The first series of Topps baseball cards were issued in 1952 and consisted of a set of 20 cards. Since then, Topps has released new baseball card sets every year for over 60 consecutive years, making them the longest continuous baseball card issuer. As their sets grew larger each year, Topps issued their mammoth 792 card set in 1987 known as the “Topps 40” set in celebration of their 40th year in baseball card production.
The Topps 40 set included cards on every player in the major leagues at the time as well as minor leaguers, managers, coaches and even umpires for an extraordinarily complete set. While this sheer volume led to high print runs which has kept individual common cards relatively affordable, there remain significant values to be found within the Topps 40 set for cards of the game’s all-time greats and rookies of future Hall of Famers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights and most valuable cards still being sought after over 30 years later from Topps’ monumental 1987 set.
Perhaps the most iconic and valuable card from the Topps 40 set is the #1 card featuring New York Yankees star Don Mattingly. Widely considered the best all-around first baseman of the 1980s, Mattingly’s rookie card from 1981 is one of the most coveted and expensive cards in the entire baseball card vintage era. His card leading off the Topps 40 set in near-mint to mint condition can fetch $1,000 or more due to its prestigious placement, subject matter and the strong ongoing demand for anything related to “Donnie Baseball.”
Another Yankee drawing big money is #96, the base card of rookie sensation Bernie Williams. Still considered one of the greatest center fielders in Yankees history, Williams’ dazzling offensive performance and five World Series rings have cemented his status among fans old and new. Low-print runs for rookie cards at that time period result in Williams’ Topps 40 RC fetching $400-500 even today. Speaking of rookies, #118 Ken Griffey Jr. has long been the darling of collectors ever since his teenage rookie card mania of the late 1980s. High grades of Junior’s first major league card can bring in $2,000 or more.
Two of the greatest pitchers in baseball history and fierce rivals also have valuable rookie cards in the set. #109 Tom Glavine, who will likely join Griffey in the Hall of Fame someday, can sell for $200-300 while #125 Greg Maddux, a first ballot Hall of Famer, has recently been selling in the $400 range. Another Hall of Famer with a valuable rookie is #254 Tim Raines, whose speed and offensive prowess made him a premier player for two decades. Low print runs on Rained rookie cards value his Topps 40 issue around $150-200 presently.
Not every highly valued card in the mammoth set features young stars or Hall of Famers either. Veterans established as superstars in the late 80s also carry impressive values befitting their status at the time. #11 Roger Clemens, in the midst of a record-setting career on his way to a record seven Cy Young Awards, can fetch $150-200. #15 Wade Boggs, who achieved the rare feat of batting .300 or better in every season of the decade, also has found a home in the $150 range. #410 The career .338 hitter and Red Sox legend Jim Rice holds steady at $100.
But perhaps no player represented the pinnacle of stardom in the late 1980s quite like #229 Jose Canseco, the first player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season. Known as much for revolutionizing the game with his muscular strength as for his off-field antics later, Canseco’s marketability resulted in extremely low print runs. As a result, his flagship Topps 40 rookie in pristine condition now lists for an astounding $800-1000 level. Whether for serious vintage collectors or casual fans, the Topps 40 set endures as one of the most comprehensive and historically important releases in the hobby. Select cards and rookies within continue to carry impressive long-term values even today, a testament to their subjects’ performances and place within the lore of the national pastime.
