The Topps Company is widely considered the standard bearer when it comes to quality baseball trading cards. For decades, Topps has released annual sets that have captured the essence of the national pastime and fueled the collecting hobby. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most important Topps baseball card sets over the years.
Topps debuted in the baseball card market in 1953 with their first complete set containing cards of every MLB player. The 1953 Topps set featured 382 cards with each player’s photo on the front and stats and career highlights on the back. This marked the first time cards were mass produced with gum, making them appealing to kids. The 1954 Topps set included color tinting for the first time. Also, trading card numbers on the front and a short write-up on the back became standard across the industry thanks to Topps.
In the late 1950s, Topps introduced the concepts of logos, team hats, and action shots that added visual appeal. From 1957-1967, Topps won the lucrative MLBPA license and had essentially zero competition due to their exclusive agreements. Some legendary sets from this ‘Golden Age’ period include the 1957 Topps which introduced intricate color borders, the 1960 Topps set which featured clearer action shots, and the 1965 set that highlighted player headshots to mark Topps’ peak aesthetics of that era.
The late 1960s and 1970s saw competition emerge as Fleer and Kellogg’s competed alongside Topps. Fleer’s 1968 release introduced the innovation of “gumless” cards that helped extend the product’s shelf life. In response, Topps’ 1968 set included their iconic “Baseball Thrills” minieseries of 21 cards highlighting famous moments. The 1970 Topps cards sported a psychedelic style inspired by the era and marked the brand’s first true ‘design set.’ In 1972, Topps released a photo of then 19-year-old rookie Eddie Murray, fueling a hot streak of popularity for Afro-American players.
Topps had arguably their strongest run of sets in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring numerous Hall of Famers and cultivating legends such as Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Ken Griffey Jr. The iconic 1984 Topps Traded set introduced the now standard player autograph card inserts. Iconic sets spanning this period include the 1989 Topps set which celebrated the brand’s 200th million card production, plus the 1991 and 1995 Topps sets that highlighted ‘rookie cards’ of future stars such as Piazza, Jeter, and Chipper Jones.
Entering the 21st century, Topps transitioned to using modern card stock and introduced parallel short prints alongside ‘hits’ that incorporated memorabilia. The 2001 Topps Century Legends set paid tribute to the first 100 years of Topps cards. Modern standouts include the 2011 Topps Update set that featured player photos from the 2011 MLB All-Star Game in Phoenix, as well as Topps’ popular annual ‘Allen & Ginter’ series known for quirky inserts and retro designs.
In 2007, The Topps Company was purchased by former NBA star Michael Eisner and The Tornante Company LLC. Since then they have maintained their dominance but faced new competition from brands like Panini. Still, Topps remains the most iconic and prestigious brand thanks to maintaining their impressive quality while innovating with inserts, autographs, and parallels. Whether it’s a vintage 1960s design or cutting-edge 2021 release, Topps baseball cards have defined the collecting hobby and frozen timeless baseball moments for generations of fans.
