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1987 Topps
Does anyone else have a special love for '87 Topps? I know, I know, there is about 10 billion in circulation and has mostly sentimental value at this point. But is there any other 80's set that is the perfect combination of old stars vs new stars? I call it the "bridge" set, meaning it bridges yesterday and today, at least 1987 "today." The set contains the last player cards of Pete Rose, Tom Seaver, Reggie Jackson, and Steve Carlton. It has first regular issues of Barry Bonds, Bo Jackson, Barry Larkin, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, and Jose Canseco. You combine that with 80's mega stars like Don Mattingly and Roger Clemens, and you begin to see this set is no slouch. The set is also a who's who of HOF'ers like Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, Cal Ripken, Carlton Fisk, Rickey Henderson, George Brett, Ryne Sandberg, Dave Winfield, Wade Boggs, Andre Dawson, Tony Gwynn.... It's really something if you think about it. For any of us with young children who want to teach them about the history of the game and show them some serious ball players from the last 40 years or so, this set is perfect. You can buy full wax box's or sets for very affordable prices. No, I am not selling 87 Topps, I currently own just my one set. But man, it's my favorite!!!
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There is a huge thread in the auto section of people trying to get the entire set autographed, so you're not alone. It was much better than the bland 1988 set that I wasted most of my allowance on as a kid.
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I bought an '87 Topps Tiffany set last year and love it! I would like to get a better Bo Jackson, but I am otherwise very happy to own it. I was 14 in 1987. Some good memories!
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Swarmee, that '88 set was the worst!! I remember buying pack after pack trying to get Mattingly or Canseco and ended up with 20 Glenn Hubbard's...lol. I never considered upgrading my 87 set with the Tiffany set. Great idea Vintage Baseball Card Guy! The traded set also has Greg Maddox and another Reggie if you wanna go even further. You have it in a binder?
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I remember 1987. I opened a ton of Topps. Guys would go to the store to search the racks and cellos with a list of the runs to find cards of Mattingly, Gooden, Strawberry, Joyner, Incaviglia, Canseco, McGwire, Bo, etc. I also opened a bunch of Donruss. Fleer was hard to find. I ended up buying the set for $40. Fleer was the only place to find the Seitzer rookie until the updates. Good times.
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Up until 1994 I tried to get any and all baseball sets put out by Topps in any given year, including test and insert sets, and judged my appreciation for that year's production by the sum of the parts .
For 87 I liked the wood boarders and got the base and traded set, and the base and traded Tiffany set. Also ended up with a 1/4 size metal Mays, in the format of his 53 card, that was a premium given to dealers who purchased Traded sets. Then there were 8 box panel cards, the All Star Glossy set of 22 which were rack pack inserts, The All Star Glossy set of 60, a mail in offer product, Baseball Highlights boxed set ( Joint effort with Woolworth), the 87 Coin set of 48, the ongoing Gallery of Champions boxed set of 12 in aluminum, bronze and silver, and one pewter Canseco premium) . I have a full run of these things in each metal from 84-91. I like them. Then there was the Glossy Rookie set of 22, which were inserts in Jumbo packs. Topps also produced in 87 a Bobby Grich Night sheet featuring all his Tops cards for an Angels game on May 1. Also the ongoing Mini League Leaders cards which came out in their own packs. And Finally the Panini soft sticker set of 313 and the related but scarce hardback set of the same number |
1987 Topps was the very first set I collected, so it holds a special place in my memory, as well.
Also, great point about it being a "bridge" set. Lots of old players on their last legs, and a lot of exciting young players just starting out. |
I am one that doesn't understand the above average love for that set. I did buy a ton of it as a kid, more than past years for some reason for which I don't recall now. It was almost my last hurrah, as I left for the Navy at the end of 87 and would slowly run down my collecting while I was serving until I revived the interest in 1993 right before returning to civilian life.
Of all the 80s sets as I look back now, I would say that 80, 81, 83 were tops for me from a strict design perspective and 86 was my favorite from the massive production era. |
I Loved and still love the1987 cards. I opened more of this year than any other year. At 13 dollars a box, I am not even sure how much I opened, but I know I put together 10 hand collated sets the only product I have ever opened close to as much of is the 1987 donruss? Between the stars and the rookies it is hard not to like unless you think well if I have this many how much is really out there?
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I'm glad I am not the only one in love with the 87's! One item I forgot, that I think is worth mentioning, is the picture quality and awesome action shots on these cards. I think Topps really got it right this year. Check out #520, Jack Clark. Looks like he just got the stop sign at the last moment from the 3rd base coach. Great shot! ..Or how about #500, Donnie Baseball. I love this picture. Mattingly just LOOKS like a baseball player at the plate. Iconic picture.
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Thanks, bro! Yes, I would love to see some pics when you get the chance. I love our hobby and collect what gives me joy:). I am officially in the market for an 87 Tiffany Set. Thanks for the inspiration!!
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Those pics are nice. Thanks! Those Tiffany cards just pop, front and back. Looks really cool in the binder! That 87 set was the last great base set Topps produced, in my humble opinion. If anyone out there has an 87 Tiffany set they wanna part with..let me know. I'll post in the buying section as well.
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Thanks, Vinnie. Best of luck finding a set you like!
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I had a cup of coffee with '86 Topps but I exploded onto the scene with '87 Topps, winning ROY. I can still remember being 10 years old and stuffing my jacket pockets with stacks of '87 Topps to bring to school to trade with my friends.
I still have a Pavlovian response to the Gary Carter card, since that was the one on every wax box. I've bought numerous Tiffany sets and gotten many PSA 10s. Still have some work to do but I consider that set a lifelong affair so I'm in no rush. Just hope I don't get drunk and get any kind of '87 Topps tattoo. Arthur |
Hope the tattoo idea does not reach that crew in Phoenix
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My kids and I are putting together a set from packs just for fun. They love the design. We have opened 2 wax boxes so far, and have about 600 of the cards needed. I bought a group of about 20 racks to supplement to see how far we can go. It has been a hoot. Seeing some of my childhood favorites has been fun. All-Stars, Record Breakers, the Canseco, the McGwire, the Gooden, the Clemens...lots of good stuff.
The OP raises an interesting question...which 1980's set has the most HOF cards in it? 1986 has a high number. What about 87? 87 would probably win if it weren't for the steroid guys- Bonds, Canseco, McGwire, Palmerio being the notable ones. Does anyone know the answer? kevin |
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