The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most unique issues in the company’s long history due to its small card size. Up until 1987, Topps had standardized on a 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch “standard” baseball card size that had been in use since 1951. Citing a need to cut costs, Topps made the drastic decision to shrink the size of its 1987 baseball cards down to a postage stamp-like 1 5/8 by 2 1/4 inches.

While the smaller size was met with widespread backlash from collectors at the time, it has come to be appreciated as one of the more novel designs in recent decades. The reduced card dimensions forced Topps to remove all white borders and squeeze stunning action photos along with player stats and team logos into an incredibly tight space. This resulted in an extremely eye-catching and immersive overall visual presentation even if individual details were harder to see.

Part of what makes the 1987 Topps set so interesting is the wide range of reactions and discussions it has spawned over the decades since its release. While most collectors at the time were frustrated by the smaller card size, others came to appreciate Topps’ push for creativity within tight constraints. Subsequently, the 1987s have developed a strong cult following among collectors who love the ingenious designs and challenge of fitting so much information into a tiny canvas.

There were also valid practical criticisms of the 1987 design. Most notably, the extremely small typefaces and tightly packed stats/text made the cards difficult or impossible for younger collectors with poorer eyesight to read. This likely impacted the set’s popularity among child collectors at the time. The smaller size made the cards prone to more bending, creasing, and wear-and-tear over time which hurts condition. This has caused many surviving 1987 Topps cards to grade more poorly compared to other mid-80s issues.

From a statistical standpoint, the 1987 Topps set includes cards featuring some of the biggest stars in baseball at the time such as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, and Dwight Gooden. The size lends an added uniqueness when viewing rookie cards of future Hall of Famers such as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Iconic stars in the twilight of their careers like Reggie Jackson and Steve Carlton also received cards, capitalizing on their continued popularity.

The front design schematic used on the 1987s was fairly basic but effective – focusing a bright solid color team border around a stark black-and-white action photo. Statistics were listed cleanly in the bottom black area. The backs featured career stats and a brief bio. Gum or wrapper cards from subsets like Traded and Record Breakers provided interesting photographic variety within the constraints. The minute size necessitated simplicity over more elaborate graphical treatments.

While initially a source of frustration, the 1987 Topps small card factor has proven part of their enduring interest and appeal amongst collectors today. Their pocket-sized stature makes for an engaging nostalgia-inducing novelty. Combined with the tight photographic compositions and minimalist designs, they set the standard for creativity within limitations. Values remain strong for star rookies and commons are easily obtainable to complete the unique set. Nearly 35 years later, the 1987s stand out as one of Topps’ most divergent yet memorable annual issues.

The 1986 Topps baseball card set is a historic issue known for introducing the modern mini card format still used today. Prior to 1986, Topps baseball cards had maintained the standard 3.5 x 2.5 inch size that became popular in the 1950s. Faced with declining card sales through the 1980s, Topps made the bold move to significantly downsize card dimensions for the 1986 series in an effort to cut production costs.

The resulting 1986 Topps baseball cards measured just 2.5 x 3.5 inches, a full inch shorter in height compared to previous years. While a smaller size was necessitated by business realities, it proved highly controversial among collectors at the time. Shrinking the cards’ footprint by nearly 25% understandably upset longtime fans accustomed to the larger standard size cards. There were also concerns that information and photos on the smaller 1986 cards would be harder to see.

Reducing the physical card dimensions allowed Topps to print more on a sheet during production. This lowered per card expenses and helped Topps remain competitive against upstart brands entering the baseball card market. The miniature 1986 Topps size ultimately caught on with collectors and became the new norm, remaining the industry standard even today outside of special oversized issues. And for many younger collectors in the 1980s, the 1986 cards were their first experience with the hobby and so they considered the mini size traditional.

From a collector’s standpoint, the 1986 Topps set introduced several notable firsts. At 529 total cards, it was the largest Topps baseball release to that date. For the first time, wax factory set cards included stats and career highlights on the reverse. Glossy photo fronts also became the new standard going forward versus the previous matte finish. Roster and record turnovers resulted in many new faces as well, reflecting the ever-changing nature of Major League Baseball from year to year.

Some memorable rookie cards debuted in the 1986 Topps set. Most notably, slugging outfielder Barry Bonds made his first card appearance at the start of his breakout 12 home run season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Other top prospects like Lenny Dykstra and Wally Joyner also appeared as rookies in 1986 Topps. Established young stars like Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett, and Wade Boggs hit their athletic primes in the mid-1980s as well, being featured prominently in the 1986 issue.

Possibly the most iconic card from the 1986 Topps baseball series is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie. Widely considered one of if not the most desirable modern rookie card in existence, the sheer rarity of high grade Griffey rookies has pushed PSA/BGS 10 Gem Mint copies over the $100k price point at auction. Even well-worn copies still trade hands for thousands due to Griffey’s legendary playing career and status as a fan favorite. His 1986 Topps RC is undoubtedly the crown jewel pull for collectors to this day.

Various special sets and promotional issues were also released to complement the 1986 Topps base set. Insert cards spotlighted Topps All-Star Rookies and the T205 tobacco card reprint design. Miniature card sets in vending machines targeted younger collectors. International distribuon included English back variations. And fans could earn cards through the Topps Tracers mail-in offer in store displays.

While smaller in dimensions than previous decades, the 1986 Topps baseball cards truly marked the ‘turning point’ when the modern mini card format was established. Sales stabilized for Topps. But more importantly, a whole new generation was introduced to the vintage hobby through these iconic 1980s issues. Even after 35 years, the flashy 1986 designs and noteworthy rookie debuts continue to entice collectors and drive demand in the marketplace. The 1986 Topps baseball card set undeniably left an indelible mark on the entire sportscard industry.

In 1989, Topps decided to experiment with a smaller baseball card size known as the minis or smalls series. At just under 2 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall, these small cards were meant to capture the nostalgia of the vintage tobacco era cards while providing a different collecting experience compared to the standard size cards of the time. While not hugely popular upon release, the 1989 Topps smalls have developed a cult following in the decades since for their unique size, visual aesthetic, and historical significance as one of the rare instances Topps strayed from their standard card dimensions.

The 1989 Topps smalls marked the third time Topps had released a subset in a different size, after 1948 Topps Magic and 1951 Topps Hobby. Previous examples were still larger than a standard trading card. The 1989 minis truly shrunk the footprint of a baseball card down to a miniature scale. This miniaturization posed challenges for Topps designers and production teams of the time who had to reimagine how card stats, imagery, and branding could fit into such a confined space. Through experimentation, they landed on a clean and simple two-tone design with player photos dominating much of the real estate.

Inside the minis series were 660 total cards covering all 26 MLB teams from 1988. While not a complete set like Topps flagship issues that season, it did include major stars of the era like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Nolan Ryan, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens. Rated rookies like Gregg Olson also got the mini treatment. The front of each card showed the player in action or posed individually. On the back was a stats recap and a sentence or two of career highlights. Unlike larger vintage sets from the same year, no gum was included.

When first released in 1989, the minis were seen as a novelty by most collectors who were accustomed to the standard Topps card sizes. They also lacked the competitive allure and affordability of the larger flagship and Traded sets released at the same time. As a result, the smalls were overlooked and many examples ended up in bargain bins or flea markets in the late 80s/early 90s. It wasn’t until the baseball card vintage boom of the mid-1990s that people began to rediscover and appreciate the minis for their nostalgic, bite-sized charm compared to the inflated card multi-packs of the era.

Prices for 1989 Topps smalls today range dramatically depending on the player and condition. Common ungraded examples in played condition generally sell in the $1-5 range. Top rookie cards like Gregg Olson have increased in value to $15-25 due to his popularity and the scarcity of the minis overall. Graded examples of stars command considerable premiums – a PSA 10 Ozzie Smith recently sold for over $150. The scarcest cards like Nolan Ryan graded mint can reach well into the triple digits. While not as iconic or valuable as flagship issues from the same year, the minis fulfill a niche collecting market for those who enjoy the miniature dimensions and visual aesthetic of late 1980s Topps design crammed into a postage stamp-sized package.

As one of the smallest card sets ever issued by Topps, the 1989 smalls hold an unusual place in the history of the company and the hobby. They were an experiment that was ahead of its time, attempting a fun, shareable card format that wouldn’t see mass adoption until future tech like smartphones. While largely forgotten upon initial release, the minis have developed a cult following among vintage baseball collectors who appreciate their novelty, attention to detail considering the size constraints, and historical significance in Topps’ eight decade run as the dominant baseball card maker. As the years pass, interest and values seem likely to gradually increase as these bite-sized pieces of 80s cardboard continue to charm new collectors with their nostalgic charm.

The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most unique issues in the long history of the Topps brand. What made the 1990 set stand out was its use of smaller card dimensions compared to previous years. At 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, the 1990 Topps cards were noticeably smaller than the standard 2 5/8 inch by 3 5/8 inch size Topps had utilized for decades.

When designing the 1990 set, Topps executives decided to try something new by downsizing the physical card stock. Some of the motivations for going smaller included using less cardboard material to help lower production costs and also fitting more cards in wax pack boxes to increase the excitement of the collector experience. The switch to smaller cards was a bold gamble that not all fans welcomed with open arms.

Upon the initial release of Series 1 in late March/early April 1990, there was a fair amount of criticism from collectors who felt the miniature cards just didn’t have the same appeal or satisfaction of handling the larger standard size. Rumors even circulated that the smaller dimension was a cost-cutting measure due to the company facing financial troubles, though Topps denied this was the primary motivation.

While resistance to the downsized cards was vocal in the early going, collectors gradually warmed up to the 1990 Topps set over the course of the season. Perhaps realizing the new size was here to stay, fans made the best of it by enjoying the creative photographic designs and plenty of star talents spotlighted within the 660-card checklist. With exciting rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Gregg Maddux and Frank Thomas also included, the interest level remained high despite the unprecedented size changeover.

Given the smaller surface area to work with per card, Topps photographers and designers had to find creative solutions for framing and spacing out all the elements that make up a standard baseball card. Close-up headshots replaced more full body poses of players. Statistical info, team logos and card backs were more condensed. Background colors transitioned from vibrant shades to lighter, neutral hues to avoid things appearing too busy or crowded on the postage stamp-sized stock.

While rookies, stars and key action shots carried over similarly to prior years, the downsized format surprisingly allowed for some new design flourishes as well. Players were featured individuallyfront and center more than before. Parallel horizontal bars framing the image, stats and text boxes provided visual separation that maintained clarity despite the tighter real estate. As collectors adjusted, many realized Topps had made the miniature cards work better than one might expect given the challenge.

Another factor helping endear fans to the smaller card crusade was the sheer excitement of opening fresh wax packs. With 124 cards instead of the usual 110 found in a Series 1 box, the potential for finding stars or short prints multiplied significantly. The frequency of dupes also increased, fueling trading activity between collectors. It’s likely the extra cards and associated chase kept interest levels up even as collectors griped about wishes for a return to standard size.

Beyond the domestic English language set, Topps’ international division went smaller as well for 1990. Issues produced for fans in Latin America, Asia, Europe and elsewhere mimicked the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 size transition stateside. Even specialty subsets honoring league leaders, All-Stars and the postseason adopted the mini dimensions. Only Topps Traded, which came out later in the year, reverted to the classic 2 5/8 x 3 5/8 measurement that collectors had known for decades.

When all was said and done, while the small cards were a major shock to the system initially, most collectors warmed up to them by the end of the 1990 baseball season. As a one-year experiment, the switch helped bring needed attention and excitement back to the flagship Topps brand during a time when competition was intensifying from resurgent rivals like Score and Studio. The sheer variety of parallel sets, inserts and special chase cards packed into the innovative pint-sized boards ensured strong sales and collector engagement despite the unorthodox presentation.

Although opinions vary on whether the 1990 Topps cards have held their nostalgic appeal as finely over the decades compared to larger issues, their place in hobby history is undeniable. As a bold attempt at shaking things up that actually helped reinvigorate the collection and trading aspect for a summer, they stand out as one of the most interesting annual sets ever assembled. Three decades later, the miniature baseball cards of 1990 continue stimulating discussion among fans about adaptation, creativity and thinking outside the box during baseball’s golden age of cardboard collecting. Their small but mighty impact lives on.

The 1988 Topps baseball card set marked a significant change from previous years by featuring smaller card dimensions. At 2-5/8 inches by 3-5/8 inches, the 1988 Topps cards were smaller than the standard baseball card size that had been the norm for decades. This new smaller size was not universally popular among collectors at the time of its release but would become the standard dimensions for baseball cards going forward.

The shift to smaller cards was likely a cost-saving measure for Topps amidst increased competition in the late 1980s from rival card manufacturers like Fleer and Donruss. Producing smaller cards allowed for greater card yields per sheet during the printing process, thus lowering costs. It also differentiated Topps from their competitors who still used the traditional larger size in 1988. Some collectors grew to dislike the smaller cards, finding them harder to grip and view card details and statistics.

Despite the new dimensions, the 1988 Topps set retained the same general design elements that had come to define Topps baseball cards through the 1980s. Each card featured a centered vertical player photo with the team logo appearing above and the player’s name, position, and team name below. The back of the card contained the player’s biography along with career statistics. Some notable rookie cards featured in the 1988 Topps set included Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, and Ozzie Smith’s final rookie card appearing after his breakout 1987 season.

The 1988 Topps set totaled 792 cards as was standard for sets of that era. The base card design was used for all commons with serially numbered cards appearing for stars and key rookies. Some of the more valuable serially numbered cards that originated in the 1988 Topps issue and are highly collected today include #1 Mike Schmidt, #250 Ozzie Smith rookie, #500 Joe Carter, and #700 Mark McGwire rookie. Other stars prominently featured in photographer and pose variations included Dwight Gooden, Kirby Puckett, and Don Mattingly who graced the very aesthetically pleasing Tiffany foil parallel subset cards.

The Tiffany subset showed blue borders for the cards and was numbered from 1T to 30T paralleling the base set numbering. These harder to find foil cards command significant premiums today. Another popular parallel was the “O-Pee-Chee” Canadian-produced issue that was nearly identical to the Topps set but printed in Canada for distribution north of the border. While smaller in size, Topps still managed to showcase memorable photography and creative poses throughout the 1988 set that allowed fans to connect with their favorite players.

One landmark card from 1988 was #1 Mike Schmidt’s seemingly understated yet poignant farewell appearance as he closed his Hall of Fame career. As the cover athlete and flagship player of the set after a brilliant 22-year Phillies tenure, Schmidt’s final card issued was a singular moment celebrated by collectors then as a tribute and preserved today as a keepsake. Schmidt’s retirement brought an end to an era and that first card is a snapshot commemorating one of baseball’s greatest third baseman.

While production advances like smaller size were always aimed at cutting costs, Topps also found room in the 1988 set for creative promotional tie-ins. Inserts included wrappers from Topps’ storied bubble gum product displayed within the card design. There were also Team Collector album inserts showing rosters for each MLB franchise. And true to their name, the “Traded” subset documented offseason player movement by reflecting new uniforms, adding to the real-time fantasy of following rosters. These fun additional cards kept young collectors engaged through the many checklist-style chase elements.

When the 1988 Topps cards first hit the hobby landscape, their new size did not go over entirely well and prompted some criticism from purists who favored the standard larger baseball card dimensions. But Topps prevailed in setting the industry standard and the smaller card became the norm. Nearly 35 years later, enthusiasm for classic 1980s Topps issues endures and 1988 remains as a snapshot frozen in time, capturing that decade’s stars amidst changing collectibles trends. Its historic shift in sizing combined with renowned photography and subject matter secure 1988 Topps a memorable place among vintage baseball card releases.