Toughest Topps Sets from the 80s to Complete

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by toppcat

While I have essentially cut off my collecting of Topps type cards at 1980, I have saved examples of their baseball issues from 1981 through the early 90's and also have bought the occasional test issue type after that, although I don't even have a list together of what I have. I admit I can get glazed and confused when all the post 1994 issues get discussed due to chase cards, Stadium Club, refractors and parallels and the like but I do try to follow anything that is considered a true test issue from Topps up until the sale to Eisner & Co. I'm more and more of the opinion that these listings should be divided between issued and unissued when having these discussions, realizing it's not always possible to tell! 1982 blackless and 1984 encased would be variations in a set to my mind, not stnadalones. Not nit-picking here (and Al knows I love him!) just trying to get some information I may use someday.

So what's a top ten list of issued sets through 2007 in terms of difficulty? Or even issued and unissued as separate entities?

I know what some of the rare sets are but don't really have a way to compare them as I don't track them carefully. Eisner's company bought Topps in March 2007 and turned it into a totally different company IMO --not necessarily a bad thing given their success--so probably didn't really influence things until 2008 releases. Curious what your different takes are on this subject.

The 1982 Blackless are true variations, 1984 Encased were never released, correct?