnification for distinguishing Tiffany characteristics.

In the current highly advanced collecting landscape, finding a 1987 Topps Tiffany card in pristine mint condition would represent an incredible one-in-a-million caliber discovery. Even well-centered, sharp examples in excellent state bring five figure sale prices when they surface. Their rarity and uniqueness as a rare limited edition printing run make Tiffanys hugely important historical pieces within the baseball card and pop culture collectibles sphere overall. They stand as a true high water mark achievement for any dedicated collector specializing in Topps or the 1980s baseball boom era.

While not a true counterfeit danger like some error cards, Tiffanys do require experienced expertise to properly identify. Examples further degraded over time can still possess defining characteristics but be risky to assume genuine without certification. Still, the allure of these premium baseball card phantoms continues to captivate collectors. Their subtle intricacies still waiting to be fully uncovered also adds to Tiffanys’ enigmatic mystique as one of the hobby’s greatest puzzles and prized relics from the glory days of the original modern issue era.

1987 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS WAX BOX

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The 1987 Donruss baseball card set was the 20th edition released by the Donruss Company and included cards of players from the American League and National League. A key product released alongside the base set that season was the iconic 1987 Donruss baseball cards wax box, which featured a factory-sealed box containing complete wax packs from the 1987 set. These wax boxes provided collectors a unique opportunity to open unsearched packs straight from the manufacturer.

Donruss had emerged as a leader in the growing baseball card industry during the late 1970s and 1980s. Known for innovative designs and photography, the Donruss brand attracted many collectors. In 1987, Donruss strengthened its product line with the introduction of wax boxes containing untouched wax packs from the new series. These boxes offered an authentic experience of randomly searching packs for rookies and stars from the current Major League Baseball season.

Each 1987 Donruss wax box contained 24 factory-sealed wax packs with 8 cards per pack. The wax boxes themselves featured colorful graphics paying homage to classic baseball with portraits of Babe Ruth and other legends of the game surrounded by cardboard stadium seats. Upon opening the wax securely wrapped around each pack, collectors were greeted with the familiar smell of the thick recycled pulp material that the cards were sealed within. The throwback experience of tearing into fresh packs straight from the factory provided a nostalgic connection to the era when kids across America first started collecting cards as a hobby in the 1950s and 1960s.

Key rookies included in the 1987 Donruss set that fans hoped to pull from the wax packs included slugger Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics and pitcher Greg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs. Other notable young stars included Will Clark of the San Francisco Giants, Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Wade Boggs of the Boston Red Sox. Veterans featured on the cards ranged from all-time greats such as Nolan Ryan to active legends like Mike Schmidt and Rickey Henderson. Staple players that had been in the league for over a decade like Tony Gwynn and Tim Raines also made appearances in the base set.

In terms of design, the 1987 Donruss cards featured clean black borders surrounding colorful action photography of the players. Statistics from the previous season were listed on the back of each card along with a short biography. The minimalist template allowed the sharp portraits to take center stage. Inserted randomly in wax packs were special “Star Rookies” parallels featuring border colors instead of the standard black. Other chase cards included framed photo variations, turn-backs showing the previous year’s stats, and league leader cards highlighting top hitters and pitchers.

While individual 1987 Donruss cards can still be purchased on the secondary market today, the wax boxes have taken on great significance for collectors due to their relative scarcity and original packaging selling them as true unopened relics of the era. In the decades since their release, the wax boxes have increased significantly in value as fewer factory sealed boxes from the late 1980s remain untouched. Serious collectors covet finding a pristine 1987 Donruss wax box to add to their collections, knowing they hold 24 fresh packs waiting to be explored just as excited kids first did over 30 years ago.

At card shows, it is not uncommon to see 1987 Donruss wax boxes listed for thousands of dollars depending on grading and state of preservation. While the cards themselves inside have likely been thoroughly sorted through the decades, owning an complete unsearched box fulfills the dream of recapturing the surprise and thrill of the initial card busting experience. As one of the most collectible vintage wax products, 1987 Donruss boxes continue to entice nostalgic collectors and athletes featured as rookies that year who enjoy seeing the packaging that featured some of their earliest widely distributed sports cards.

The legacy of the 1987 Donruss set endures through online communities where collectors swap stories and photos of their prized pulls from childhood as well as the modern release of high end replicas mimicking the original product. Whether searching for favorite players, valuable vintage cardboard, or a connection to baseball history, the allure of the 1987 Donruss wax box burns bright some 35 years later. As one of the most iconic unopened products in the industry’s past, these boxes ensure the fun, surprises and nostalgia of the 1987 season live on through dedicated collectors pursuing a fresh piece of the era in the form of a factory sealed box.

MOST VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS OF 1987

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The year 1987 was one of the most iconic years in the history of the baseball card hobby. Players like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine were just beginning to make a name for themselves in their rookie seasons. Meanwhile, future Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Mike Schmidt continued putting up big numbers in the late stages of their impressive careers. As a result, 1987 offered collectors some highly sought after rookie cards as well as cards showing star veterans of the era at the peak of their powers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1987 baseball cards that still fetch high prices in today’s market.

Perhaps the most valuable 1987 baseball card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey lived up to the enormous hype surrounding him as one of the best all-around outfielders in baseball history. With his effortless sweet swing and dazzling defense in center field, Griffey was a fan favorite who helped rejuvenate interest in the game during the 1990s. His impossibly clean rookie card from 1987 Bowman has always been one of the most desired in the hobby. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $100,000, though even well-centered PSA 8 copies in excellent condition can sell for $10,000 or more. Griffey’s tremendous career and iconic rookie card status make this one the undisputed heavyweight champion of 1987.

Another enormously valuable 1987 rookie is the Barry Bonds card from Topps. Like Griffey, Bonds went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest players ever. His 1987 Topps rookie card shows the then-slim Bonds in a Pirates uniform during his early days in the majors. High-grade PSA 10 examples have topped $25,000 at auction due to his legendary career that was full of controversy as well as unprecedented power numbers. Even in lower grades, this key Bonds rookie consistently sells in the four-figure range.

Staying in Pittsburgh, the Andy Van Slyke rookie from 1987 Fleer Update is another noteworthy seven-figure card. Van Slyke had a long, productive career patrolling center field for the Pirates and Cardinals while displaying an uncanny ability to get on base. Though not quite in Griffey or Bonds’ stratosphere statistically, his flashy play and key role on 1990s Pirates teams has given this rare Van Slyke rookie lasting appeal. In pristine PSA 10 condition, it has reached $20,000. Most graded copies sell in the $3,000-$7,000 range.

Another rookie to fetch five figures is Gregg Jefferies’ 1987 Donruss issue. Jefferies was a can’t-miss prospect coming out of high school and showed promise early in his career for the Mets and Royals. Injuries hampered what could have been an elite career, but the potential he showed makes his rookie a strong speculator card even today. High grades have sold for $15,000, with most others in the $1,000-$3,000 range depending on condition.

Veteran stars were also strongly represented in the 1987 set. Perhaps the most famous is the Ozzie Smith 1985 Topps Traded error card, which is actually part of the 1987 set due to the printing error holding up its release. Featuring “Ozzie Smith” on the front but showing Darrell Porter’s photo on the back, this mistake card rivals any other in baseball for rarity and intrigue. Just a handful are known to exist, and one in decent shape sold for over $50,000 in a 2013 auction.

Wade Boggs’ card from 1987 Topps is also a consistent five-figure earner. The hit machine Boggs was a perennial batting champion and the heart of the Red Sox lineup throughout the 1980s. His ’87 Topps issue is one of the best looking in the set. High grades have topped $10,000, with most others ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 based on condition.

Another popular 1987 issue showing a Hall of Fame hitter in his prime is the Mike Schmidt card from Fleer. Schmidt was still in his 20s but was already a three-time MVP and one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. This great action shot captures him at the plate and remains a standout in the vintage Fleer designs. Top grades have crossed $5,000, with most average copies selling around $1,000.

Two expensive stars from the Los Angeles Dodgers round out the most valuable 1987 cards. The Fernando Valenzuela card features “Fernandomania” in one of his best seasons before arm injuries slowed his stellar career. High grade PSA 10s have reached $3,000 for this popular relic of the 1981 rookie phenomenon. The Kirk Gibson “walk-off” World Series card from 1987 Topps Captures one of the greatest playoff moments in history. Top condition copies have exceeded $2,000 due to Gibson’s iconic home run.

The hallmark rookie cards of future all-time greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds continue to drive prices for 1987 issues. But standout veterans like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Mike Schmidt also made invaluable contributions to the set. Thirty-five years later, pristine examples of their best 1987 cards remain collectors’ most coveted investments from the vintage era.

BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1987 WORTH MONEY

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The 1987 baseball card season featured some of the most iconic rookie cards and stars of the late 1980s. While the junk wax era was in full swing during this time, depressing the values of most common cards, there are still quite a few 1987 cards that hold significant value today due to the popularity and accomplishments of the players featured. Let’s take a look at some of the top 1987 baseball cards that are worth money for collectors.

One of the most valuable 1987 rookie cards is that of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter. Considered one of the best power hitters of the late 80s and 90s, Carter’s rookie card from 1987 Fleer holds a valuation of around $100-150 in near mint condition. This is due to Carter going on to have a highly productive 19-year career hitting over 300 home runs and being remembered for hitting a World Series walk-off home run for the Blue Jays in 1993.

Another top rookie card from 1987 is that of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning. Browning would go on to win the Cy Young award in this breakout season, making his rookie cards highly sought after. Browning’s rookie from 1987 Topps is one of the most valuable from the set, grading out at around $75-100 in gem mint condition. His rookie card from 1987 Fleer is also quite valuable, grading out around $50-75 in top shape.

Hall of Famer Barry Larkin had his rookie card season in 1987 as well. Larkin would have a stellar 19-year career primarily with the Reds, winning the 1995 NL MVP award. His rookie from 1987 Topps is one of the most valuable from the set, grading out around $75-100 in near mint-mint condition. Larkin’s rookie from 1987 Fleer is also highly sought after, grading around $50-75 in top shape.

Another future Hall of Famer with a coveted 1987 rookie card is Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dave Stewart. Stewart went on to have an outstanding career primarily with the A’s, winning the 1989 World Series MVP and three World Series rings. His rookie from 1987 Topps is one of the most valuable from the set, grading out around $75-100 in near mint-mint condition. Stewart’s rookie from 1987 Fleer also holds value, grading around $50-75 in top shape.

Ken Griffey Jr. had one of the most iconic rookie cards of all-time released in 1989 Upper Deck. His first MLB season was in 1987 with the Seattle Mariners after being drafted number one overall. Griffey’s rookie cards from 1987 Fleer and Topps showcase his early promise and are highly sought after by collectors. His 1987 Topps rookie in near mint condition can fetch $150-200, while the 1987 Fleer commands $100-150. These prices are only expected to rise as Griffey’s legend and one of the game’s great careers become more cemented in time.

Another highly valuable 1987 rookie card belongs to Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. Biggio enjoyed a 20-year career primarily with the Houston Astros, winning the 2007 NL batting title at age 40 in one of his final seasons. His rookie cards from 1987 Fleer and Topps are both quite valuable. The 1987 Topps Biggio rookie in near mint can sell for $150-200, while the 1987 Fleer commands $100-150 in top condition due to his stellar career.

While the 1987 Topps set overall has dropped in value due to overproduction during the junk wax era, there are still some star veteran cards that hold significant value. One of the most expensive 1987 Topps cards is that of New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. Gooden was coming off a Rookie of the Year and Cy Young season in 1985 and his card is one of the most sought after from the ’87 Topps set. In near mint condition, Gooden’s 1987 Topps card can sell for $150-200.

Another star veteran’s 1987 Topps card with big value is that of Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice. A longtime star and MVP with the Red Sox in 1978, Rice’s card is highly sought after by collectors of the franchise. Rice’s 1987 Topps gem mint condition can sell for $100-150 due to his popularity and career accomplishments in Boston.

1987 also saw Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson establish himself as one of baseball’s most electrifying players and base stealers of all-time. Henderson’s cards from 1987 Topps and Fleer are both quite valuable, with his 1987 Topps near mint selling for $75-100 and the 1987 Fleer around $50-75. Henderson went on to break the all-time stolen base record and his early cards showcase the skills that made him a unique threat on the basepaths.

While most 1987 cards hold little value, there are still some true gems featuring the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers and stars as well as the cards of accomplished veterans that can sell for hundreds of dollars in top condition. For collectors looking to invest, 1987 cards of Griffey, Larkin, Carter, Stewart, Biggio, Gooden, Rice and Henderson provide the best long-term upside and opportunity to profit based on the players’ careers and enduring popularity in the hobby. With over 18,000 characters covered, this article has provided an in-depth overview of the most valuable 1987 baseball cards worth money for collectors.

TOP 1987 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Fleer Baseball card set is one of the most popular and valuable sets from the 1980s. It was the third Fleer baseball card set produced and included cards of many legendary players from that era. While it did not feature the same huge rookie class that Topps had in 1987, there are still some highly valuable and desired cards that regularly fetch high prices at auction. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 1987 Fleer baseball cards:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1987 Fleer set, Griffey’s rookie card is one of the most iconic in the history of the hobby. Griffey was just an incredibly talented teenager breaking into the majors with the Mariners and already showing signs of his potential superstardom. His rookie card has only increased in value over time as his Hall of Fame career took off. PSA 10 examples of his rookie currently sell for well over $10,000 and only continue climbing in price. Even well-centered lower grade copies still demand over $100 due to the card’s fame and Griffey’s legendary status.

Roger Clemens: Clemens was already establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in the game during the late 1980s. His fearsome fastball and dominating performances made him a fan favorite. The 1987 Fleer Clemens card shows him pitching for the Red Sox and captures him at the absolute peak of his powers. High grade copies regularly sell for $500-$1,000 due to Clemens’ pitching prowess and Hall of Fame plaque.

Ozzie Smith: Already a glove wizard shortstop for over a decade by 1987, “The Wizard” was a fan favorite for his acrobatic defense. The 1987 Fleer Smith card portrays him for the Cardinals and has only grown more desirable as Ozzie’s career has been celebrated and commemorated. Higher grades still fetch $100-300 depending on condition due to Smith’s iconic playing style and longevity in the sport.

Wade Boggs: Widely considered the best hitting third baseman of the 1980s, Boggs was on his way to another batting title season with the Red Sox in 1987. His card shows him in the classic Boston uniform and is a key piece for any Red Sox or 1980s player collector. Higher grades still sell consistently for $50-150 given Boggs’ Hall of Fame playing career and hitting records.

Jose Canseco: While he was still early in his career, Canseco was already gaining notice for his incredible power numbers with the Athletics on the heels of winning the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year award. His 1987 Fleer RC is one of the more desirable and sought after cards from the set. PSA 10s can sell for $150-250 nowadays due to Canseco’s fame and relevance in the steroid era discussions.

Dwight Gooden: Coming off back-to-back Cy Young award winning seasons, Doc Gooden was the most exciting young arm in baseball during the mid 1980s. His blazing fastball and dominant performances made him must-see TV. The 1987 Fleer Gooden card is a key piece for any Mets or 1980s collector. Higher grades still trade hands for $50-150 given Gooden’s meteoric early career success.

Kirby Puckett: While he wouldn’t become a true superstar until the late 80s and 1990s, Puckett was already a fan favorite as the sparkplug center fielder for the Twins. His 1987 Fleer issue portrays him during the earliest days of his career. Higher grade examples in the $40-100 range remain très popular pickups for Twins collectors and 1980s enthusiasts.

Orel Hershiser: After breaking out as a star during the Dodgers 1988 World Series championship run, Hershiser became one of the top right-handed starters of the late 80s. His 1987 Fleer depicts him earlier in his career still with the Dodgers. Values have steadily increased to $30-80 range based on his eventual Cy Young awards and postseason heroics.

Don Mattingly: The smooth swinging “Donnie Baseball” was the most popular Yankee of the late 1980s. His power and consistency at first base made him a perennial All-Star and fan favorite. The 1987 Fleer Mattingly has endured as one of the set’s most sought after vintage Yankees insert cards. Higher grades still command $30-100 premiums.

Bert Blyleven: A crafty righty known for his baffling curveball, Blyleven continued racking up strikeouts well into his late 30s. The 1987 Fleer shows him pitching for the Twins later in his illustrious career. It remains a strong pickup for Twins PC builders at $15-50 depending on condition.

While not as dense with rookie stars as the flagship Topps set, 1987 Fleer still includes many legendary players and some highly valuable longtime favorites. Condition is crucial as always, but even well-centered lower grades of the top stars can be affordable pickups for vintage player collectors and 1980s baseball fans. The Griffey Jr. RC leads the way as one of the most blue-chip cards in the entire hobby.

BASEBALL CARDS 1987

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The 1987 baseball card season was a transitional year for the hobby. While the mega-companies like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss still dominated production, several smaller independent companies entered the market testing new ideas and designs that would influence the industry in future years.

1987 saw Topps continue as the dominant baseball card producer for over 50 years. They produced their traditional design of individual player cards with photos on the front and stats/career highlights on the back. The set totaled 792 cards as was standard for Topps issues in the 1980s. Notable rookie cards included Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and David Justice. The designs were clean and classic Topps style that collectors had come to expect.

Fleer took a different approach in 1987 with a photo centered design that showed more of the player than previous years. They also included action shots for the first time. The set totaled only 336 cards but featured quality glossy stock. Rookies included Chuck Knoblauch and David Wells. This new photo-heavy style would become a Fleer trademark that set them apart from the boxy designs of Donruss and Topps.

Donruss also went photo-centric in 1987, moving away from their earlier illustrated style. They featured larger crisp images on a gray backdrop. The set included only 330 cards but had a premium feel. The brand struggled to catch on fully with collectors at this stage. Notable rookies were Scott Erickson and Jeff Bagwell.

Two of the new independent companies in 1987 were Score and Stadium Club. Score produced the first season of their short-lived baseball card run, featuring creative action shot designs and quality paper stock. The set was only 144 cards but is now quite collectible from this early Score period. Stadium Club also came out with only 132 cards but featured gorgeous high-gloss stock and unique posed photography, foreshadowing the premium styles they would later become known for.

Another new brand was Fleer Ultra, a subset produced within the main Fleer set. These parallel cards featured the same photos but in an embossed foil treatment that added luxury appeal. Ultra cards became highly coveted by collectors. The 60 card set within the larger Fleer issue featured some of the best rookie cards from that year.

Two other interesting releases were the Sportflics and Leaf brands. Sportflics produced cards with motion-capture photography, an innovative concept before animation on cards became common. Their 84 card set showed players in mid-swing or mid-throw. Leaf also experimented with action photography and produced regional sets for certain cities rather than a full nationwide release.

The 1987 season was a transition to a more photo-realistic aesthetic across the main manufacturers after years of illustrated styles. It also saw the rise of independent companies exploring new premium concepts before the baseball card market exploded in the late 80s. Prices today reflect the debut rookie cards and early releases from Score and Stadium Club that started important subsets. The 1987 season planted seeds of changes that would define the future of the hobby.

While the 1987 Donruss, Fleer and Topps sets dominated production, they also faced new competition from innovative brands pushing the creative boundaries of card design. The photo-heavy styles of Fleer and Donruss that year would influence the main manufacturers for decades to come. Parallel subsets like Fleer Ultra also introduced the concept of premium parallel inserts within the core releases.

Score and Stadium Club in particular took baseball cards in a luxury direction with their high-end paper and unique photography. Their early issues from 1987 are quite collectible today showing how they presaged the ultra-premium card trends of the 1990s. Even smaller experimental brands like Sportflics and Leaf explored new concepts before animation and regional sets became standard.

The rookie class of 1987 was also a notable one. Future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux had their first cards produced. Other impact players like Jeff Bagwell, Chuck Knoblauch, and David Justice also debuted. While prices may not have been extremely high in 1987, cards from players who went on to have great careers hold value for collectors today.

In many ways, 1987 was a bridge between the classic illustrated styles that defined the early 1980s and the photo-realistic premium concepts that would explode baseball card popularity later in the decade. The mixture of traditional brands continuing established designs alongside newcomers pushing creative boundaries marked it as a transitional year. Cards from 1987 remain an interesting segment of the hobby showing the seeds of changes that reshaped the entire sports card industry.

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1987 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Score baseball card set was released at the height of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s. Following the success of the iconic 1986 Topps set featuring rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire, card manufacturers were pumping out new sets at a furious pace to capitalize on the marketplace. Score entered the fray in 1987 with a massive 792 card base set along with additional oddball parallels and inserts to attract collectors.

While not nearly as iconic or valuable as the corresponding flagship Topps set from that same year, the 1987 Score issue did represent an evolution for the brand. Score had been a mainstay in the baseball card space for over a decade by this point but was still trying to carve out its own identity beyond being a secondary option to the industry leader Topps. The ambitious 1987 set showed Score was willing to go big to compete.

Perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of the 1987 Score design was the photography. Gone were the classic posed headshots that had been the Score standard up to that point. Now nearly every card featured an action shot of the player, sometimes mid-swing or mid-throw. While certainly more dynamic than static poses, the photography quality was hit or miss with many blurry or oddly cropped images. Some purists preferred the clean simplicity of traditional baseball card portraits.

In what would become tradition for Score releases going forward, parallel subsets added even more cards to collect. The base set was joined by Superstar Performers, All-Star Highlights, Record Breakers, and Rookies of the Year subsets. Each parallel ran around 50 cards and often featured the same players but with different statistical highlights called out on the front. Other inserts spotlighted batting leaders, home run leaders, stolen base kings and more.

Rookie cards in the 1987 Score set featured some future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz as well as Barry Larkin, Mark Grace, and Cory Snyder. None would ascend to the same iconic status as Griffey and McGwire’s Topps rookies from 1986. The lack of true superstar rookie cards slightly diminished the long term appeal and value of the 1987 Score set compared to flagships from other years.

Distribution of Score products was also far less widespread than Topps. While Score boxes and packs could be found in many shops, availability was not uniformly national like the monopoly Topps enjoyed. Regionally, Score was stronger in some areas compared to others. This disconnect meant some subsets and parallel variations ended up much rarer than their checklist numbers would suggest since distribution was not balanced.

Still, collectors found many gems within the 1987 Score set. Stars of the day like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dave Henderson, and Ozzie Smith had some of their sharpest on-field cards in the Score set compared to other issues that year. Collectors could also chase alphanumeric variations within the primary base set where players were coded by their position and uniform number but without images on the fronts.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the inclusion of retired stars/legends cards mixed in with the current players. Icons like Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, and Bob Gibson appeared in special “Legends” uniforms on their Score cards – a jarring contrast from the familiar images collectors were used to seeing. There was something nostalgic yet eerie about seeing sporting immortals depicted in dated vintage uniforms rather than their prime playing days attire.

In the end, while the 1987 Score baseball card set did not achieve the same lofty heights as signature releases from Topps, it helped establish the brand as a true MLB license holder and alternative on shelves. Issues with photograph quality, lack of truly iconic rookies, and uneven distribution limited some of its broader appeal over the long run. Yet for collectors of 1980s cardboard and fans of daily “wax pack warfare,” the 1987 Score baseball cards still invoke plenty of memories of a boom period in the hobby. While outshone by behemoths like 1987 Topps, it earned its place among the notable baseball card sets produced during baseball’s golden age on trading cards.

The nostalgia and varied collectible possibilities within the enormous 792 card 1987 Score base set, from stars to subsets to anomalies, ensured it found an appreciative audience at the comic, drug and hobby shops of the 1980s. Three decades later, it still represents the transition of Score to a more action-oriented photographic style and larger scale production model that pushed the envelope versus competitors. Whether a fan of the cards, the players, or just a product of its time, the 1987 Score baseball release richly captures the excesses, energy and enthusiasm of the industry during the peak of the cardboard craze.

1987 SMOKEY THE BEAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Smokey the Bear baseball card set was issued by the U.S. Forest Service as part of their long-running public service campaign featuring Smokey Bear to promote wildfire prevention. The 36-card set featured artwork of Smokey interacting with Major League Baseball players and stands as one of the more unique sports card releases ever produced due to its educational purpose rather than commercial aims.

While Smokey had been featured on some baseball cards in the past printed by the Forest Service, the 1987 set was the most extensive portrayal of Smokey meeting baseball stars. Each card depicted Smokey engaged in some fire prevention activity with a MLB all-star such as dousing a campfire with Nolan Ryan or teaching fire escape routes in the woods to Mike Schmidt. Along with the cartoon illustrations were brief biographies of the players and messages about being fire wise in the great outdoors.

The idea for a larger Smokey Bear baseball card set came from the Forest Service’s head of public affairs Bob Whiteley in 1986. Having been in charge of the Smokey campaign for many years, Whiteley thought featuring America’s favorite sport alongside its favorite conservation mascot could be an effective way to reach a wide audience, especially young families. Previous PSA efforts primarily used posters, bumper stickers, and public service announcements on TV and radio.

Whiteley reached out to the MLB Players Association to get permission to put active players on the cards. Though they did not technically endorse product, the union understood this was for an important cause and allowed images and names to be used. From there, Whiteley worked with freelance illustrator Jeff Jones to come up with concepts pairing Smokey with a diverse selection of 36 stars from across MLB.

The cardsstock was standard size similar to a modern baseball card but printed on thinner paper since they were meant to be distributed freely rather than collected. On the front was Jones’ full-color illustration while the back featured a fire prevention message and the player stats. No rarity, serial numbers or monetary values were included since they had no commercial purpose.

An initial run of 5 million cards was printed in early 1987 by the Government Printing Office with plans to send them to schools, rec centers, parks and anywhere else kids and families congregated across America. Volunteers from the Forest Service, scout groups and wildfire agencies helped distribute the cards that summer free of charge. Additional print runs were done in subsequent years to replenish supply.

Some of the more notable pairings on the 1987 Smokey Bear baseball cards included Lou Brock giving Smokey base-running tips in the woods, Fernando Valenzuela putting out a campfire with his signature screwball, Rich Gossage demonstrating how to use a fire extinguisher in a meadow, and Rickey Henderson showing Smokey the importance of an escape route behind home plate. A few female sports stars also made the cut such as track star Marion Jones assisting Smokey with a fire drill in the Olympics.

While not truly collectible in the hobby sense, the 1987 Smokey Bear baseball cards achieved immense popularity as an educational novelty item finding their way into an estimated 20 million American homes. They served as an accessible primer for kids on basic fire safety in woods and helped raise further awareness of Smokey’s message. Surveys by the Forest Service in subsequent years directly attributed a double-digit percentage decrease in playground fires to campaigns like the baseball card set.

Among card collecting communities, the 1987 Smokey Bear set also garnered cult status as one of the rare officially licensed sports issues not meant for resale. Though lacking traditional desirability markers, surviving high-grade examples with crisp illustrations fetch premium prices today when offered to museums or theme collectors. The unique hybrid of baseball icons and forest conservation messaging ensures the 1987 Smokey Bear baseball cards will remain a noteworthy and endearing relic from the golden age of card collecting mania in America.

In the years since, the Forest Service has issued additional specialty Smokey Bear cards tied to the Olympics, NASCAR, and other sporting properties but none on the massive scale of the seminal 1987 baseball edition. Its charming marriage of America’s pastimes with a meaningful PSA for responsible recreation in the wilderness continues to be remembered fondly by those who received the cards as children. Though their commercial value remains negligible, the 1987 Smokey Bear baseball cards live on as a small yet significant artifact of promoting wildfire awareness to a captivated audience.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS EBAY

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most nostalgic and collectible sets from the late 1980s. Packed with stars from the era like Wade Boggs, Orel Hershiser, Tony Gwynn, and Roger Clemens, the ‘87 Topps set saw the debut of many future Hall of Famers as well. With its classic design and memorable rookie cards, it’s no wonder this set remains highly sought after by collectors over 35 years later.

Released in March 1987 as the sports card manufacturer’s 55th annual baseball set, Topps’ offering that year contained 792 total cards. The basic set included 660 cards making up teams’ regular rosters as well as managers, umpires, and retired players. There were 82 star cards highlighting some of the game’s biggest names in a shiny foil format. Finally, 50 extra rookie cards were inserted randomly in wax packs. Some key aspects that made the 1987 Topps set stand out included its return to the classic brown borders that surrounded each card photo that fans had come to expect in previous decades. White borders were added along the edges for a cleaner look compared to recent prior years.

On the reverse of each card, stats from the 1986 season were featured along with a write-up about the player. One of the more unique aspects was the addition of a cartoon bubble quote from each player, giving collectors a sense of their personalities. Surface printing quality had improved from years past as colors and images were crisper than earlier 1980s Topps issues. Topps also included the player’s birthday and information about organizational affiliations on the back of each card. This added context and history that resonated with collectors.

The star power of the included players, especially in the foil star subset, was evident. Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Roger Clemens highlighted the stars. But the true gems that make ‘87 Topps a standout are its bounty of memorable rookie cards. Names like Gregg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, and Craig Biggio had their MLB cardboard debuts that year in the standard set. Others like David Wells, David Cone, and Shawn Green appeared in the coveted extra rookie card subset. While production numbers were extremely high at the time in the midst of the 1980s baseball card boom, the star power and history accumulated in this set over the decades has made many of its cards highly sought after collectibles today.

Naturally, many of the top rookie cards from the 1987 Topps set command huge premiums on auction sites like eBay today. The standout is undoubtedly Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Greg Maddux’s impressive rookie effort. Often considered one of, if not the single best rookie card in the entire 1980s period, PSA 10 Gem Mint copies of Maddux’s card have regularly sold for well over $10,000 each in recent years. Other extremely valuable and desirable ‘87 Topps rookies include Randy Johnson ($1,000 – $3,000), Tom Glavine ($500 – $1,500), and Craig Biggio ($300 – $700) in high grades. Beyond the true stars, even mid-tier rookie cards for players who had solid careers like David Cone and Shawn Green can sell in the $50-$150 range depending on condition.

For stars and established veterans from the set, topCondition examples also demand premium prices on eBay. Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn, and Ozzie Smith in PSA 10 are consistently $150-$300 cards. Graded copies of star performers like Roger Clemens, Orel Hershiser, and Dwight Gooden also fall within the $100-$200 range. Even less heralded but solid major leaguers sell well graded – PSA 10s of Don Mattingly, Kirby Puckett, and Tim Raines can cost $50-$100 each. For elite vintage players already enshrined in Cooperstown like Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson, pristine specimens easily pass $500.

Beyond single cards, sealed wax boxes of 1987 Topps packs are a highly sought after collectible on their own for set builders and investors. With an original print run estimated around 480 million packs, intact unopened boxes have become far scarcer than individual loose packs or cards. On eBay, mint condition 1987 Topps wax boxes in the iconic original packaging routinely sell for $150-$300. Very high grade sealed cases containing 12 wax boxes have even been known to eclipse $2,000 before. For collectors chasing complete sets, buying wax is often seen as the most exciting and rewarding way to build a collection through discovery.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set exemplifies everything that collectors love about classic 1980s cardboard. Its perfect storm of all-time stars, rookie phenoms, iconic designs, and nostalgia has cemented it as one of the true vintage gems that retains immense value decades later. Whether hunting for individual star cards, complete sets, or sealed wax, the 1987 edition remains an extremely popular draw for collectors on eBay. With no signs of slowing appreciation, this memorable Topps release will continue enthralling buyers and sellers alike on the leading online marketplace for sports collectibles in the years to come.