Toughest Topps Sets from the 80s to Complete

[ALR-bishop]

Here is my list based on my experience. Anyone have additions or different order

1 Topps 1980 Coins
2 Topps 1982 Blackless
3 Topps 1985 Minis ( harder in blank back)
4 Topps 1984 Encased or Head in Box
5 Topps 1988 Cloth
6 Topps 1989 Yankee/Mets Double Headers... or the related proofs ( not the regular 89 issue)
7 Topps 1989 Batting Leaders
8 Topps Heads Up ( Big Head Suckers)

[frankhardy]

Am I missing something, Al? I know you are much more experienced than I when it comes to rare cards. Why are you listing the 1989 Topps Batting Leaders? Are you talking about the cards with a red border? I have the 2 Cardinals in that set and I don't remember them being tough at all.

[ALR-bishop]

You are probably right Shane. I remember getting frustrated trying to buy them one at a time and ended up buying a set with each card showing in a full (blaster ?) pack. And the "set" is still in the unopened packs. So maybe I should just start an list of annoying sets

[frankhardy]

I could see how that would be difficult. I wonder if anyone had tried a 1987, 1988, or 1989 Topps set of cello packs with the cards showing on the front? That would probably be very hard.

[rgpete]

1980 Topps Prototype Coins on a Topps Presentation Board

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Here is my list based on my experience. Anyone have additions or different order

1 Topps 1980 Coins
2 Topps 1982 Blackless
3 Topps 1985 Minis ( harder in blank back)
4 Topps 1984 Encased or Head in Box
5 Topps 1988 Cloth
6 Topps 1989 Yankee/Mets Double Headers... or the related proofs ( not the regular 89 issue)
7 Topps 1989 Batting Leaders
8 Topps Heads Up ( Big Head Suckers)

I am not sure a black back set of '85 mini's can even be completed.

-Z

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

I am not sure a black back set of '85 mini's can even be completed.

-Z

It would be possible in white blanks with considerable effort, but with only 5 tan back blank sheets reported it would be quite a super human project to locate all 132 in the rarest form. The Acme and Fuch proof version of the 85's that came to auction in 2015 can likely never be assembled as a set as only the 117 Acme cards and 100 Fuch cards are known. I was lucky enough to get type examples when TATSR broke the group up on eBay.

[ALR-bishop]

I have finished the 85 Minis in regular and blank back, but my blank back set has a mix of white and tan backs.... more white than tan

I also have about half of the set in red back only...regular back with no green ink. I have given up trying to complete it that way

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Here is my list based on my experience. Anyone have additions or different order

1 Topps 1980 Coins
2 Topps 1982 Blackless
3 Topps 1985 Minis ( harder in blank back)
4 Topps 1984 Encased or Head in Box
5 Topps 1988 Cloth
6 Topps 1989 Yankee/Mets Double Headers... or the related proofs ( not the regular 89 issue)
7 Topps 1989 Batting Leaders
8 Topps Heads Up ( Big Head Suckers)

I only started collecting these 1980's Mets players about 2 years ago, I need a couple of 1982 Blackless, 1 more 1988 Cloth, 1 more 1984 Encased. I completed the 1985 Minis and Topps Heads Ups. In 2 years I have found 1 of the 1989 Yankees/Mets Double Headers (Keith Hernandez) They are damn tough.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Here is my list based on my experience. Anyone have additions or different order

1 Topps 1980 Coins
2 Topps 1982 Blackless
3 Topps 1985 Minis ( harder in blank back)
4 Topps 1984 Encased or Head in Box
5 Topps 1988 Cloth
6 Topps 1989 Yankee/Mets Double Headers... or the related proofs ( not the regular 89 issue)
7 Topps 1989 Batting Leaders
8 Topps Heads Up ( Big Head Suckers)

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 standalones. 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.

[ALR-bishop]

Agree with Dave that most of the sets I listed were not issued at retail. And agree that the 82 Blackless are variations. Would not view the 84 Encased as variations, but rather as blank back design proof cards.

What they all have in common is they are listed in the SCD Standard Catalog as Topps sets, and that was my collecting parameter for the 80s

If list was limited to sets issued at retail only 7, 8 and 2 would be on it, and maybe 6 in part.

[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?

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Jim65

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

Yes, sorry-brain cramped on the 84's so that would make them unreleased proofs.

[ALR-bishop]

Rather than true variations I would say the 82 Blackess are unintended recurring print defects. The 84 Encased are blank back proofs, but not proofs of the issued set. Rather proofs of an alternative design

The Blackless cards were issued in packs but you can also build the “set” in transition.. gray versus Blackless or normal

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Question on the '82 Topps Blackless cards: what distinguishes the In Action blackless cards? Is it simply the pastel-like color? If so, are they hard to distinguish from cards that simply are faded? I can see the differences in the regular issue player cards and all-star cards, just not the IAs. Thanks.

[frankhardy]

Originally Posted by toppcat

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 will chime in with one. Where do you guys place the 1998 Topps Sportzcubz?

Back in 2016, I sort of cornered the market on these. I purchase 2 complete sets and 2 partial sets from the son of a Topps employee (Ric Mahig). He was an employee of over 30 years, I believe. Anyway, Mr Mahig told his son that he would be shocked if there were more than 5 of any card? If that is true, then I have had my hands on 4 them.

I currently have a complete BGS graded set with everything being a population 1, except Jeter which is a pop 2. PSA doesn't grade them. I also still have a handful of duplicates.

My point is that these are extremely difficult to find.

Where do you guys place these on the rare list up to 2007?

[ALR-bishop]

I do not know Shane but I have reported this monopolistic activity to the DOJ

[bigfanNY]

I Purchased a Jeter and a Bonds from the OP. And I think down the road they will rank up that a in rarity with Dice game etc. The players Jeter, Griffey Jr., Bonds, Mcgwire..etc. And those that collect players will always have them on want lists. Time will tell.
I have an unopened box of Yankee / Mets Double headers. But no unopened examples. As for the HSN stuff the 1990 boxed sets are scarce but not rare. 85 minis rare 80 coins rare,

[Jim65]

The Sportzcubz are tough. I just missed on a Piazza on eBay little while back.

[frankhardy]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I do not know Shane but I have reported this monopolistic activity to the DOJ

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Thank you. Now I understand.

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