In 2022, Topps released their 70th Anniversary baseball card set to celebrate seven decades of producing America’s favorite collectible. As the leading brand in sports and entertainment cards, Topps has become synonymous with baseball cards over the years. They first started producing gum-backed cards in 1951, quickly dominating the market and becoming the most iconic manufacturer for the childhood hobby.

To honor their rich baseball card history, Topps released a prestigious insert set featuring some of the biggest stars from each decade of their existence. There are a total of 70 cards in the set split into decades from the 1950s through 2010s. Each card features a different legendary player from that era, with various parallels and autographed versions for advanced collectors. Some of the biggest names included are Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Cal Ripken Jr, Derek Jeter, and Mike Trout.

The design of the cards pays homage to different Topps sets from each decade represented. For example, the 1950s cards mimic the look of the famous 1952 Topps set with a solid color background. The 1960s cards have sparkling embellishments like the high-gloss 1968 issue. Perhaps the coolest touch is how the autographs are integrated – they actually appear on the baseball pictured on each card just like real signed balls. This adds a very special authentic feel for collectors excited to own game-used memorabilia.

In addition to the base parallel, Topps released several popular premium versions of the 70th Anniversary set. The Autographed Silver Prizm parallel features low-numbered parallels with dazzling colors and textures from the popular Prizm platform. Another big hit was the Hand-Numbered Gold Prizm parallel, limited to only 10 copies worldwide which immediately started bidding wars online. There was also a super short-print 1-of-1 Platinum Prizm parallel created for extremely high-end collectors.

The true crowning jewel was the Exquisite Collection parallel. Limited to a total of just 7 cards (one for each decade), these put an incredible new level of production value and handcrafted details into baseball cards. Each Exquisite card was meticulously designed to resemble an actual autographed photograph, andincludes game-used memorabilia from the player featured. For example, the 1950s Exquisite card combines a Mickey Mantle autograph with swatches of his pants and stirrups actually worn on the field. Needless to say, these instantly became the most valuable cards ever released by Topps with estimates of six figures for a single Exquisite card.

The massive demand and scarcity of this set showed how strong nostalgia can be for Topps’ classic retro designs integrating modern acetate technologies. Within days of release, virtually all versions of the 70th Anniversary cards were completely sold out online. This created a frenzy amongst collectors both young and old wanting to commemorate and collect a piece of Topps’ irreplaceable history in the hobby. Even months later, individual cards were still fetching huge sums in the aftermarket as people sought out their favorite players from the past.

This high-selling success demonstrated that while trends in sports card design and inserts may come and go, the brand equity and passion for Topps’ classic cardboard excellence remains as strong as ever after 70 continuous years. Their commitment to innovation as well as celebrating tradition has kept them at the forefront of the collectibles industry. The 70th Anniversary baseball card set was a true collector’s dream come to life, bridging nostalgia of the past with modern production qualities. It marked an incredible milestone worthy of Topps’ unmatched legacy as king of the baseball card industry.

2022 marked the 35th anniversary of Topps’ iconic baseball card product. For over eight decades, Topps has been the dominant force in the baseball card industry and their anniversary sets are always highly anticipated releases that commemorate the long history between the brand and America’s pastime.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set was a special 700 card release to celebrate 35 years of Topps baseball cards. What made this anniversary set unique was that it contained reprints of some of the most iconic and valuable cards from past Topps series dating all the way back to 1952. Fans young and old loved being able to obtain classic cards that they may have otherwise never had a chance to add to their collections.

Topps pulled cards from various years throughout their history to include in the ’87 set, with the earliest being a reprint of the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. Other notable reprints included cards of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax among many others. In total, there were 88 classic cards recreated for the 35th anniversary set, spanning from the 1950s all the way to the 1970s. Each reprint card was marked with “ANNIVERSARY REPRINT” on the front to distinguish it from the original vintage issues.

In addition to the reprints of yesteryear, the ’87 Topps set also included all the active major league players from that season. Some of the biggest star rookies included in the base set were Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Tom Glavine. The design aesthetics of the anniversary cards paid homage to Topps’ earlier designs from the late 1950s and 1960s with a classic white border and team logo at the bottom. The photography and color tones also emulated that retro vintage baseball card look that fans loved.

The ’87 Topps set was also notable for including several special anniversary-themed promotional and insert card subsets. One was a “Topps Baseball History” subset that highlighted iconic Topps cards and moments from the past. Another was an “Anniversary All-Stars” subset that featured current players recreating poses from the reprint cards they were included with. The most coveted insert of the set were the rare gold foil parallel versions of the reprint cards that were inserted at approximately 1 per case.

When the 1987 Topps baseball cards were released, they were an instant hit with collectors both young and old. Being able to obtain classic reprints of cards that in some cases hadn’t been widely available for decades was incredibly exciting. The set sparked a renewed interest in the history of Topps and helped introduce a whole new generation to the iconic players and designs of baseball cards past. Prices for the ’87 set remained strong well after release date as collectors cherished these anniversary commemorative issues.

In the decades since, the 1987 Topps baseball cards have taken on an iconic status of their own as one of the most memorable and collectible anniversary releases in the brand’s history. The reprint cards hold significant value today, with high grade examples of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or other classics easily commanding thousands of dollars. Even run-of-the-mill copies of the reprints hold value due to their historical significance. And the rookie cards of players like McGwire and Glavine have appreciated nicely as well considering their playing careers.

When assessing the impact and legacy of the 1987 Topps baseball card set 35 years later, it’s clear this anniversary outing was an unmitigated success. Topps created an instant nostalgia by revisiting their rich baseball card history and packaging it alongside a new generation of players. The set sparked memories for older collectors and educated younger fans about the pioneers who came before. Its reprint cards ensured iconic Topps moments from the past lived on for future generations as well. In so many ways, the ’87 issue exemplified what makes Topps baseball so beloved after all these decades. It was a true celebration of the brand’s long tradition within the sport.

2022 marked the 70th anniversary of Topps baseball cards, celebrating seven decades of producing America’s favorite baseball collectible. Since the original 1952 Topps release, Topps has created iconic cards that have captured the history of Major League Baseball and brought joy to generations of fans.

To honor their rich history, Topps released the 2022 Topps 70th Anniversary baseball card set. The insert set within the larger 2022 Topps base set paid tribute to some of the most memorable and valuable cards from Topps’ extensive catalog. Each card in the anniversary set featured a current player photographed in front of a reproduction of a classic Topps card from years past.

Some of the cards selected for the 70th anniversary tribute included the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card, the 1975 Topps Fred Lynn rookie card, and the 1954 Topps Willie Mays card, considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs in baseball card history. By pairing current stars with these pieces of cardboard history, Topps was able to connect baseball’s past with its present in a visually engaging way.

Fans and collectors were thrilled to see stars like Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr. and others pay homage to the legends that came before them. The anniversary set was a fun and creative way for Topps to look back on their unparalleled run producing baseball cards while still celebrating today’s top players. As the longest-running issuer of baseball cards, Topps’ history is deeply intertwined with how the sport has developed and grown in popularity over the past seven decades.

When Topps began producing baseball cards in 1952, the post-World War II era was bringing newfound prosperity and enthusiasm for America’s pastime. Led by icons like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, baseball’s golden age was in full swing. Topps seized the opportunity to capitalize on the card collecting craze, outbidding competitors for the exclusive rights to players’ likenesses. Their innovative design approach and affordability helped make collecting Topps cards an affordable hobby for millions of young fans.

In the decades since, Topps continued to innovate, whether through the introduction of color photos, oddball parallels, autograph and memorabilia cards, or innovative insert sets celebrating milestones. They also expanded beyond baseball to produce cards for other sports like football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and entertainment. Through recessions, strikes, and other challenges, Topps cards remained a constant presence at the local drugstore, connecting generations to their favorite athletes.

The 1970s saw the rise of the superstar athlete as salaries exploded. Players like Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and George Brett achieved unprecedented fame and fortune. Their rookie cards from this era have become enormously valuable, with the most coveted examples selling for millions of dollars. The late 80s and 90s also produced many iconic rookie cards, like Griffey, Piazza, and A-Rod cards that still entice collectors today.

As the internet age dawned, Topps was quick to embrace new technologies, launching an online platform and app. This allowed for easier collecting, trading, and special digital releases. In recent years, Topps has thrived with innovative products while maintaining the classic design sensibilities that made their paper issues so beloved. The release of highly limited 1/1 parallel cards and autographs of today’s biggest names has kept collector interest high.

Topps’ 70th anniversary celebration was a chance to not only honor their unparalleled contribution to the hobby, but also showcase how the company has continuously adapted to remain vital. As long as baseball is played, Topps cards will likely be a part of the experience for new generations, collecting memories with every pack they open. Here’s to the next 70 years of Topps baseball cards chronicling America’s favorite pastime.

In 2007, Topps issued their 40th Anniversary set to commemorate four decades of producing sports cards for the baseball industry. The design paid homage to some of their most iconic baseball card designs from years past while showcasing the current crop of Major League stars. The set included parallel inserts that satisfied both modern collectors and nostalgic fans of the vintage era of baseball cards.

Topps first introduced baseball cards as gum wrappers in 1951, securing the license to images from Major League Baseball teams and players. Their annual issues evolved the simple design from the 50s into highly collectible works of art by the late 80s and 90s. For their 40th Anniversary set in 2007, Topps incorporated memorable aesthetic touches from different eras to satisfy collectors across generations.

The basic cards used a clean white border resembling 1953 Topps designs. centered each player image against a color panel background with team logo at top in the classic large format. Statistics appeared on the lower portion of the card as they did in the early annuals. Turning the card over revealed career highlights in the style of 60s/70s issues. The front design allowed the large cropped photos to shine while invoking the simplified early look.

Among the inserts were “Golden Anniversary” parallels with gold borders and serial numbering out of just 50 copies to emulate the luxury of 1950s high-series cards. Also included were “Silver Anniversary” parallel versions with silver borders and serial numbering to 150 copies each that paid tribute to the highly coveted 1972 and 1973 Topps sets which first introduced parallel variations. These exclusive parallel versions instantly added value for collectors.

Other inserts recognized specific milestones from Topps’ history like the “Record Breaker” parallels highlighting individual career achievements tied to records broken that season. A “Flamethrower” parallel paid homage to the late 90s Topps Velocity insert sets focusing on power pitchers. And “Hall of Fame” parallels with a gold nameplate design recalled the similar inserts from 2005 Topps Heritage recognizing new inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The massive base set roster included each team’s 25-man active roster plus additional players of note. Rookies, prospects and young stars received special SP (Special Pitchers) or SPx (Special) designation in the lower left just as in vintage issues. Serial number parallels were also included outside the base set in “Gold Spectrum” and “Silver Spectrum” variations paralleling the “Rainbow Foil” inserts of 98-99 Topps design.

Perhaps most special were the 1/1 printing plate autograph cards available exclusively to hobby shops and distributors through case breaks and special lottery drawings. These incredibly rare quad printing plate autographs featured autographed plates mounted to the blank card stock with gold borders, just as in the original 1954 Topps issues which first introduced autograph cards as chase pieces to the set. Fewer than 10 are known to exist today in the hands of elite collectors.

While not quite reaching the lofty prices of true 1950s vintage, sealed or complete sets of the 2007 Topps 40th Anniversary issue today sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars online depending on condition. High-number parallels like the ‘Golden Anniversary’ 1/1 plates can also command 5-figure sums. The set skillfully celebrated the brand’s history through creative insert sets and callouts to past designs while still appealing to the modern collector base. It stands among the most successful and enduring commemorative issues in the hobby.

For longtime Topps fans and collectors new to the pastime alike, the 40th Anniversary baseball card set successfully blended memorable moments from the evolution of America’s favorite pastime with Topps’ role in documenting it across generations. Career stats and accomplishments meshed with visual nods to the innovators who first popularized the sport nationwide. Both nostalgic influences and forward-looking additions highlighted baseball’s progress in the decades since that first Topps release in 1951. The result was a true collector’s item celebrating four decades of tradition and connectivity through America’s favorite trading cards.