Production Estimates / Print Run Archive

[Bigdaddy]

No hard numbers to add to the thread, but I can give some memories that should provide a check on some of the trends.

1984 Donruss were advertised to be produced in lower numbers than the previous years. This 'scarcity' increased demand and they were harder to find in 1984 than Topps or Fleer. This seems to be reflected in your Donruss print runs numbers. After 1984, Donruss went back up in production, flooding the market by the late 80s.

For Fleer, production (supposedly) took a dip in 1988 after steady increases in the previous years.

Topps, well, they kept the presses running 24/7 all through the '80s, until they literally used all the cardboard in the western hemisphere in 1987.

Upper Deck's first print run in 1989 was initially thought to be 'limited', but like an Artesian well, they kept showing up on shelves. I have heard that they even specifically printed sheets of Griffey that year to make sure every living person on earth had a GJr RC.

All hearsay, I know.