The 1968 Topps baseball card set was the seventh series of annual football cards produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. These cards featured professional baseball players from the American and National Leagues and were issued during the 1968 MLB season. The 1968 set contained 660 total cards and is highly coveted by collectors today due to its place in baseball history and the iconic rookie cards it features.

The 660 cards in the 1968 set were issued in wax paper packs, with each pack containing five or six cards. The cards measured 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches which was the standard size Topps used for baseball cards from 1952 through 1981. As with previous Topps sets, card numbers ranged from 1 through the total set size, with photo variations, error cards, and late additions accounting for deviations from the numeric pattern.

Some key facts about the iconic 1968 Topps baseball card set:

Iconic rookie cards: This set featured the rookie cards of Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Steve Garvey, Rollie Fingers and Willie McCovey as well as other legends like Fergie Jenkins and Johnny Bench.

Hank Aaron chase: The Hank Aaron chase cards (#75, #660) showing his progress towards Babe Ruth’s home run record were some of the most iconic cards in the set as Aaron broke the record in 1974.

Photo variations: Many stars like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron had two different photo variations in the set, adding to collector interest.

Uncommon error cards: A handful of error cards missing players’ names or photos stand out as rare chase cards for advanced collectors.

Late additions: After the base set was completed, nine additional cards were issued, including the final card (#669) honoring Roberto Clemente after his tragic death in a plane crash in Dec 1972.

Design changes: The 1968 set featured design changes like larger fonts, a navy border replacing red from 1967, and team name pennants underneath photos.

The 1968 Topps set marked an important time in baseball history with legends entering their primes and home run records being chased. While production numbers for individual cards are not published, the set as a whole is considered readily available in Completed form through auctions and card shops. Graded high-end examples in Gem Mint condition can still demand thousands due to the star power and historical significance represented in the 1968 cards.

Some of the most valuable cards in the 1968 Topps set today include:

Rookie cards of Reggie Jackson, Steve Garvey, Rollie Fingers – Graded 9/10 can fetch hundreds to a few thousand each

Nolan Ryan rookie card (#250) – High-graded examples over $1000

Hank Aaron cards #75 & #660 – Can reach $500-1000+ in top condition

Rookie card of Johnny Bench (#51) – >$500 for high grades

Rookie card of Willie McCovey (#466) – $200-500 range

Two known photo variation sets comprising over thirty stars – $10,000+ for a true master set.

While still obtainable for collectors on a budget in raw complete set form, condition-graded high-ends of stars and coveted rookie cards from the 1968 Topps set have grown substantially in value. This is due to both the talented players featured and the set’s placement within the core era of modern baseball fandom in the 1960s & 70s. Along with the iconic 1967, 1969, and 1970 Topps issues, the 1968 set remains one of the most recognized in the hobby.

The 1968 Topps baseball card complete set holds tremendous historical significance, features legendary players and Hall of Fame rookie cards, and offers collectors iconic visuals of stars from baseball’s golden era. While production was high, desirable examples in top grades have achieved noteworthy prices fitting for one of the most important releases from the original Topps run throughout the 20th century. The rookie cards, chase variations, and acclaimed photography make the 1968 set highly acclaimed among card collectors to this day.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th series issued by Topps and featured cards of players from that Major League Baseball season. It marked continued mainstream popularity for the iconic baseball card company in the mid-1980s. The set totaled 792 cards and was sold in wax packs, boxes, and factory sets.

A distinguishing aspect of the 1987 Topps set was the diverse photography and aesthetic styles used on the cards. While maintaining recognizable iconic attributes like borders and logos, Topps incorporated various portrait positions, action shots, team shots, and location backdrops that gave each card a unique look and feel. This helped keep the set feeling fresh for collectors while still clearly identifying it as part of the Topps brand that had been producing cards for decades.

Rookies featured in the 1987 set included future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, and Roberto Alomar. Griffey’s rookie card would go on to become one of the most iconic and valuable in the modern baseball card era. McGwire and Alomar also had strong rookie seasons that heightened interest in their rookie cards. Other notable rookies included Craig Biggio, Barry Larkin, David Wells, and Dennis Martinez.

Veteran stars heavily featured in the 1987 Topps set included Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, and Don Mattingly. These were players in the prime of their careers that remained highly popular with collectors. The diversity of teams also ensured appeal, as the set featured cards for every Major League franchise from the American and National Leagues.

The design elements of the 1987 Topps set included a team logo at the top left of each card front, with the player’s first and last name directly below. Their position was listed to the right of their name. The familiar yellow and red “Topps” logo spanned the bottom of each card front. On the backs, statistics from the previous season were provided along with a color team photo and paragraph of biographical info for each player.

An interesting visual element of the 1987 Topps design was the painted city skyline backdrops used on many of the card fronts. Rather than plain color studio photos like in prior years, Topps incorporated illustrated skyline scenes of various MLB cities into the backgrounds. This added a unique artistic flair while also subtly identifying each player’s team affiliation through their city backdrop. Colors remained relatively muted compared to modern hyper-sleek card designs.

In terms of rarity and chase cards within the 1987 Topps set, the flagship Ken Griffey Jr. rookie was clearly the most coveted by collectors. Other variants like the photo variation of Kirby Puckett’s card #48 and the “Traded” version of cards for players who switched teams midseason also engendered collector interest. The set checklist was rounded out with popular managers, coaches, and executives like Tommy Lasorda and Whitey Herzog. As with any vintage set, higher-numbered cards toward the end of the checklist tend to be scarcer.

When it was released in 1987, a pack of five random cards from the Topps set retailed for around $0.50, while a wax box containing 18 packs cost around $10. Factory sets featuring one of each card could be purchased for $15-20. In the ensuing decades, the 1987 Topps baseball card set has become a highly sought classic among collectors and investors. Keys like the Griffey rookie routinely sell for thousands of dollars in high grades today. Even common cards maintain value due to the set’s vintage popularity. For enthusiasts of 1980s baseball cards and memorabilia, the 1987 Topps issue remains a highly collectible component of the hobby’s history.

In summarization, the 1987 Topps baseball card set stands out for its vivid photography, rookie star power, veteran superstar coverage, and diverse nostalgia appeal to collectors and fans of 1980s MLB. While production values may seem quaint compared to today’s technologically advanced cards, the vintage charm and pop cultural significance of sets like 1987 Topps ensure their lasting popularity for generations of card collectors to come. The cards freeze in time not just players, but the entire context and feelings of late ‘80s America.

The 1990 Topps baseball card set was the 69th year for Topps baseball cards and contained 792 total cards. This set featured many superstar players from the 1989 MLB season including Team USA players from the 1989 inaugural World Baseball Classic. Some key things to know about the complete 1990 Topps baseball card set include:

The design of the 1990 Topps cards featured a simple yet classic look that collectors loved at the time. Each card had a white border around the colorful team photo with the team logo proudly displayed at the top. Under the photo was the player’s name, team, position, and batting/pitching stats from the previous season neatly presented. The classic “Topps” logo appeared on the lower right side with the card number toward the bottom centered. This clean and uncluttered design would become one of the most popular over the years among collectors.

Rookies featured in the 1990 set that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers included Sandy Alomar Jr., Andy Pettitte, Darren Daulton, and Tim Raines (in an Expos uniform after playing for the White Sox in 1989). Other notable rookies included Frank Thomas, Kenny Lofton, Moises Alou, and David Justice. Collectors knew to pay close attention to rookie cards as many of these players went on to great careers and high values down the road.

The 1989 World Series featured an iconic earthquake-interrupted Game 3 between the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants. Topps commemorated this memorable series with a World Series Highlights insert set of 25 cards featuring photos and stats recapping each game. This insert set brought the excitement of that year’s Fall Classic directly to the collectors.

Superstars of the day like Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan all received elaborate Topps Traded cards inserted randomly in packs with photos, stats and career highlights written on the back. These premium cards stood out and were highly sought after by collectors at the time.

Other inserted subsets included All-Star cards, League Leaders, 20th Anniversary cards for players celebrating two decades in the majors, and Turn Back The Clock retrospective cards honoring milestone seasons from the past. A Stadium Clubs subset showed off the home fields of each MLB team.

The back of each base card contained the standard player stats from the previous season, including batting average, home runs, RBI, along with career highlights. Errors were known to happen, such as Rob Dibble’s card incorrectly listing him as a member of the Cubs instead of the Reds where he actually played.

The chase for the elusive parallel Rainbow Foil cards added another layer of excitement for collectors. Ranging from the basic colored parallel (green, blue, red) all the way up to the ultra-rare gold parallel 1/1 cards, finding these hyper-valuable parallel versions of base cards was like hitting the jackpot.

The coveted final card in the base set was #792 Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers. Renowned “Ryan Express” collectors eagerly sought multiple copies of this card to showcase in their collections. The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas rookie card #420 was also one highly targeted by collectors for its clever numbering and the start of Thomas’s Hall of Fame career.

Outside of the base set, factory sets also included All-Star, League Leader, and World Series subsets. Retail “factory sets” allowed you to obtain the complete main set conveniently in one package but were also prone to variations in what was included. Hobby shop “wax packs” were more cost effective for building the base set but omitted the inserted subsets.

Obtaining a 100% complete 1990 Topps set today in pristine Near Mint/Mint condition graded by authorities like PSA or Beckett would command a significant price given over 30 years of appreciation. Key cards like stars, rookies, parallels, and especially the #792 Nolan Ryan continue to be in high demand.

The clean and classic design along with the mix of superstar players and future Hall of Famers make the 1990 Topps set one of the most memorable and collectible of the modern era. Its contents and straightforward construction appeal to both seasoned collectors and new fans of the card hobby alike. The nostalgia of opening those hobby packs never seems to fade even after all these years.

The 1981 Topps baseball card set is highly collected and continues to hold nostalgia for many who purchased and swapped cards as children in the early 1980s. The design of the cards veered from the classic look of previous years with a new simplified template. The set still contained many iconic players and rookie cards that make finding a complete collection a goal for dedicated collectors.

The 1981 Topps set contains 792 total cards including 660 regular issue cards as well as 132 unique cards in the high number series. The design featured a white border around each photo with a minimal amount of black added. Gone were the team logo boxes in the corners that had been a staple of Topps baseball cards going back to the early 1950s. Player names appeared above each photo in black bold font with the team name below in a smaller light gray font. Statistics moved to the bottom border of the card along with fun facts, career highlights, or other notes about each player.

While breaking from tradition, collectors at the time still enjoyed the cards. The simpler look provided more prominent focus on each player photo. Some have argued it remains one of the cleanest Topps designs ever due to its lack of clutter. The player photos also employ a consistent bright lighting that shows great detail.

The regular 660 card set contained a who’s who of 1980 season superstars and franchise legends. Hank Aaron’s final card, marked “Hank Aaron Retires”, was a memorable inclusion. Other huge stars like Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Dave Winfield, and Nolan Ryan were all featured prominently.

Rookie cards of pitching standouts Fernando Valenzuela, Steve Trout, and Rick Sutcliffe also made their debuts. Trout and Sutcliffe went on to have solid careers but Valenzuela’s rookie is one of the most iconic and valuable in the entire hobby due to his rookie of the year season. His dominant performances helped bring new interest in the sport during the 1981 player’s strike.

The high number series, running from card #661 to #792, provided opportunity for many less renowned players to see their lone Topps cards issued. These lesser known names can be more difficult finds for collectors. Standouts include fan favorite Phil Niekro’s final card as well as rookie cards for future All-Stars like Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson, and Tony Gwynn.

The design simplicity still allowed plenty of room for fun insets. Short biographies, action photos, puzzle pieces, and oddball facts ran alongside traditional stats. The puzzles offered the chance to complete front and back sets by combining different cards. Topps also experimented with “3-D” style images on select cards that provided an extra pop when viewed with special glasses included in wax packs.

Finding a true complete 1981 set today in pristine mint condition presents a notable challenge. The sheer number of included cards combined with the set’s widespread popularity among collectors both then and now means individual cards are not often available outside of larger intact collections. PSA or BGS graded examples of the iconic rookie cards especially command premium prices. Even well-kept common player examples hold value for someone seeking to finish their collection.

When Topps lost the MLB license after 1981, they still produced very similar looking sets the following two years under the name “Sports Americana.” Those sets referenced specific MLB teams and players without directly using names or logos. They satisfied collectors but lacked the official status of true Topps baseball cards. As a result, the 1981 set remains the final “true” Topps release before the company regained their license in 1987.

In the decades since its initial release, the 1981 Topps baseball set has grown in esteem. Its place as a bookend between eras and an easily recognized 1980s vintage design resonates with collectors both casual and hardcore. Obtaining a high grade complete collection becomes a real trophy chase. Even partially completing the set through smart shopping provides the thrill of owning tangible pieces of baseball card history. For these reasons, the allure of the 1981 Topps set ensures it will remain a popular and historic release among collectors for years to come.

The 1990 Topps baseball card set was released during the middle of baseball’s steroid era and marked a time of transition for the iconic card company. The 1980s brought new challenges as rival brands like Upper Deck and Score arose and began chipping away at Topps’ dominance of the baseball card market. In response, Topps brought more innovations to their 1990 lineup in an effort to remain competitive.

The 1990 Topps set contains 792 total cards and was the 82nd annual release from the longest running brand in the industry. Some notable roster moves from the 1989 season included Rickey Henderson being traded from Oakland to the New York Yankees and Johnny Bench retiring after playing his entire 17-year Hall of Fame career with the Cincinnati Reds. The cards captured all these stories and more as the 1990 season geared up.

For the front of the cards, Topps transitioned to a cleaner and more colorful design compared to recent years. Most prominently, they dropped the yellow color palette from 1989 in favor of brighter blue and red shades as the primary tones. The team logo at the upper right was enlarged and placement of the player’s name and stats was refined for improved legibility. The classic Topps look of providing fun facts on the back and player photo on the front remained unchanged.

Topps introduced several exciting new inserts and parallels to their 1990 set that increased chase value for collectors beyond the base cards. Some of the most popular included:

Embossed Gold Parallels (1:144 packs) – Featuring an shiny gold foil design on the front similar to recent years.

Glossy All-Stars (1:132 packs) – Highlighting 33 of the biggest stars in the league that season including Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, and Mark McGwire.

Record Breakers (1:396 packs) – Honoring notable milestones and achievements from 1989 such as Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout.

Mini Leaders (1:72 packs) – Featuring the top stats leaders from the previous season shrunk down to a postage stamp size.

Super Star Specials (1:600 packs) – Ultra-rare parallel variation cards depicting superstar players.

The rookie class of 1990 featured several future Hall of Famers and MLB greats such as Edgar Martinez, Larry Walker, and John Smoltz. But the true rookie card star was Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken Jr, fresh off breaking Lou Gehrig’s iconic streak of 2,130 consecutive games played the prior season. His base rookie, which showed him in the squat batting stance that would define his career, became one of the most coveted and valuable cards from the set across the decades.

In a sign that revenues from cards and memorabilia was an increasingly big part of franchise business, many teams added exclusive inserts, parallels, and autograph cards in 1990 only available in their team packs. For example, Orioles fans could find a Cal Ripken rookie autograph parallel at a much higher hit rate than other teams. Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A’s fans had access to special “hometown” parallel sets highlighting their star players too.

While Topps base cards remained the standard that year, rival Upper Deck made a major splash with their sophisticated second series that emphasized stunning photography and premium materials like coated stock paper. It was clear Topps needed to continue innovating to keep pace with new entrants changing collector expectations. They responded positively by experimenting with different card designs, sizes, and parallel variations across subsequent years.

In the end, the 1990 Topps baseball card set achieved the immense challenge facing the brand that year – holding its ground against growing competition while transitioning to stay contemporary. The attention to details like improved graphics and increased hit rates of chase cards delivered on collectors’ demand for excitement alongside the timeless tradition of America’s favorite pastime captured in cardboard. Over 30 years later, it remains an iconic set representing a pivotal period that helped define the modern collecting experience.