The Junk Wax Era- when did it start?

[esquiresports]

It's been a lot of fun reading this because I lived through it. 1986 or 1987 is when the "junk wax" era began in my opinion. I would guess that Topps' production roughly doubled every year from 1977 to 1985 and then accelerated even more quickly to the peak in what I believe is around 1991/1992.

I recall seeing a ton of 1986 Topps wax and racks well into 1987, but that may have been driven, in part, but a weak rookie class.

1987 was the first year that Topps sold factory sets on a truly national level. They did produce some factory sets in 1974 and 1984-1986, but 1987 was a huge factory set production year. From 1987-1993, factory set production was huge. I still have mine.

I believe 1988 Donruss holds, by a good margin, the record for highest production. I mean it was everywhere you looked. 1989 Donruss was saved in part by a strong rookie class. 1990 Donruss production remained in the stratosphere.

1989 Upper Deck started out as the "scarce" product, but I wonder how long they printed 1989 Upper Deck product. Its production appears to be up there with just about any other product than 1988 Donruss. 1990-1992 production was extremely high.

Card companies really began to bank on the card craze in the late 1980s. You had new entrants like Sportflics, Wild Card, Star Pics and others who cashed in with less than stellar product.

The big companies battled back by releasing new sets. You saw special sets - opening day, baseball's best, etc. Then Topps reintroduced Bowman in 1989. Donruss came out with an upper end Leaf product in 1990. Topps added OPC Premiere, which was THE set to have along with Leaf. Then Studio Club, Gallery, and on and on. It was pretty horrible.

[JWBlue]

It would have to be either 85, 86, or 87.

Topps: I recall in 1986 noticing packs in more places than 1985. Then in 1987 I noticed the cards even were more prominent. Even as a teenager I sensed these cards might not be worth much.

Fleer: 1986 I noticed higher production.

Donruss : 1987 they really stepped up production. Those blister backs were everywhere.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Topps, I would say '86 - '87
Fleer, I would say '88 - '89
Donruss, I would say '87 - '88

[bbcard1]

I might argue 1981. The supply of wax was wonky mainly because of the strike, but after 1981 there was never any problem finding wax. The obscene production started really in 1987, IMO.

[Econteachert205]

A lot of good opinions and information here, I'll add my own. I think that the year is 1981, with the exception of 1984 Donruss which has always been explained to me was in short supply. The fact that stuff from 81-86 kept some relative value while 87-94 basically became worthless doesn't really paint the whole picture. My 1981 price guides list complete 81 topps, donruss and fleer sets higher than prices now. That's 33 years with an inability for saturation to lead to higher prices. The answer to why could be low demand, but it can't be the only answer. Plus you go from 1 company to 3. I like the stuff from 1981-87, and I had to get by my own bias to see that the only difference between it and the stuff from 88-94 is that people weren't quite totally soured on it and have positive memories surrounding it. I loved pulling Clemens and Gooden and Boggs and Puckett and Ripken and Gwynn rookies. The fact that I enjoyed it means they've at least been able to tread water, in my opinion.

[Footballdude]

I think a big reason why the 1981 set has not gone up, aside from a generous supply, is that back then the set was largely rookie driven. John Tudor, Joe Charboneau (however you spell it), Jeff Reardon, Tim Raines, Lamar Hoyt, Fernando Valenzuela, Mookie Wilson, Kirk Gibson, Harold Baines and Tony Pena were all rookies I remember everyone asking for back in the day. How many of those panned out?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Having no HOF rookies in the '81 sets plays a big part in keeping the set/wax price down IMHO. As far as star players from that year though, I think they hold their own with just about any other year from the 1980's, except maybe 1987 (which is worthless anyway). Raines and, to a lesser extent, Reardon are borderline HOF'ers. If Baines played a few more seasons in the outfield instead of DH, I think he would be up there with Raines. Valenzuela was one of the top 5 pitchers in the NL for the decade of the '80's. Kirk Gibson had many good years and was a fan favorite in Detroit. Other stars throughout the '80's were Hubie Brooks, Leon Durham, Lloyd Moseby, Bruce Hurst, John Tudor, Tony Pena, Mike Boddicker, Rich Dotson, LaMarr Hoyt, Rafael Ramirez, Damaso Garcia, Bill Gullickson, Charlie Lea & Keith Moreland. All were stars through at least the mid-80's, some longer.