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1986 TOPPS QUAKER CHEWY BASEBALL CARDS VALUES

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The 1986 Topps Chewy Baseball card series was released during a time when chewing gum baseball cards were still a novelty. While 1986 was not the inaugural year for Topps Chewy cards, it marked a major turning point as values started appreciating significantly from prior year issues. The 1986 design featured a colorful border framing each player photo with their name and team printed along the bottom. On the back was a fun cartoon illustration relating to the player along with their personal stats.

As with most vintage sets, the rookie and star cards hold the most value. Some key premium cards from the ’86 Topps Chewy set include:

Roger Clemens RC (card #177) – With Clemens establishing himself as one of the game’s elite power pitchers by 1986, his rookie card is a must-have for Red Sox and baseball card collectors. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples in pristine condition have sold for over $1,000. Even well-centered near mint copies still command $100-300.

Dwight Gooden RC (card #130) – As the defending NL Cy Young winner in 1985, Gooden’s rookie card is iconic from this era. In a PSA 10 case, it can fetch $800-1,200. More common PSA 8-9 grades sell in the $200-500 range.

Ozzie Smith (card #499) – The Wizard was a fan favorite for his highlight reel defense at shortstop. His ’86 Chewy card maintains strong demand, with PSA 10s bringing $400-600 and lower graded copies priced around $100-250.

Rickey Henderson RC (card #516) – One of the most exciting players of the 1980s, Henderson made his Topps debut in this set. Pristine PSA 10 Rickey rookie Chewys sell for $600-800, with most others in the $200-400 range depending on condition.

Cal Ripken Jr. (card #494) – As Ripken’s Iron Man streak kicked off in 1982, collectors took notice of the young shortstop’s potential. High grade ’86 Ripken Chewys have reached $400-600 at auction.

Don Mattingly (card #488) – The smooth swinging 1984 AL MVP continued to captivate fans. PSA 10 Mattingly Chewys demand $300-500, with lower grades priced around $100-250.

Moving beyond the elite rookie and star cards, there are also several other notable middle to high-end performers from the ’86 Topps Chewy set:

Kirby Puckett (card #480) – An underrated performer at the time, Puckett had begun turning heads in Minnesota. His Chewy in Gem Mint condition demands $150-300.

Tim Raines (card #492) – One of the premier leadoff hitters and base stealers of the era. PSA 10 Raines Chewys have sold for $200-400.

Wade Boggs (card #479) – The 1985 batting champ was becoming a household name. Pristine Boggs cards in a PSA 10 gem case bring $150-300.

Dave Winfield (card #506) – The Hall of Famer was in his prime with the Yankees. High grade Winfield Chewys reach $100-200.

Bert Blyleven (card #465) – Underappreciated during his career, the wily righty’s cards have gained traction in retirement. PSA 10 Blylevens sell around $150-250.

Fernando Valenzuela (card #498) – “Fernandomania” had taken sports by storm the previous season. Valenzuela’s Chewy maintains demand at $75-150 for top condition copies.

Of course, there are also plenty of mid-range and lower dollar performers throughout the set that can still be found quite affordably for most collectors’ budgets. Some other value names throughout include Keith Hernandez, Jack Morris, Tony Gwynn rookie, Dennis Eckersley, Darryl Strawberry rookie, Bruce Sutter, and Dennis Martinez among many others.

In terms of the general population of 1986 Topps Chewy cards, here is a breakdown of typical values based on the all-important PSA/BGS grading scale:

PSA 10 (Gem Mint): $50-150
PSA 9 (Mint): $25-75
PSA 8 (Very Good-Mint): $15-50
PSA 7 (Very Good): $5-25
PSA 6 (Good-Very Good): $3-12
PSA 5 (Good): $1-5

Of course, there will always be outliers that exceed or fall below these general guidelines based on certain players, variations, and market conditions. But overall, the 1986 Topps Chewys remain a fun and affordable set for collectors, especially compared to some of the hyper-inflated modern issues. With its blend of stars, prospects and fun retro design, it’s no wonder the ’86 Chewies have sustained popularity among vintage baseball card collectors.

1986 QUAKER CHEWY GRANOLA BARS BASEBALL CARDS

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In 1986, Quaker Oats Company saw an opportunity to merge two of America’s favorite pastimes – baseball and snack time. Looking for a fun promotional item to help bolster sales of their Chewy Granola Bars, Quaker Oats struck a deal with Major League Baseball to produce the very first stick of gum or snack food to include baseball cards. This daring marketing move would result in one of the most unique and sought-after collector’s items in sports card history – the 1986 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Baseball Cards.

Like most baseball card sets of the era, the 1986 Quaker cards featured photos of players from both the American and National Leagues on the front. What set these cards apart was their colorful cardboard backing and large nutritional information panel on the reverse. Each pack of six cards was sealed inside individual foil wrappers and included inside boxes of Quaker’s Chewy Granola Bars.

Initially, consumers were a bit perplexed by finding baseball cards mixed in with their snacks. Children quickly grew to love the surprise element of not knowing which star players they might pull from their breakfast bars. Meanwhile, adults appreciated Quaker’s creative solution for engaging a new generation of fans. The unique paring of America’s pastime with a healthy breakfast proved a marketing grand slam, significantly boosting Quaker’s sales and raising the profile of their Granola Bars brand.

When first released in 1986, the cards did not carry much significance from a collector’s standpoint. As the years passed their interesting backstory and novel packaging design made them highly sought after by both vintage card aficionados and those simply looking to own a piece of pop culture history. Since production was lower than standard card sets due to packaging constraints, finding a complete 1986 Quaker set in top condition is extremely difficult. Some key rookie and star player cards have sold for over $100 individually.

The tremendous success of the 1986 experiment convinced Quaker to continue producing baseball cards inserted in Granola Bars for several years. From 1987-1990, minor variations were made to the cards’ design but the basic concept remained the same. Notable additions included statistics and season recaps on the back in later years. None have achieved quite the same iconic status as the original 1986 pioneers. By the early 1990s, as the baseball card boom was beginning to cool, Quaker ceased including sportscards but continued promoting their breakfast bars through other avenues.

Today, the 1986 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Baseball Cards remain one of the most innovative and offbeat licensed sets ever created. While some initially questioned getting baseball mixed in with breakfast, the partnership was a resounding success that introduced millions of young fans to America’s pastime. They exist as quirky pop culture artifacts chronicling an experimental time when breakfast, baseball, and cards intersected in a most unexpected but delightful way. Few could have imagined back in 1986 the impact those tiny cardboard pull-outs found in cereal aisles would eventually have. But through nostalgia and niche appeal, the 1986 Quaker cards continue delighting collectors decades later with their unique story.

The history of the 1986 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Baseball Cards demonstrates how creative marketing can merge seemingly disparate products and audiences to great effect. By thinking outside the box, Quaker Oats engineered a promotional win-win that boosted cereal sales while introducing baseball fandom to a new generation. Though initially an oddity, the novelty and fun of finding baseball’s brightest stars amidst breakfast has ensured the 1986 Quakers a cherished spot in the annals of baseball card history. Their fun backstory and limited production run has also made them a rare and highly valued commodity for collectors with discerning tastes. In that sense, Quaker’s bold experiment can certainly be seen as one for the ages.

TOPPS QUAKER CHEWY BASEBALL CARDS

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Introduction to Topps Quaker Chewy Baseball Cards
In 1967, Topps partnered with Quaker Oats to release a new type of baseball card unlike anything collectors had seen before – cards with a stick of chewing gum embedded right in the package. Known as Topps Quaker Chewy baseball cards, this unique promotion brought the thrill of chewing gum and baseball cards together in one collectible package. Over 50 years later, Topps Quaker Chewy cards remain a highly sought after vintage release prized by collectors.

The History and Design of Topps Quaker Chewy Cards
Topps had been the dominant force in baseball cards since the 1950s, creating the modern concept of trading, collecting and storing cards in albums. In 1967, Topps inked a deal with Quaker Oats, one of the largest food companies in America at the time, to create a new type of baseball product. Each wax-packaged card had a stick of Quaker’s Fruit Chewy gum embedded below the trading card, sealed with a clear wrapper. This innovative concept was a first for the industry.

The design of Topps Quaker Chewy cards emulated the classic look of 1960s Topps issues. On the front was a color photo of a baseball player along with their name, team and stats. The back contained career highlights and stats. What set these cards apart was the rectangular clear wrapper below the cardboard backing that enclosed the stick of chewing gum. “BUBBLE GUM INSIDE” was prominently displayed on the front. Each pack of five cards cost 15 cents, about the same as a regular pack of cards from Topps.

Promoting the Cards and Gum to Baseball Fanatics
To promote the unique product, Topps and Quaker launched an extensive marketing campaign. Full-page colorful newspaper and magazine ads prominently featured the tagline “Baseball stars and bubble gum, what could be better?!” Newspaper contests offered chances to win tickets to MLB games. Promo packs were even inserted in cases of Quaker cereals on store shelves. The partnerships helped turn baseball card collecting into an even bigger mainstream pastime among America’s youth.

Contents of the 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy Baseball Set
The 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy baseball card set totaled a modest 222 cards, featuring players from both the American and National Leagues. Rosters included all the biggest stars of the late 1960s such as Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays. Autograph cards were inserted randomly in wax packs as prizes. The backs contained the same basic stats format used in standard Topps issues that year. With a shorter print run compared to regular Topps sets, 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy cards remain coveted by vintage collectors.

Challenges and Discontinuation of the Product Line
While the Topps Quaker Chewy concept was innovative, it also posed some challenges. Complaints surfaced that the gum was getting stuck inside card packs or melting in warm weather conditions. From a business standpoint, the added production costs of integrating gum lowered profit margins versus regular card-only issues. After just one successful year in 1967, Topps and Quaker opted not to continue the product line the following season.

Legacy and Collectibility of 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy Cards
Despite only being produced for a single year over five decades ago, 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy cards remain legendary in the hobby. The innovative gum-and-card combo packaging concept helped further popularize the connection between baseball and chewing gum in American culture. Individual common cards can sell for over $10 in Near Mint condition due to their short print run and nostalgic appeal. High-number and stars rookies routinely fetch triple-digit prices. Graded gem mint examples of iconic Hall of Famers like Koufax, Aaron and Mays have sold at auction for thousands. For dedicated vintage collectors, a complete 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy set remains a prized trophy piece of their collections. The unique one-year only partnership between Topps and Quaker that produced these fun childhood memories continues captivating collectors to this day.

In Conclusion
The 1967 Topps Quaker Chewy baseball card set broke new ground by integrating chewing gum directly into cardboard packages alongside classic player cards. A cooperative marketing blitz helped popularize the product with youth baseball fans. While short-lived due to production challenges, Topps Quaker Chewy cards enduringly symbolize the nostalgic bond between baseball, cards and bubble gum for a generation of Baby Boomers. Over 50 years later, their innovative gum-packed packaging and scarce surviving population retain a cherished place in the pantheon of renowned vintage sports issues prized by knowledgeable collectors.

QUAKER CHEWY GRANOLA BARS BASEBALL CARDS

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The birth of two American pastimes – chewy granola bars and baseball cards. Quaker Oats’ legendary Quaker Chewy Granola Bars and the collectible cards featuring America’s favorite pastime, baseball, both rose to popularity in the 20th century and have remained beloved snacks and collectibles for generations.

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars had humble beginnings. In the late 1960s, as the hippie movement spread across America, granola became a popular healthy snack made from oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. In 1975, Quaker Oats realized consumers wanted a more convenient portable granola experience and created the first chewy granola bar. Made with nutritious whole grain oats and other natural ingredients, the bars provided a tasty energizing snack. The inaugural chewy granola bars came individually wrapped in colorful foil packaging decorated with imagery of outdoor scenes like hiking trails and campfires, appealing to an active outdoorsy lifestyle.

The original Quaker Chewy Granola Bars were an immediate success, appealing to health conscious consumers looking for a grab and go snack. Over the decades, Quaker continued innovating by introducing new flavors like raisins and nuts or coconut cranberry and expanding varieties including protein and fiber-enriched bars. Today, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars remain America’s top-selling granola bar with over 80 million bars consumed each week in a variety of flavors from oats and honey to peanut butter puffs.

While granola bars rose to popularity in the 1970s, the collecting phenomenon of baseball cards had begun much earlier in the late 19th century. The first baseball cards were included as promotional inserts in cigarette packs starting in 1886 from companies like Allen & Ginter and Goodwin & Co. Early baseball cards featured prominent players from the time like Bug Holliday, King Kelly and Pud Galvin displayed in sepia tone photos.

In the early 20th century, candy companies like American Caramel Company and Futrell Candy Company began inserting baseball cards in candy packs like gum and Cracker Jack which helped expose the sport to a wider audience. During World War I and II, baseball card production declined due to shortages but exploded again in the post-war 1940s and 1950s as new manufacturers like Bowman, Topps and Fleer entered the market. In 1949, Topps signed an exclusive deal with Major League Baseball to produce the only officially licensed baseball cards. This exclusivity helped standardize the size and design of modern baseball cards.

The 1950s and 1960s are considered the golden age of baseball cards as production boomed and America’s national pastime reached its peak popularity. Iconic stars of the era like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax were featured on vibrant colorful cards that doubled as collecting treasures and trading commodities for young baseball fans. As television brought baseball into living rooms across America, card collecting surged with an estimated 400 million or more cards printed in 1956 alone. Towards the late 1960s and 1970s, as chewy granola bars rose in popularity, the investment hype around rare cards faded but card collecting remained an integral tradition for honoring baseball’s greats.

The convergence of baseball collecting and chewy granola bars arrived in the 1980s and 1990s through innovative trading card promotions by Quaker Oats and their partnerships with professional sports leagues. In the 1980s, Quaker included baseball and football trading cards in boxes of Cap’n Crunch cereal highlighting stats and photos of superstar athletes. In the 1990s, Quaker created an entire MLB trading card line inserting packs into Chewy Granola Bars. These innovative cross-promotions brought two memorable pastimes together, allowing fans to enjoy nutritional granola snacks along with collecting the latest cards of Kenny Lofton, Pedro Martinez or Cal Ripken Jr.

To this day, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars and baseball cards remain inextricably linked in nostalgic memory and tradition. Though production has declined from peak numbers, an estimated 250 million cards are still printed annually and new collectors are initiated every season. With its simple formula of oats, honey and nuts packed in foil pouches, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars have endured for over four decades while baseball cards marking over 150 years of evolution showcase America’s national pastime. Both remain nostalgic items passed down through generations and continue connecting communities with fond memories of peeling back foil or cracking open wax packs in pursuit of childhood favorites. Together, they show how certain snacks and collectibles can become ingrained in the American cultural fabric.