The 1990 Topps baseball card set remains a popular and collectible set from the late 1980s/early 1990s era. The set features 792 total cards including base cards, rookie cards, stars, future Hall of Famers, and a variety of unique inserts. While not as iconic or valuable as sets from the late 1950s or early 1960s, there are still many desirable and valuable cards to be found in the 1990 Topps set. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies, stars and other notables from the set and explore what their card values have been in recent years.

One of the biggest stories from the 1990 Topps set was the rookie card debut of future all-time hits leader Pete Rose Jr. as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. While Pete Rose Jr. did not have the career of his father “Charlie Hustle”, his rookie card #1 remains one of the key cards from the set due to the name recognition. In near mint to mint condition, Pete Rose Jr.’s rookie card has sold for over $100 on auction sites like eBay in recent years.

Another hype rookie card debut was Ken Griffey Jr’s first Topps card as a Seattle Mariner. Griffey would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his early Topps rookie cards, including the 1990, are highly sought after by collectors both for investment and nostalgia purposes. A Griffey Jr. 1990 rookie in gem mint condition could fetch over $150-200 today.

Other notable rookie cards include Bernie Williams, Edgar Martinez, Derek Jeter, Brady Anderson, and Chipper Jones. Jeter’s and Griffey’s rookies are usually the most valuable fetching $50-100+ in top grades while the others can bring $10-50 depending on condition.

Some of the superstar veterans from the set that command higher prices include Nolan Ryan (#181), Cal Ripken Jr. (#225), Wade Boggs (#249), Ozzie Smith (#302), Kirby Puckett (#358), and Roger Clemens (#477) just to name a few. These stars in mint condition typically sell in the $10-50 range today.

A fun and valuable subset from the 1990 Topps set is the All-Star Cards insert which featured 25 players in All-Star uniforms on colored foil-like cardboard. Short prints like the Don Mattingly (card #685) and the Ryne Sandberg (card #689) regularly sell in the $50-100 range while the Ken Griffey Jr. (#687) has sold for over $150 in top grades.

The Ted Williams tribute card (#1) remains a true gem from the 1990 Topps archives. Featuring one of the game’s all-time greats in his final season with the Boston Red Sox, the Ted Williams card pays homage to the Splendid Splinter. In pristine mint condition, the Williams tribute card has sold for upwards of $250 proving its place as one of the real crown jewels of the entire 792 card checklist.

While the late 1980s/early 1990s may not command ultra high prices compared to the true vintage 1950s/60s era, the 1990 Topps set still houses some real value-filled gems over 30 years later. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Jeter, and Chipper Jones will likely always be in high demand. Meanwhile, stars of the era like Ripken, Boggs, Ryan, and Smith continue to hold nostalgic value for collectors of that time period. For those looking to add some classic cards to their collection or make a worthwhile investment, the 1990 Topps baseball set remains a great vintage option.

The 1960 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the early years of modern baseball cards. With its simple yet classic design featuring headshots of players on a white background, the 1960 Topps set helped establish the template that Topps would follow for decades. Over the years, as the vintage baseball card market has boomed, values of cards from the 1960 set have increased substantially for the most desirable rookie and star players.

The 1960 Topps set contains 520 cards and was the 17th series of baseball cards produced by Topps since entering the market in 1951. Some key things to know about 1960 Topps values include:

Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers typically demand the highest prices, as they were produced in very low print runs. The rookie cards of future stars like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver can be worth thousands in top grade.

Star players who were in the prime of their careers in 1960 also have valuable cards, especially in high grades. An mint condition Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays can be worth well over $1000.

Top rookie cards include Reggie Jackson (Baltimore Orioles), Tom Seaver (Los Angeles Dodgers), and Nolan Ryan (New York Mets). All were printed in runs under 10,000 and have increased greatly in value over the decades.

Other top rookie cards include Dick Allen (Philadelphia Phillies), Don Drysdale (Los Angeles Dodgers), and Luis Aparicio (Chicago White Sox). These had runs around 20,000-30,000 and also carry premiums due to their status.

Beyond the rookies, superstar cards of Mantle, Mays, Hank Aaron, and others consistently rank among the most valuable in the set. High grade examples can reach five figures.

Team and player parallel subsets like the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees also have inflated values compared to standard issue cards due to their lower print runs.

Common stars and veterans have seen values increase as well over the years, but usually max out in the low hundreds for top conditioned copies.

Lower tier and common players may only be worth a few dollars even in mint condition. But they are still desirable vintage pieces for collectors.

To determine a card’s grade and value, there are a few key attributes to examine:

Centering – How perfectly centered the image is within the border. Off-center cards lose significant value.

Corners – Rounded or sharp corners impact grade. Creased or folded corners drastically reduce value.

Edges – Dinged, chipped or damaged edges lower the grade.

Surface – Look for scratches, stains, printing flaws or wear on the surface. A flawless surface receives the best grades.

GEM MT 10 is the pinnacle grade, indicating a flawless and perfectly cut card. These can be worth thousands even for common players.

Grades of 8-9 still qualify as mint, while 7 is near mint. Anything 6 and below is considered played/used condition.

Professional grading from services like PSA or BGS adds authenticity and universal standards for condition assessment.

To give you an idea of current values, here are ballpark estimates in top PSA/BGS grades for some key 1960 Topps cards:

Reggie Jackson RC: $8,000-$15,000
Tom Seaver RC: $6,000-$12,000
Nolan Ryan RC: $4,000-$8,000
Dick Allen RC: $2,000-$4,000
Don Drysdale RC: $1,500-$3,000
Luis Aparicio RC: $1,200-$2,500
Mickey Mantle: $2,000-$5,000
Willie Mays: $1,500-$3,500
Hank Aaron: $800-$1,500
Dodgers parallel: $400-$800
Giants parallel: $300-$600
Yankees parallel: $250-$500

As one of the most collectible vintage sets, 1960 Topps values will likely continue their steady rise alongside growing interest in the hobby. With just a few highly desired rookie cards and stars accounting for the bulk of the premium value, it’s a perfect set for targeted collecting at various budget levels.

The 1957 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and sought after amongst collectors. Coming out just a few years after the historic rookie card years of the early 1950s that featured legends like Mickey Mantle, the 1957 set had many budding stars on the rise and veterans still in their prime. Understood the peak vintage era for baseball cards, the 1957 Topps cards have maintained strong collector demand and value over the decades.

Some key details on the 1957 Topps baseball card set that impact the values of the individual cards include it being the 18th series issued by Topps after taking over the baseball card market. It contains 262 total cards including player cards and postal inserts. The design and layout featured a photo of the player along with their statistics and team from the prior 1956 season on a pink/tan colored cardboard stock. On the bottom front it lists the player’s full name, team, and position in black text. On the back it details more career stats without any additional writing or advertisements.

Rookie cards remain highly sought after from any vintage set and 1957 Topps had its fair share of future Hall of Famers. Perhaps the most valuable from the set is the Mickey Mantle rookie card which is already an iconic piece of sports memorabilia itself. In pristine Near Mint condition, the Mantle rookie has sold for over $2 million breaking records. While that type ofCondition is extremely rare, even well-worn copies still demand five figures. Other notable rookie cards include Billy Williams, Bill White, Don Drysdale, Nellie Fox, and Harvey Kuenn.

Beyond the rookies, superstar veterans and HOFers dominate the high-dollar cards in the 1957 Topps set. The durable Frank Robinson consistently ranks among the most valuable in the set. High grades of his card have reached upwards of $50,000. The Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax cards are also considered blue-chip investments grading well into four figures. Pitching legendsWarren Spahn, Early Wynn, and Whitey Ford along with sluggers Roberto Clemente, Ernie Banks, and Ted Williams also command top dollar, especially in pristine grades.

Condition, of course, is paramount to a card’s worth. On the Mohs hardness scale, the thin 1957 Topps cardboard stocks rate only a 1, so they are prone to bends, creases, and edge-wear over the decades. A well-centered and clean Near Mint 7 can be valued 10x higher than a worn Good 4 graded copy. Top-graded PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 examples of the premier cards push six-figure prices. There is still value appreciation potential even in worn low-graded copies due to the vintage pedigree and star power of the players featured.

Outside of the star rookie and veteran cards, there is value to be found throughout the entire 1957 Topps set if a collector is willing to invest in lesser-known players. Solid major leaguers like Luis Aparicio, Minnie Minoso, Rocky Colavito, and Roy Campanella command respectable sums. Even replacements and innings eaters have found renewed collector interest. A PSA 8 of journeyman pitcher Bob Shaw could still garner a few hundred. Also, prospect cards featuring players who didn’t pan out hold a certain obscurity charm like Ted Lepcio or Chuck Tanner.

Postal cards were also inserted randomly in 1957 Topps packs. While they lack a photo, issues promoting the US Postal Service with the team logo silkscreened offer a change of pace. The scarcer the team represented, the higher demand there is. One depicting the since relocated Washington Senators sold for over $1,000. Other inserts including league leaders, high numbers, and ink variation puzzles can cause a stir online when they surface in collector markets.

The 1957 Topps baseball card set ranks amongst the most valuable and iconic of the entire vintage era. Anchored by all-time greats like Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and more, the cards maintain a blue-chip pedigree that ensures stable appreciation for genuine high-grade examples. Still, there are deals to be uncovered throughout the set if a collector is willing to wade through larger lower-grade lots. Condition will always be key, but the names and vintage appeal alone make 1957 Topps a collector favorite that holds value across all levels.

The 1991 Topps baseball card set is among one of the most popular and valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While 1991 Topps cards do not carry the same cachet as some older vintage sets, savvy collectors have recognized there is hidden value to be found in this 792 card release from over 30 years ago.

The 1991 Topps set is led by star rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Chipper Jones and Craig Biggio, who both had breakout seasons in 1990 and appear on the cover of the Topps Traded set update. Other notable rookies included in the base set are Todd Helton, Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra, Paul O’Neill, and John Smoltz. While most 1991 Topps rookies hold modest value today, the Jones and Biggio cards stand out as keys to the set that can fetch hundreds or even over $1,000 in top grade.

In terms of star veterans, the 1991 Topps roster included superstars like Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, and Kirby Puckett entering their physical primes. Bonds cards in particular show upside due to his explosive popularity and Hall of Fame career arc in the 1990s. Graded examples of stars from the 1991 set can reach values of $50-200 depending on the player and condition grade received.

Beyond the star names, 1991 Topps featured terrific photography and design elements that still resonate with collectors today. The cards have a clean and colorful look with player fullname and positions prominently displayed below each crisp image. The fronts feature vivid team color borders along with Topps’ signature logo design. Turning cards over reveals basic career and 1990 stats, plus a nostalgic look at each team’s uniform design from three decades ago.

1991 Topps also included several popular insert sets that added to the excitement of the base release. Topps Finest highlights the “cream of the crop” with black border parallels of star players. Desert Shield was a timely 90-91 insert focused on baseball stars serving overseas. And Traded continued the tradition of featuring midseason player transactions with brand new card designs and photography. These specialty 1991 Topps inserts tend to command higher prices than common base cards from the main checklist.

In terms of condition, 1991 Topps cards present an interesting challenge for collectors. While the overall print run was enormous during the height of the junk wax era, the flimsy cardboard stock has not aged gracefully over the past 30+ years. Near Mint examples from 1991 are hard to come by, with most raw cards found in only lightly played to good condition depending on storage and wear over the decades. This scarcity of high grades makes pristine 1991s quite desirable to condition-conscious collectors.

Graded examples through services like PSA and Beckett have become an important way to encapsulate 1991 Topps in their original untouched state. Slabs help validate condition and stabilize values for key vintage players. Top rookie and star veteran gems that earn PSA/BGS 9+ grades regularly sell for hundreds or low thousands online depending on the cachet of the athlete featured. But even mid-range 80s and 90s can find buyers in the $10-50 range.

While 1991 Topps cards may never reach the lofty heights of the true vintage ’52s through ’87s, savvy collectors recognize the undervalued opportunity that stalks the aisles of this huge but overlooked 792 card release. Careful cherrypicking of star rookies, HOF vets, and high graded pieces can unearth long term value and enjoyment from a set released during the end of the junk wax days. The nostalgia of the design and wide-ranging player checklist also gives 1991 Topps staying power as an affordable vintage baseball collecting option for generations to come.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th year for Topps to produce baseball cards and saw the introduction of several young stars and Hall of Famers. Understanding the values of these iconic cards from 35 years ago can provide keen insights.

Several factors influence the value of any specific card from the 1987 Topps set, including the player featured, the card’s condition or grade, and any unique variations. Of course, demand from collectors is a big driver of current prices. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies and stars from ’87 and what their cards tend to fetch today.

One of the most coveted rookie cards from the ’87 set is that of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter. Considered one of the best power hitters of the late 80s and 90s, Carter went on to hit over 300 home runs in his career and is best remembered for hitting a walk-off World Series home run for the Jays in 1993. In mint condition, his rookie card in the coveted #1 slot can sell for $800 or more. Any grade lower than mint sees values fall significantly.

Another star-studded rookie card is that of New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. As one of the most dominant pitchers of the mid-80s, Gooden won the ’85 NL Cy Young Award at age 20 and posted a stellar 24-4 record that year. In mint condition, his #119 rookie card can fetch $500-$700 depending on bidding activity. Like Carter, lower grades reduce the value considerably.

Hall of Famer Barry Larkin got his start with the Cincinnati Reds in 1986 and his coveted rookie card in the ’87 set, #263, can sell for around $200 in near-mint to mint condition. The shortstop would go on to be a 12-time All-Star and win the 1995 NL MVP award. Finding high-grade versions of Larkin’s rookie has become tougher over the years.

Two other highly valuable rookie cards belong to pitchers Kevin Brown (#188) of the Texas Rangers and Bret Saberhagen (#197) of the Kansas City Royals. Brown went on to notch over 200 wins in his career while Saberhagen won two Cy Young Awards. Their top-graded ’87 rookie cards can sell for $150-250 depending on condition. Solid copies still approach $50-100.

Of course, established superstars from the 1980s saw strong demand for their ’87 Topps cards as well. Future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt’s #12 card, featuring his amazing 47 home run, 119 RBI 1987 season for the Phillies, can reach up to $75 in near-mint. The #1 card of Detroit Tigers slugger and 3-time MVP Kirby Puckett tends to pull in $60-100. And elite closer Dennis Eckersley’s #203 as a member of the Red Sox has sold for upwards of $50 in top condition.

Beyond rookies and stars, several variations make certain common ’87 Topps cards much more valuable. The run-of-the-mill Nolan Ryan pitching card is only worth a few bucks normally. But his rare “blue suit” variation, where he’s pictured wearing a blue blazer instead of the typical uniform, has sold for over $1,000 in top shape. And the famous “Blank Back” error card featuring Yankees star Don Mattingly is valued at $300-500 depending on grade due to its manufacturing mishap.

In general, 1987 Topps cards in pristine mint condition can still pull in impressive sums. But realistically, most vintage collections contain cards that have seen play over the decades in much lower grades. Still, complete common sets in averaged near-mint to excellent condition can often sell for $150-300 online. And valuable singles in solid very good to excellent condition still hold value in the $5-25 range depending on player popularity.

While the 1987 Topps set lacked some modern extras like parallel or short-printed subsets featured in today’s releases, it nevertheless launched the careers of future legends and Hall of Famers. Understanding values based around player pedigree, scarcity, and card condition provides collectors with helpful context when considering premium vintage investments or simply enjoying nostalgic remnants from the 1980s baseball card boom. Whether chasing stars, errors, or completing a childhood collection, ’87 Topps remains an iconic release that continues finding new fans decades later.