Toughest Topps Sets from the 80s to Complete

[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.

[steve B]

Probably none of it would make the rarest list, but some of the HSN exclusive stuff is probably pretty hard to find. I never paid much attention when I watched, which was hardly ever, and I don't think anyone kept track of what was out there. I have a couple things from another company that were probably HSN things, and I've never seen a second example.

[ls7plus]

I concur completely re the '85 Topps minis. I only have the Eddie Murray and the Jim Rice. Very tough set to pursue these days, when they are not often the focus of demand IMHO.

Hope your collecting is delightful,

Larry

[Cliff Bowman]

Originally Posted by 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.

It would be missing the thin black border line around the photo.

[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.

[Jim65]

The 1997 Topps Pro Shooters marbles are real tough.

I picked these up last year, 1992 Topps Round Trippers, seller thinks they 1/1 and I'm starting to believe it too.

[toppcat]

I have picked up a few of the cards listed here as types-nothing easy about some of them and they can be on par with the "golden era" tests in terms of difficulty. Not all of them but it seems like early to mid 70's tests are generally a little easier than late 60's, then after a fallow period the 80's tests were a little easier still before the late 80's and 90's kicked off and brought some real tough ones. Even that late, Topps always kept it interesting with the tests and proofs, didn't they? If Topps had tighter security over the years, I wonder how many of these we would even know about?

[frankhardy]

Originally Posted by Jim65

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

The Piazza (as well as others) were mine.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by frankhardy

The Piazza (as well as others) were mine.

Do you have another you'd like to sell?

[frankhardy]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

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