1984 Donruss Baseball

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

Great set. Great design. Donruss was really considered the standard from 84-87. The 84 set is outstanding. 85 and 86 are polarizing but they were really kind of breakthrough. Some iconic cards in here, the '84 and '85 Mattingly are both cool. The '85 Two for the Title card and the '86 Canseco RC.

Agree. Especially love the '85 set.

[Exhibitman]

84 and 85 are my two favorite sets from the 1981-1988 era. IMO the 84 was the best design but the images were a little soft focus. 85 is sharper. I still have my 85 Mattingly, but in a tomb now

[insidethewrapper]

I think the 1984 Donruss Set is the best set of the 1980's ! It was printed in lower quantities and the design is great. I remember the Factory Set of 651 cards + 7 checklists = 658 cards. Then you had to buy wax packs to get the other 2 cards " Living Legends A & B" to = 660. Also a lot of variations. Fun set. Still have a lot of singles in stock but I wish I had some of those wax boxes still in stock, sold out years ago.

[Chicosbailbonds]

I’m 36 away from a signed set.

[Kutcher55]

Given how crummy the 81-83 Donruss sets were (just my opinion) and how nice 84 is (again IMO), it makes me curious as to what precipitated at Donruss headquarters that got them the designs of 84-87. Curious if there was a key hire or something, a new designer. There has to be a story behind it.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

Given how crummy the 81-83 Donruss sets were (just my opinion) and how nice 84 is (again IMO), it makes me curious as to what precipitated at Donruss headquarters that got them the designs of 84-87. Curious if there was a key hire or something, a new designer. There has to be a story behind it.

I didn't mind the 81-83 Donruss, other then the fact they were all basically the same design, done 3 times with subtle differences. Big lack of imagination, except for the Diamond Kings, which I loved.

I also never liked the partial stats on the back of any of the Donruss issues. Always preferred the full stats on the Fleer and Topps issues.

I will also say, I liked most of the Fleer designs from 83 to 88. I loved their 84 design, almost as much as the Donruss. Fleer also had the best feeling card stock, of the Big 3 brands, all throughout the 80's........at least until Upper Deck and Score came on the scene.

[Kutcher55]

Agree. I like 84 Fleer quite a bit as well.