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1987 FLEER MINI BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Fleer Mini Baseball card set was a unique product released during the height of the speculative bubble in the trading card market of the mid-1980s. At 64 cards, the mini set featured sharply reduced versions of standard Fleer baseball cards from that same year printed on a much smaller scale. Despite their novelty, the mini cards did not capture the collecting fervor of the era and have remained a fairly obscure footnote in the history of baseball cards.

In the mid-1980s, the baseball card market was booming as the combination of increased licensure deals between card companies and MLB players coupled with speculation fueled unprecedented demand. Releases from the majors like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss expanded massively in size each year to capitalize. By 1987 cracks were starting to form as overproduction led to decreased scarcity and demand started to wane.

It was against this backdrop that Fleer conceived of the mini card set as an experimental offshoot product meant to appeal to children and spark renewed interest. The design choices likely hampered that goal. At only about 1.5 inches square, the mini cards featured such minuscule reduced images of players and stats that they were barely legible even to adult collectors. Lacking any real usefulness beyond being novelty curios, they failed to resonate with the core collector demographic.

Though the set duplicated the same 64 players as the regular 1987 Fleer issue, the condensed mini portraits seemed to drain all personality from the images. Gone were fine details like facial features, uniforms, and backgrounds. Many reviewers criticized the end result as making the players look strangely alien or robotic. Problems with print alignment and centering plagued many cards, further harming appeal.

Distribution was also an issue, as the minis did not see widespread mainstream retail availability in the same way as standard releases. Many hypothesized this was a conscious decision by Fleer not wanting the novelty set to directly compete with and possibly cannibalize sales of their flagship product that year. Without broad distribution channels, collectors struggled to find the complete set during the initial run.

While one of the minis more interesting inclusions was the same Expos Stadium Club bonus cards found packed randomly in the ’87 Fleer base set, even including these popular inserts did little overall to move product. With no dedicated following or sustained interest, the mini cards failed to catch on or maintain any real secondary market. Most that survived today remain in only lightly played condition within common sets still attainable for under $20 complete.

A few stars from the set like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, or Ozzie Smith have obtained nominal premiums in gem mint condition graded copies. But for the most part, lackluster visuals and broad availability kept appreciation muted. Beyond a footnote in card checklists, the 1987 Fleer minis have been largely forgotten outside a few niche vintage collectors. Their attempt to ride the speculative boom wave with a novelty-focused offshoot set came too late, as the market had already long since moved on by that point.

In retrospect, the minis were probably not a fully realized concept. Their main priority seemed to be miniaturization for its own sake rather than crafting an experience that still effectively showcased the players and stirred collector passion. Greater focus on improved design and more widespread distribution may have given them a fighting chance. But ultimately, 1987 Fleer mini baseball cards amounted to little more than a quirky oddity from fleeting speculative era that has endured mostly thanks to a few tucked away in attics rather than any real nostalgia or collecting demand of their own. They remain a peculiar footnote alongside the boom and bust storyline of the 1980s trading card market.

While the 1987 Fleer mini baseball cards themselves did not have lasting appeal or demand, they serve as an interesting case study for how experimental side projects from major card companies do not always pan out if not well executed or timed to capture collector interest. Their small scale novelty alone could not carry the product in the face of waning 1980s speculation and lack of usable functional qualities for fans. But they remain a curiosity from that era worth knowing about for students of sports card history seeking to understand the often speculative business decisions behind some of its corners.

MINI BASEBALL CARDS

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Mini baseball cards, also called mini carders, is a term used to describe smaller version baseball trading cards that are typically 35% to 50% smaller in size than standard trading cards. They first became popular in the late 1960s and remained a staple in the collectible card industry for decades. Despite waning popularity in recent years compared to their heyday, mini cards still appeal to many collectors today for their novelty, detail, and affordability.

The origin of mini baseball cards can be traced back to 1966 when Topps, the prominent trading card manufacturer, released sets in plastic vending machines that contained 36 mini cards that were approximately 50% smaller than a standard size card. These “Vending Box” issues became very popular with collectors, especially younger kids, due to their affordability and ability to be purchased conveniently from local stores. Their compact size also made them easier for kids to carry and trade compared to full-sized cards.

In 1967, Topps followed up on the success of the vending box mini cards with their first full mini card baseball set titled “Rookie Pitchers.” This 93-card series featured many up-and-coming rookie players from that season. Over the next few decades, Topps and other companies like Fleer would produce dozens of mini baseball card sets each year in parallel to their standard sized releases.

Mini cards had many advantages over regular cards that led to their widespread popularity. First, they were cheaper to produce which allowed them to be priced more affordably, usually only 25 to 50 cents per pack. This made them easily accessible for kids and families with limited discretionary incomes. Their smaller size also meant more cards could be packed into waxed paper or plastic packaging, offering collectors more bang for their buck. Mini cards were also often included as premiums or bonuses packaged with regular sized sets or included in food, candy, and cereal promotions.

The compact dimensions of mini cards, typically around 2 inches by 3 inches front to back, lent themselves well to mass production techniques. Several printing processes emerged that allowed the images, stats, and graphics on mini cards to be sharply reproduced at a miniature scale while still retaining high image quality, color vibrancy, and fine detailing. Advances in offset lithographic and gravure printing through the 1960s and 1970s perfected how mini cards could sustainibly replicate the look and feel of their larger counterparts in a petite form factor.

While most mini baseball card sets paralleled regular sized releases with the same photographers, designers, and statistical information, occasionally unique mini exclusive sets emerged that were separate from Topps’ or Fleer’s standard annual issues. Examples include the 1969 Topps Mini Leaders, which featured statistical leaders and award winners, or the 1974 Topps Mini Frankenstein Monster Cards, celebrating the novelty of the monster movie character on trading cards. Special mini card subsets also appeared within standard releases highlighting certain players or award winners for that year.

Mini baseball cards remained a staple of the hobby through the 1970s and into the 1980s, as collecting card remained mainstream pastime for both kids and adults. Many adults who collected cards as children maintained fond nostalgia for mini card designs they grew up with. The affordability, detail, and portability of mini cards sustained their popularity as a key part of the trading card landscape during the peak eras of the hobby in the 1970s-80s. Mini cards began declining in parallel with the entire trading card industry throughout the 1990s.

As collecting habits shifted away from cards and toward other hobbies in the late 20th century, mini cards soon disappeared from new production. The collectible sports card market consolidated around high-value vintage issues and inserts featuring current superstars rather than affordable kid-oriented sets. By the early 2000s, mini cards were essentially extinct as a commercially produced product although vintage mini cards from the 1960s-80s maintained strong nostalgia value among older collectors.

In recent years, mini cards have seen something of a niche resurgence. Online auction sites are full of bids for complete vintage mini card sets in excellent condition which can fetch prices many times their original retail cost. The compact and detailed nature of mini cards remains alluring to collectors who appreciate intricate small-scale reproductions of cards from the past.

Occasionally modern custom or parallel mini card sets are produced as well by independent artists or companies in limited runs. Meanwhile, many trading card companies today offer downsized “pocket size” or “traditional size” cards as alternatives to standard-sized modern issues. In these ways, mini baseball cards live on as a collectible inspired by the enduring appeal of their 1960s-80s golden age when miniature card sets were a ubiquitous part of the youth hobby landscape. Mini cards remain a unique niche within the broader collecting world appreciating vintage cardboard artistry and nostalgia on a petite scale.

TOPPS MINI BASEBALL CARDS 1987

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Topps Mini Baseball Cards 1987

The 1987 Topps mini baseball card set was a landmark release that helped further expand the collectors market and bring in new fans, especially younger children. Issued as a smaller, more affordable alternative to Topps’ standard sized cards, the minis stood out with their innovative photographic design that highlighted the players up close. Featuring 100 total cards of MLB stars from the previous 1986 season, the 1987 Topps mini set broke new ground and remains a highly desirable vintage card collection today.

At just 2 1/8 inches by 3 1/4 inches, the mini cards were less than half the size of a standard baseball card. However, Topps didn’t cut any corners when it came to the quality and content within the smaller package. Each mini card featured a large centered action photo of a player, with their name and team underneath in bold printed text. Statistics from the ’86 season like batting average, home runs, and RBI were included on the reverse along with a short blurb about the player. By condensing all the key details onto a smaller platform, Topps created cards that were more displayable and kid-friendly.

Some notable stars featured in the full 100 card 1987 Topps mini baseball set included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Gary Carter, Rickey Henderson, and Ryne Sandberg. Rougned Odor, currently of the New York Yankees, was also included as a rookie card at age 15 after playing in just 9 MLB games in 1986 for the Texas Rangers. The minis captured these talented ballplayers through vivid action photography, close up headshots, or even posed portraits that brought each player’s personality to the compact size.

In addition to current stars, the 1987 Topps mini set paid homage to baseball history with retired greats of the past. Legends like Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Sandy Koufax, and Reggie Jackson each received their own mini card, commemorating their illustrious MLB careers even after hanging up their cleats. For younger collectors just getting into the hobby, these retired players helped connect them to the rich tradition of the game prior to their own fandom.

The visually compelling photography set the 1987 Topps mini cards apart from other releases at the time. While most standard sized cards opted for a simple headshot of the player, the mini format allowed Topps to experiment more boldly with different photographic angles, poses, and dynamic action shots. Some cards caught players swinging, sliding, or leaping dramatically for catches – transporting the young collector right onto the baseball diamond through the lively miniature images. The photographic innovation of the 1987 Topps mini set set a precedent that helped make the cardboard collectibles feel more like snapshots from an MLB game.

In terms of condition and grading scales, the smaller size of the 1987 Topps mini baseball cards presents both advantages and disadvantages compared to standard card collecting. On one hand, the minis were less than half as large as regular cards, making them less prone to creases, scratches or other edge damage over time that can degrade card condition grades. Printing defects like centering issues, color breaks or crimps were also more noticeable against the tiny canvas of a mini card front. Still, high grade 1987 Topps mini examples in pristine Near Mint or better condition can be found in collector’s hands today and carry significant value.

When first released in 1987, the Topps mini baseball cards retailed for $1 per wax pack which contained 10 mini cards in a plastic sleeve. This lower price of entry brought in many younger and newer collectors to build complete mini sets where a full standard size Topps set may have been out of reach. The ’87 Topps minis are also credited with being one of the key releases that helped reignite baseball card collecting as both a mainstream hobby and lucrative investment opportunity in the late 1980s and 1990s. Today complete 1987 Topps mini baseball sets in pristine condition can sell for over $1,000, showcasing their enduring collector appeal and nostalgia value decades later.

Even at their tinier size, the 1987 Topps mini baseball cards left an outsized impact on the collecting world. Their classic headshots and action photography coupled with legends of the game still pops off the cardboard some 35 years later. The minis paved the way for future specialized subsets and variations to continually attract new collector demographics. For many, ripping open a pack of these classic 1987 mini cards can instantly transport them back to their childhood summer afternoons rooting for home runs at the ballpark. Whether chasing high grades or set completion, the 1987 Topps mini baseball release remains a true vintage gem for collectors of all ages.

86 TOPPS MINI BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1986 Topps mini baseball card set was a unique release from Topps that year as it featured smaller versions of the regular 1986 Topps baseball cards. The minis measured approximately 1 3/8 inches by 2 1/8 inches, making them less than half the size of a standard trading card from that era. Despite their diminutive dimensions, the 1986 Topps mini cards managed to pack in the same colorful photography and player details found on the full-sized set. The minis have developed a strong cult following among collectors in the decades since their original release due to their novel size and nostalgia for 1980s baseball card designs.

Topps had previously experimented with smaller card formats in the 1970s with subsets like the 1972 Mini cards and 1974 Mini Leaders cards. The 1986 issue was the first time the company released a true parallel set to the standard cards in miniature form. The minis were sold in wax packs just like the regular cards and featured the same 660-card checklist spanning all 26 major league teams from that season. Some of the biggest stars featured included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, and Don Mattingly. Rosters were accurate as of the start of the 1986 season.

In terms of design and production values, the 1986 Topps minis were essentially shrunken replicas of the full-sized cards from that year. They utilized the same team-colored borders and action photography found on the standard issue. Player names, positions, and teams were clearly printed along the bottom edge in a condensed font size. Card numbers were also reduced but still legible in the bottom corner. The minis even carried over many of the oddball promotional or team leader subset designs released within the ’86 set. They provided an authentic miniature baseball card experience for young collectors on a budget.

While smaller in stature, the quality of the photos and reproduction held up remarkably well given the scale. Topps employed a multi-color lithographic printing process to bring the crisp team colors and images to such a tiny canvas. Registration was sharp with no bleeding or fuzzy details typically associated with reduced sizing. The thinner cardboard stock was also more prone to bends and creases versus a full-sized card but held up fairly well considering the fragile nature of mini cards. Topps’ production values ensured the minis captured the visual pop and charm of their larger brethren.

Upon release in 1986, the minis sold briskly on newsstands and in hobby shops alongside packs of the standard issue. Their pocket-sized portability made them an attractive option for young collectors with limited funds or storage space. The minis retailed for about half the price per pack compared to the regular cards but still offered the excitement of the hobby at a smaller scale. They proved popular enough that Topps would reprise the mini format for several subsequent years, including 1987, 1988, and 1989.

For collectors today, 1986 Topps mini cards remain a unique and desirable subset over 35 years later. Their scarcity and nostalgia factor have boosted values far above their original retail prices. Common players can still be acquired for just a few dollars, but stars are increasingly difficult to find in high grade for under $10-20 per card. Their Lilliputian size also makes them a fun challenge to safely handle and display. Many enthusiasts enjoy building full mini sets in dedicated mini-sized pages or showcasing their favorite stars in protective magnetic holders. Periodically, unopened wax packs of 1986 Topps minis also surface on auction sites commanding premium prices.

As the hobby has boomed with new generations of collectors, appreciation has grown for innovative vintage issues like the 1986 Topps minis that push the boundaries of traditional card design. Their perfectly scaled photography, sharp reproduction quality, and connection to 1980s baseball have resonated strongly with collectors seeking unique vintage pieces. The minis also hold nostalgic appeal for anyone who ripped packs as a kid seeking the thrill of the hobby on a budget. Over 35 years later, the 1986 Topps mini baseball cards remain a celebrated niche within the vintage collecting community for their novel size, production quality, and ties to the pastime.

The 1986 Topps mini baseball cards were a pioneering smaller format release that shrank the visual experience of the full-sized set while retaining impressive production values. They proved a popular affordable option for young collectors and have since developed a devoted cult following for their novel size, connection to 1980s baseball, and increasing scarcity. The minis demonstrated that high quality reproduction was possible at a miniature scale, paving the way for future similar subsets. Over three decades later, the 1986 Topps minis continue to be celebrated as an innovative vintage issue among collectors.

TOPPS MINI BASEBALL CARDS 2022

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Topps mini baseball cards have grown tremendously in popularity in recent years among collectors both young and old. The smaller sized cards offer a fun and affordable way for fans to collect all of their favorite current MLB players.

Topps has been producing their mini baseball card sets since 1988. The cards are approximately 60% smaller than standard sized baseball cards, measuring around 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This smaller size makes them ideal for collectors looking to amass complete sets inexpensively or for those with limited storage space.

For the 2022 season, Topps is releasing several different mini baseball card products showcasing the latest stars from all 30 MLB teams. Here’s a breakdown of the major mini card releases collectors can look forward to:

Topps Base Mini Cards

As always, the flagship Topps Base Mini Cards set will feature cards celebrating the top players from each franchise. The 2022 version includes 188 total cards split into 22 packet configurations. Some of the most prized rookie cards collectors will search for include Torkelson, Witt Jr. and Rodriguez among many others. The mini base set remains a fun and accessible way for any fan to build a collection representing the entire league.

Topps Fire Mini Cards

Introduced in 2021, Topps Fire is getting its own mini card variant for 2022. Topps Fire mini cards feature vivid animated graphics and fiery aesthetic designs on each card front. The 2022 Fire mini set contains 88 total cards split between 4 designs. This set is sure to appeal to collectors looking to add some visual excitement to their mini collections. Popular rookies and stars like Ohtani, Acuña Jr. and Bellinger will all have special Fire mini renditions.

Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Cards

For the heritage and novelty card fan, Topps Allen & Ginter mini cards return in 2022. True to the original A&G set concept, these mini cards mix baseball players with historical figures, landscapes and other non-sports personalities. With 144 total cards divided into 12 designs, these quirky mini cards offer a fun departure from traditional baseball focused sets.

Topps Series 1, 2 Mini Cards

Topps Series 1 and 2 always provide fans the first chance each year to add new players and rookie talents to their collections. Naturally, Topps has mini card versions lined up too. Series 1 Mini cards number 198 cards while Series 2 comes in at 165 cards – this gives collectors even more opportunities to find their favorite rising MLB stars shrunken down to mini size. Popular new rookie cards to watch for include Brujan, Lodolo, Padlo and Adley Rutschman among the new 2022 debuts.

Topps Opening Day Mini Cards

Another set baseball fans eagerly await each spring is Topps Opening Day. To celebrate the return of America’s pastime, Topps releases mini card parallels for this as well. The 2022 Opening Day Mini set contains 60 cards focused solely on each team’s projected starting lineup for opening day ceremonies. It’s a fun nod to the excitement of a new MLB season commencing.

Topps Big League Mini Cards

For those seeking an even bigger checklist of 2022 MLB roster stars and standouts, Topps Big League Mini cards include an extensive 336 card checklist. This massive offering provides mini card aficionados an impressively complete collection representing the entire league in a smaller sized format. Big names from all 30 clubs are included, making it an ideal anchor collection for any mini card PC builder.

In addition to these primary mini card products, Topps also frequently includes mini parallels inserts of major stars in flagship standard sized sets like Topps Series 1 & 2, Chrome, Update and High Tek. This allows mini fans to collect serial numbered refractors, sepia, negative and other chase variants of their favorite players too.

While mini cards used to be seen as solely for kids or beginner collectors, their popularity has skyrocketed among adults in recent years too. Completing full sets in mini format provides a fun and challenging new collecting goal compared to standard sized cards. For many, mini cards also invoke nostalgic memories of first getting hooked on the hobby as young baseball fans.

Whether being assembled in full sets, team collections or player specific mini PCs – Topps mini baseball cards remain one of the most accessible and enjoyable products in the entire MLB memorabilia category. With such an array of affordable options coming in 2022, there’s surely a perfect mini collection opportunity for any baseball fan looking to get their fix of cardboard in a compact package. Mini cards may be reduced in stature compared to full sized relics and autographs, but their status as a staple of the hobby shows no signs of shrinking.

1987 FLEER MINI BASEBALL CARDS PRICING

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The 1987 Fleer Mini baseball card set was unique in the hobby for its smaller size compared to traditional trading cards. Measuring just 2 inches by 2.5 inches, the minis featured the same horizontal card design as regular Fleer issues of the era but were dubbed “mini-cards” due to their significantly smaller dimensions. While not as iconic or popular amongst collectors as full-sized issues from the same year, the 1987 Fleer Minis have developed a cult following of their own and prices for the 168-card checklist have steadily risen in recent years.

Released at the tail end of the baseball card boom of the 1980s, the 1987 Fleer Minis retailed for $1.49 per package which contained 16 cards and 1 sticker. Despite the lower cost compared to wax packs holding full-sized cards, the mini size proved a novelty and the set sold reasonably well upon issue. Lacking the flashy photography and bold color schemes of competing brands like Topps and Donruss that year, the Minis never achieved the same mainstream popularity. Coupled with the smaller card size making them less suitable for storage and play in penny sleeves and toploaders, the 1987 Fleer Minis were overlooked by many collectors at the time in favor of their standard counterparts.

Initial disinterest meant production numbers for the mini cards far exceeded demand after release. With abundant unchecked supplies entering the collecting marketplace for decades after, common cards from the set traded for just pennies apiece. Even key rookie and star cards from the checklist like Bo Jackson, Will Clark and Mark McGwire lingered around the $1-2 range ungraded for years. A perfect storm of factors has conspired over the past 5-10 years to greatly increase values across the 1987 Fleer Mini checklist.

As the generation that collected cards in the 1980s hit their peak earning potential and downsized collections, nostalgia has driven more focus onto oddball and peculiar vintage issues like the minis. Expanded exposure through sports card databases, auction sites and social media has shone a light on previously obscure sets. Diminished unchecked supplies as many of these cards have since been collected off the market has exerted upward pressure on prices as well. A thriving graded population has added documentation of condition and scarcity to valuable specimens through services like PSA and BGS.

Of course, none of this would mean as much without elite stars and important rookie cards within the checklist to drive collector demand. Major keys command the biggest premiums and 1987 Fleer Minis feature two of the most iconic rookies in the hobby’s history – Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire. A PSA 10 Griffey Jr. mini fetched $1,250 in a recent auction, evidence of its increasing rarity and significance. Even a PSA 9 brings over $500 due to Griffey’s all-time great career and lasting popularity amongst collectors. Likewise, a PSA 10 McGwire mini surpassed $600 with a grade 9 reaching close to $300. Both rookies are among the toughest pulls from the set in pristine condition after over 30 years.

Aside from star rookies, premiums apply to other prolific players as well. A PSA 10 Bo Jackson mini recently sold for nearly $400 given his short but sensational career. Other key Hall of Famers like Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson and Ozzie Smith typically run $50-150 for top grades while $10-30 is common even for mid-grade examples. Superstar prospects like Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield and Roger Clemens demand $25-75 each in PSA 8-9. Even longtime stars with less flashy names like Tim Raines, Bert Blyleven and Jim Rice can pull $15-40 a piece for pristine specimens in top holders.

Beyond the premium stars and rookies, most common players from the 1987 Fleer Mini checklist today reside in the $1-10 raw range depending on condition, with more scarcer players like Jose Canseco, Mark Langston and Kevin Mitchell occupying the $5-15 zone. There remains upside potential as graded populations remain relatively modest compared to larger 1980s flagship sets. With vintage collecting always evolving and prices constantly in flux, even a raw common mini in solid shape could appreciate over longer time horizons; though graded gems fetch the most substantial returns currently.

As one of the more unique, smaller issues from the last gasp of the 1980s card boom, the 1987 Fleer Mini baseball card set has undergone a renaissance in popularity and become a true cult classic. Once overlooked for their mini size which deterred both play and long-term preservation, renewed focus and the march of time itself have combined to greatly improve values and collector appreciation. From franchise stars to formative prospects, premier specimens with impeccable preservation continue to trade hands at prices indicative of this set’s growing significance to vintage collecting. Though just a tiny snapshot of 1980s cardboard compared to standard issues, the 1987 Fleer Minis are big in nostalgia and increasingly command outsized returns reflective of their sought-after scarcity within the collecting community.