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Go Back   Net54baseball.com Forums > Net54baseball Postwar Sportscard Forums > Modern Baseball Cards Forum (1980-Present)

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Old 04-08-2020, 11:33 AM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
Jason Ursaner
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New York
Posts: 111
Default Production Estimates / Print Run Archive

Looking to create a relatively "comprehesive" list of print runs and production estimates for certain vintage issues, as well as the "junk wax" era and modern sets, etc.

Not sure of the best way to format it yet... so will just have to see how the data starts to present itself.

Searched the forum for previous threads, although didn't turn up much. So if you know of any relevant threads or information please attach.

-- -- -- -- --

Edit -- I'll eventually put into a spreadsheet, but for now just going to keep an updated list right here in the initial post. Any suggestions on how to best organize the list are appreciated.

SN# - Serial Numbered # /xxx
NN# - Non-Serial Numbered # /xxx
Est - Estimate
B - Base
X - Subset / Extended / Specialty / Oddball
I - Insert
P - Parallel / Limited Edition / Commemorative
S - Sample / Promo / Test Issue
Other potential notations?


-- -- -- --


The Topps Company (Includes Topps, Topps Gallery, Finest, Stadium Club, and Project 2020) - Acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners in 2007.

Topps -- "Pre-Vintage" - Pre-1952 --
1951 Topps Blue Back - Significantly more scarce than Red Back
1951 Topps Red Back - 52-card set. 2-cards per $0.01 pack.
1951 Topps Connie Mack's All-Stars - 11-card set.
1951 Topps Major League All-Stars - 11-card set. Includes unissued cards.
1951 Topps Teams - 11-card set.


Topps -- Vintage - 1952-1974 -- Base Sets? High numbers?
1952 Topps - NN# /xxx -407-card set. 5-cards per $0.05 pack.
1952 Topps High Numbers - Series 6 - #311 thru #407
1953 Topps - NN# /xxx - 274-card set.
1953 Topps High Numbers - Series 4 - #221 thru #280
1954 Topps - NN# /xxx
1955 Topps - NN# /xxx
1956 Topps - NN# /xxx
1957 Topps - NN# /xxx
1958 Topps - NN# /xxx
1959 Topps - NN# /xxx
1960 Topps - NN# /xxx
1961 Topps - NN# /xxx
1962 Topps - NN# /xxx
1963 Topps - NN# /xxx
1964 Topps - NN# /xxx
1965 Topps - NN# /xxx
1965 Topps Embossed - NN# /xxx
1966 Topps - NN# /xxx
1967 Topps - NN# /xxx
1967 Topps High Numbers -
1968 Topps - NN# /xxx
1968 Topps Game - NN# /xxx
1969 Topps - NN# /xxx
1969 Topps Deckle Edge - NN# /xxx
1969 Topps Super -
1970 Topps - NN# /xxx
1970 Topps Posters -
1970 Topps Scratch-Off -
1970 Topps Story Booklets -
1970 Topps Super -
1971 Topps - NN# /xxx
1971 Topps Super -
1972 Topps -
1973 Topps -
1973 Topps Blue Team Checklists -
1974 Topps -
1974 Topps Red Team Checklists -


Topps -- "Modern Vintage" Era - 1975-1985 -- Base Sets? Traded? Specialty / Oddball?
1975 Topps - NN# /250,000 to /500,000 - 660-card set. Est Total Production of 500m cards? 380,000 sets? Estimate Source: Beckett 3 (published 1981)?
1975 Topps Mini - NN# /xxx
1975 Topps Team Checklist Sheet -
1976 Topps - NN# /250,000 to /500,000+
1976 Topps Team Checklist Sheet -
1976 Topps Traded -
1977 Topps - NN# /250,000 to /750,000
1977 Topps Cloth Stickers -
1978 Topps - NN# /250,000 to /750,000
1978 Topps Team Checklist Sheet -
1979 Topps - NN# /250,000 to /750,000
1979 Topps Team Checklist Sheet -
1980 Topps - NN# /350,000 to /850,000
1980 Topps Team Checklist Sheet -
1980 Topps Superstar Photos -
1981 Topps - NN# /500,000 to /1,250,000
1981 Topps Traded -
1982 Topps - NN# /500,000 to /1,250,000
1982 Topps Traded -
1983 Topps - NN# /500,000 to /1,250,000
1983 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1983 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Steve Carlton - Issued to Dealers with cases of 1983 Topps Traded
1983 Topps Traded -
1984 Topps - NN# /500,000 to /1,250,000
1984 Topps Nestle - NN# /5,000 - Not parallel
1984 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1984 Topps Super -
1984 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Darryl Strawberry - Issued to Dealers with cases of 1984 Topps Traded
1984 Topps Traded -
1985 Topps - NN# /1,000,000+
1985 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1985 Topps Super -
1985 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Pete Rose - Issued to Dealers with cases of 1985 Topps Traded
1985 Topps Traded -


Topps -- "Junk Wax" Era - 1986-1993 (?)
1986 Topps - NN# /1,000,000+
1986 Topps - Glossy Send-In -
1986 Topps Super -
1986 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Mickey Mantle - Issued to Dealers with cases of 1986 Topps Traded
1986 Topps Traded -
1987 Topps - NN# /2,500,000+
1987 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1987 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Willie Mays - Issued to Dealers with cases of 1987 Topps Traded
1987 Topps Traded -
1988 Topps - NN# /3,500,000+
1988 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1988 Topps Big -
1988 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Duke Snider - Issued/available for purchase to Dealers buying cases of 1988 Topps Traded
1988 Topps Traded -
1989 Topps - NN# /3,500,000+
1989 Topps Glossy Send-In -
1989 Topps Big -
1989 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Jackie Robinson - Issued/available for purchase to Dealers buying cases of 1989 Topps Traded
1989 Topps Traded -
1990 Topps - NN# /3,500,000+
1990 Topps Big -
1990 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Hank Aaron - Issued/available for purchase to Dealers buying cases of 1990 Topps Traded
1990 Topps Traded -
1991 Topps - NN# /3,000,000+
1991 Topps Desert Shield - NN# /6,400
1991 Topps Traded Bronze Premium Brooks Robinson - Available for purchase to Dealers bought cases 1991 Topps Traded
1991 Topps Traded -
1992 Topps - NN# /2,000,000+
1992 Topps Gold - NN# /xxx,xxx
1992 Topps Traded -
1993 Topps - NN# /2,000,000+
1993 Topps Inaugural Florida Marlins - NN# /10,000
1993 Topps Inaugural Colorado Rockies - NN# /10,000
1993 Topps Black Gold -
1993 Topps Traded -


Topps Tiffany - (Includes Gallery of Champions)
1983 Topps Tiffany 1952 Reprint - NN# /35,000 - Tiffany box serial #? 10k-25k Sets?
1984 Topps Tiffany - NN# /7,000 - Serial Numbered Cases? 7k serial numbers? 10k Sets?
1984 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /10,000
1984 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Tom Seaver - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1984 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ?? Set of 12. Originally named Gallery of Immortals.
1984 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1985 Topps Tiffany - NN# /5,000 - 5k Sets?
1985 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /5,000
1985 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Dwight Gooden - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1985 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ?? Set of 12.
1985 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1986 Topps Tiffany - NN# /5,000 - Serial number boxes? 5k Sets?
1986 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /5,000
1986 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Don Mattingly - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1986 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12. Introduced Aluminum version. Cello packs.
1986 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1986 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1987 Topps Tiffany - NN# /30,000 - 25k-30k Sets?
1987 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /30,000
1987 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Jose Canseco - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1987 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12.
1987 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1987 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1988 Topps Tiffany - NN# /30,000 - 25k-30k Sets?
1988 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /30,000
1988 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Mark McGwire - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1988 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12.
1988 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1988 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1989 Topps Tiffany - NN# /15,000 - Different Traded production? 25k / 15k Sets?
1989 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /15,000
1989 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Jose Canseco - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1989 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12.
1989 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1989 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1990 Topps Tiffany - NN# /10,000 - 10k Sets?
1990 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /10,000
1990 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Nolan Ryan - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1990 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12.
1990 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1990 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000
1991 Topps Tiffany - NN# /5,000 - shrink wrap? 5k Sets?
1991 Topps Traded Tiffany - NN# /5,000 - shrink wrap? 4k? 5k Sets?
1991 Topps Gallery of Champions Pewter Bonus Rickey Henderson - Promo/Premium to dealers.
1991 Topps Gallery of Champions Aluminum - Set of 12.
1991 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze - COA SN# /5,000 ??
1991 Topps Gallery of Champions Silver - COA SN# /1,000


Topps Finest -- 1993-?
1993 Finest Promos - NN# /5,000
1993 Finest - NN# /25,800 - 199-card set. 4k cases? 12 boxes per case? 18 packs per box? 6 cards per pack?
1993 Finest Refractor - NN# /241** - Odds 1:15 packs? 1:18 packs? Piazza late addition?
1993 Finest Jumbo - NN# /1,450 -


Topps Stadium Club -- 1991-?
1991 Stadium Club Promos - NN# /600+
1991 Stadium Club - NN# /xxx,xxx - 600-card, two series.
1991 Stadium Club Charter Members Bronze Premium Nolan Ryan -
1992 Stadium Club - NN# /xxx,xxx - 900-card set, three series.
1992 Stadium Club East Coast National - NN# /1,100 - 5-card cello packs.
1992 Stadium Club National Convention - NN# /200 - 4-card cello packs.
1992 Stadium Club Master Photos - NN# /xxx - Membership and box-topper.
1993 Stadium Club - NN# /100,000+ - 750-card set, three series.
1993 Stadium Club 1st Day Production - NN# /2,000 - odds 1-per box?
1993 Stadium Club Master Photos - NN# /xxx - Membership and box-topper.


Topps Gallery -- (Includes Topps Embossed)
1995 Topps Embossed - NN# /xxx - Product debut. T-MB.
1995 Topps Embossed Golden Idols - NN# /xxx
1996 Topps Gallery - NN# /xxx - Product debut. 180-card set. 24-packs per box. 8-cards per pack.
1996 Topps Gallery Player's Private Issue - SN# /999** - Destroyed 400 sets, but random #s? Odds 1:8
1996 Topps Gallery Mickey Mantle Masterpiece - NN# /xxx - 1:48 odds
1997 Topps Gallery - NN# /xxx
1997 Topps Gallery Player's Private Issue - SN# /250 - Odds 1:12
1997 Topps Gallery Gallery of Heroes - NN# /xxx
1997 Topps Gallery Peter Max Serigraphs - NN# /xxx - 1:24 odds
1997 Topps Gallery Peter Max Serigraphs Signature Series - SN# /40 - 1:1200 odds
1998 Topps Gallery - NN# /xxx - 150-card set. 24-packs per box, 6-cards per pack.
1998 Topps Gallery Player's Private Issue - SN# /250
1998 Topps Gallery Gallery of Heroes - NN# /xxx - Jumbo box-topper.
1999 Topps Gallery - NN# /xxx - 150-card set. 24-packs per box, 6-cards per pack.
1999 Topps Gallery Player's Private Issue - SN# /250


Topps Living Set --
2018 Topps Living Set - NN# /xxx by player
2018 Topps Living Set Fine Art Print - SN# /100 by player
2019 Topps Living Set - NN# /xxx by player
2019 Topps Living Set Fine Art Print - SN# /100 by player
2020 Topps Living Set - NN# /xxx by player
2020 Topps Living Set Fine Art Print - SN# /100 by player


Project 2020 --
Project 2020 - Year-long program featuring 20 artists, 20 cards. https://www.topps.com/archive/project-2020-archive.html -
Project 2020 Andrew Thiele -
Project 2020 Ben Baller -
Project 2020 Blake Jamieson -
Project 2020 Don C -
Project 2020 EfDot -
Project 2020 Ermsy -
Project 2020 Fucci -
Project 2020 Gregory Siff -
Project 2020 Grotesk -
Project 2020 Jacob Rochester -
Project 2020 JK5 -
Project 2020 Joshua Vides -
Project 2020 Keith Shore -
Project 2020 King Saladeen -
Project 2020 Matt Taylor -
Project 2020 Mister Cartoon -
Project 2020 Naturel -
Project 2020 Oldmanalan -
Project 2020 Sophia Chang -
Project 2020 Tyson Beck -


-- -- -- --


Bowman (Includes Bowman, Bowman Chrome, etc) - Acquired by Topps in XXXX.

Bowman - "Junkwax" - 1989-XXXX? Base Sets, Subsets?
1989 Bowman - NN# /xxx
1989 Bowman Tiffany - NN# /6,000
1990 Bowman - NN# /xxx
1990 Bowman Tiffany - NN# /6,000
1991 Bowman - NN# /xxx


-- -- -- --


Donruss (Includes Donruss, Leaf and Studio) (Thru 1998) - Acquired by Huhtamäki Oyj in 1983. Merged into Leaf Inc. Acquired by Pinnacle Brands in 1996. Filed for bankruptcy in 1998. Acquired by Panini Group in 2009.

Donruss - Modern Vintage - 1981-1985? Base Sets, Subsets?
1981 Donruss - NN# /xxx
1982 Donruss - NN# /400,000+
1983 Donruss - NN# /450,000+
1983 Donruss Hall of Fame Heroes - NN# /35,000+ - 44-card set. 8-cards per pack.
1984 Donruss - NN# /350,000+
1985 Donruss - NN# /450,000+


Donruss - "Junk Wax" - 1986-1994 ? Base Sets, Diamond Kings - 1982-1998 (?), Elite Series - 1991-1998 (?)
1986 Donruss - NN# /500,000+
1987 Donruss - NN# /750,000+
1988 Donruss - NN# /1,000,000+
1989 Donruss - NN# /1,000,000+
1990 Donruss - NN# /2,000,000+
1991 Donruss - NN# /2,500,000+
1991 Donruss Elite - SN# /10,000
1991 Donruss Signature Series Ryne Sandberg - SN# /5,000
1992 Donruss - NN# /2,000,000+
1992 Donruss Diamond Kings - NN# /450,000+ - pack odds 1:9
1992 Donruss Elite - SN# /10,000 - pack odds 1:1,000+
1992 Donruss Signature Series Cal Ripken - SN# /5,000 - pack odds 1:12,500
1993 Donruss - NN# /2,000,000+
1993 Donruss Diamond Kings - NN# /
1993 Donruss Elite - SN# /10,000
1993 Donruss Signature Series Will Clark - SN# /5,000
1993 Donruss Elite Jumbo/Super - SN# /5,000
1994 Donruss Promos - NN# /3,500+
1994 Donruss - NN# /475,000 - "Less than 17,500 cases of each series" "Lowest since 1985" - 660-card set.
1994 Donruss Special Edition - NN# /xxx - Pack odds 1:1
1994 Donruss Diamond Kings - NN# /185,000 - 30-card set, 1:9 odds
1994 Donruss Elite - SN# /10,000
1995 Donruss - NN# /xxx,xxx
1996 Donruss - NN# /xxx,xxx


Leaf - Modern Vintage "Canadian Era"
1985 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1986 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1987 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1988 Leaf - NN# /xxx+


Leaf - "Junkwax"
1990 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1991 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1992 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1993 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1994 Leaf - NN# /xxx+
1995 Leaf - NN# /xxx+


Leaf Limited
1994 Leaf Limited - NN# /36,375 - 160-Card Set. 60,000 boxes, 20 packs per box, 5 cards per pack.
1994 Leaf Limited Gold - SN# /10,000 - 18-card set.
1994 Leaf Limited Rookies - NN# /36,875 - 80-Card Set. 30,000 boxes.
1994 Leaf Limited Rookies - Phenoms - SN# /5,000 - 10-card set.
1995 Leaf Limited - NN# /xxx,xxx - 2-Series of 96-Cards, 45,000 Boxes Each - Cards per pack?
1995 Leaf Limited Gold - 1:1 Odds, 24-Card Set
1995 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks - SN# /5,000
1995 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks Black - SN# /500
1996 Leaf Limited - NN# /65,000+ - 45,000 boxes, 28 packs per box, 5 cards per pack.
1996 Leaf Limited Gold - 1:11 packs. NN# /1,275
1996 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks - SN# /5,000
1996 Leaf Limited Lumberjacks Black - SN# /500
1996 Leaf Limited Pennant Craze - SN# /2,500


Studio
1991 Studio - NN# /xxx+
1992 Studio - NN# /xxx+
1992 Studio Heritage -
1993 Studio - NN# /450,000+
1993 Studio Heritage -
1994 Studio - NN# /300,000+ 220-card set. 8,000 cases. 20 boxes per case. 35% reduction. Baseball strike?
1994 Studio Series Stars Silver - NN# /10,000
1994 Studio Series Stars Gold - SN# /5,000
1995 Studio - NN# /140,000+ - Baseball strike? 8,000 cases? 36-packs per box. 5-cards per pack.
1995 Studio Gold - NN# /115,000+ - Seeded 1:1
1995 Studio Platinum - NN# /20,000+ - Seeded 1:10 pack odds
1996 Studio - NN# /xxx+ - Acquired by Pinnacle Brands...
1996 Studio Bronze - NN# /2,000
1996 Studio Gold - NN# /500
1996 Studio Silver - NN# /100
1996 Studio Masterstrokes - SN# /5,000
1997 Studio - NN# /xxx+
1997 Studio Masterstrokes - SN# /2,000
1998 Studio - NN# /xxx+
1998 Studio Masterstrokes - SN# /1,000


-- -- -- --


Fleer (Includes Fleer, SkyBox, Flair and Ultra) - Acquired SkyBox International in 1995.

Fleer -- Vintage - 1960-? Base sets?
1960 Fleer Baseball Greats - NN# /xxx+
1961 Fleer Baseball Greats - NN# /xxx - 1961-1962
1963 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1963 Fleer Checklist SP - NN# /xxx+
1972 Fleer Famous Feats - NN# /xxx+
1975 Fleer Pioneers of Baseball - NN# /xxx+


Fleer Modern Vintage - 1981-1985? Base sets?
1981 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1982 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1983 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1984 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1984 Fleer Update - NN# /12,000+ ???
1985 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1985 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+


Fleer "Junk Wax" - 1986-1992? Base Sets, Subsets?
1986 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1986 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1986 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1986 Fleer Star Stickers - NN# /xxx+
1987 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1987 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1987 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1988 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1988 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1988 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1989 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1989 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1989 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1990 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1990 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1990 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1991 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1991 Fleer All-Star Team - NN# /xxx+
1991 Fleer ProVisions - NN# /xxx+
1991 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1992 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1992 Fleer All-Stars - NN# /xxx+
1992 Fleer Update - NN# /xxx+
1993 Fleer - NN# /xxx+
1994 Fleer - NN# /xxx+


Fleer Ultra
1991 Ultra - NN# /xxx+
1992 Ultra - NN# /xxx+
1992 Ultra Commemorative Series Tony Gwynn Promo Sheet - SN# /100,000
1992 Ultra Commemorative Series Tony Gwynn -
1992 Ultra Commemorative Series Tony Gwynn Auto - NN# /2,000 Total
1993 Ultra - NN# /xxx+
1993 Ultra Home Run Kings - 10-card set, Pack Odds 1:18
1993 Ultra Strikeout Kings - 5-card set, Pack Odds 1:18
1993 Ultra Commemorative Series Dennis Eckersley - Pack Odds 1:18
1993 Ultra Commemorative Series Dennis Eckersley Auto - NN# /2,000 Total


Flair
1993 Flair Promos - NN# /xxx+
1993 Flair - NN# /xxx+
1994 Flair - NN# /xxx+
1994 Flair Hot Numbers -
1994 Flair Wave of the Future -
1995 Flair - NN# /xxx+
1996 Flair - NN# /xxx+
1997 Flair - NN# /xxx+
1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection - SN# /100


SkyBox
1995 Emotion - NN# /xxx+
1996 E-XL - NN# /xxx+
1996 E-XL Legion of Boom -
1997 E-X 2000 - NN# /xxx+
1997 E-X 2000 Credentials - SN# /299
1997 E-X 2000 Essential Credentials - SN# /99
1998 E-X 2001 - NN# /xxx+
1998 E-X 2001 Essential Credentials Now - SN# /xxx
1998 E-X 2001 Essential Credentials Future - SN# /xxx


-- -- -- --


Pinnacle Brands (Includes Score, Select, Pinnacle and Zenith) - Bankruptcy proceedings in Jul-1998.

Score - "Junk Wax" - 1988-1993 ? Base Sets, Subsets?
1988 Score - NN# /xxx+
1989 Score - NN# /xxx+
1990 Score - NN# /xxx+
1991 Score - NN# /xxx+
1992 Score - NN# /xxx+
1993 Score - NN# /xxx+


Score - Modern - 1994-1998
1994 Score - NN# /xxx+
1994 Score Gold Rush -


Select
1993 Select Promos -
1993 Select - NN# /xxx+
1993 Select - Insert sets?
1993 Select Rookie/Traded - NN# /80,000 - 1,950 cases, 24 boxes/case, 46.8k boxes. 24 packs/box?
1993 Select Rookie/Traded All-Star Rookies - 1:58 packs
1993 Select Rookie/Traded Nolan Ryan Tribute - NN# /3,900 - 2/case? 1/case? 1:576 packs?
1993 Select Rookie/Traded ROY Tribute - NN# /1,950 - 1/case? 1/case? 1:576 packs?
1994 Select - NN# /160,000+ - 420-card set in 2-series. 4,950 cases, 24 boxes/cases, 24 packs/box, 12 cards/pack.
1994 Select - Crown Contenders -
1995 Select - NN# /xxx+
1996 Select - NN# /xxx+
1997 Select - NN# /xxx+


Select Certified (Includes Pinnacle Certified, Totally Certified)
1995 Select Certified -
1995 Select Certified Mirror Gold -
1996 Select Certified -
1996 Select Certified -
1996 Select Certified - Artist Proof NN# /500
1996 Select Certified - Red NN# /1800
1996 Select Certified - Blue NN# /180
1996 Select Certified Mirror Red - NN# /90
1996 Select Certified Mirror Blue - NN# /60
1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold - NN# /30
1997 Pinnacle Certified -
1997 Pinnacle Certified - Red - 1:5 packs
1997 Pinnacle Certified Mirror Red - 1:99 packs
1997 Pinnacle Certified Mirror Blue - 1:199 packs
1997 Pinnacle Certified Mirror Gold - 1:299 packs
1997 Totally Certified Platinum Red - SN# /3999
1997 Totally Certified Platinum Blue - SN# /1999
1997 Totally Certified Platinum Gold - SN# /30
1998 Pinnacle Certified -
1998 Totally Certified -


Summit
1995 Summit - NN# /xxx
1995 Summit Nth Degree -
1996 Summit - NN# /xxx
1996 Summit Artist's Proof -


Pinnacle
1992 Pinnacle - NN# /xxx+
1992 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle -
1993 Pinnacle - NN# /xxx+
1993 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle -
1993 Pinnacle Cooperstown - Boxed Set.
1993 Pinnacle Home Run Club - NN# /200,000 - Boxed Set.
1994 Pinnacle - NN# /xxx+
1994 Pinnacle Artist's Proof - NN# /1,000
1994 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle -
1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection -
1994 Pinnacle The Naturals - NN# /100,000 - Boxed Set.
1995 Pinnacle - NN# /xxx+
1995 Pinnacle Artist's Proof - NN# /1,000
1995 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle -
1995 Pinnacle Museum Collection -
1996 Pinnacle - NN# /xxx+
1996 Pinnacle Starburst -
1996 Pinnacle Starburst Artist's Proof -
1996 Pinnacle Team Pinnacle -
1996 Pinnacle Pinnacle Power -
1996 Pinnacle Cal Ripken Tribute -
1997 New Pinnacle - Base? Extended?
1997 New Pinnacle Artist's Proof - Red / Blue / Green - NN# /xxx /xxx /xxx
1997 New Pinnacle Museum Collection -
1997 New Pinnacle Press Plates -
1997 Pinnacle Mint Collection -
1997 Pinnacle Mint Collection Coins -


Zenith
1995 Zenith Samples - NN# /xxx
1995 Zenith - NN# /xxx
1995 Zenith Z-Team - 1:72 odds
1996 Zenith - NN# /xxx
1996 Zenith Artist's Proof -
1996 Zenith Z-Team - 1:72 odds
1996 Zenith Z-Team Samples - NN# /xxx
1997 Zenith - NN# /xxx
1997 Zenith 8x10 -
1997 Zenith 8x10 Dufex -
1997 Zenith V-2 -
1997 Zenith Z-Team - SN# /1,000
1998 Zenith - NN# /xxx
1998 Zenith Z-Silver -
1998 Zenith Z-Gold - SN# /100
1998 Zenith 5x7 -
1998 Zenith 5x7 Impulse -
1998 Zenith 5x7 Gold Impulse - SN# /100
1998 Zenith Z-Team -


-- -- -- --


Upper Deck

Upper Deck - 1989-1995
1989 Upper Deck - NN# /1,000,000+
1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr - NN# /1,000,000+
1990 Upper Deck - NN# /1,000,000+
1990 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Reggie Jackson Auto - SN# /2,500
1991 Upper Deck - NN# /2,500,000+
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Hank Aaron Auto - SN# /2,500
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Nolan Ryan Auto - SN# /2,500
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Harmon Killebrew Auto - SN# /3,000
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Gaylord Perry Auto - SN# /3,000
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Fergie Jenkins Auto - SN# /3,000
1992 Upper Deck -
1992 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Ted Williams Auto - SN# /2,500
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Lou Brock Auto - SN# /3,000
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Vida Blue Auto - SN# /3,000
1991 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Rollie Fingers Auto - SN# /3,000
1993 Upper Deck -
1993 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Willie Mays - NN# /xxx
1993 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Reggie Jackson Supers - SN# /10,000
1993 Upper Deck Iooss Collection -
1993 Upper Deck Iooss Collection Supers - SN# /10,000
1994 Upper Deck -
1994 Upper Deck Electric Diamond - Seeded 1 per pack
1994 Upper Deck 5th Anniversary -
1994 Upper Deck 5th Anniversary Ken Griffey Jr Jumbo - SN# /5,000 Correct year?
1995 Upper Deck -
1999 Upper Deck HoloGrFX - Product debut.


Collector's Choice
1994 Collector's Choice - Product debut.
1995 Collector's Choice -
1995 Collector's Choice Special Edition -


Ovation
1999 Upper Deck Ovation - Product debut.
2000 Upper Deck Ovation -


-- -- -- --


Action Packed -- Acquired by Pinnacle Brands in 1995

Action Packed
1988 Action Packed Test -
1992 Action Packed All Star Gallery Promos -
1992 Action Packed All Star Gallery -
1992 Action Packed All Star Gallery Gold -


Card Collectors Company -- C.C.C. Reprint Sets
1983 C.C.C. 1953 Bowman -
1986 C.C.C. 1951 Bowman -
1987 C.C.C. 1952 Bowman -
1988 C.C.C. 1959 Home Run Derby -


Collect-A-Books --
1990 Collect-A-Books -


Home Run Derby -- "Golden Era" -- American Motor Cars auto dealership giveaway.
1959 Home Run Derby - 20-card set.


Kellogg's -- "Vintage" Era -- Cereal packages
1970 Kellogg's - 75-card set.
1971 Kellogg's - 75-card set.
1972 Kellogg's - 54-card set.
1972 Kellogg's All-Time Baseball Greats - 15-card set. See Rold Gold.
1973 Kellogg's - 54-card set. Normal printing.
1974 Kellogg's - 54-card set.
1975 Kellogg's - 57-card set.
1976 Kellogg's - 57-card set.
1977 Kellogg's - 57-card set.
1978 Kellogg's - 57-card set.
1979 Kellogg's - 60-card set.
1980 Kellogg's - 60-card set.


Pacific -- The Pacific Trading Card Co.

Pacific (Includes Pacific Crown Collection) -- "MLB License" Era
1993 Pacific -
1993 Pacific Prism -
1994 Pacific Crown -
1995 Pacific Crown -
1996 Pacific Crown -
1997 Pacific Crown -
1998 Pacific Crown -


Pacific Prism (Includes Pacific Invincible, Pacific Aurora) --
1995 Pacific Prism - NN# /15,000 - Sold in single-card packs for $1.75/pack. Production limited to 2,999 cases of 36-pack boxes. Boxes per case?
1995 Pacific Prism Team Logos - NN# /60,000+
1996 Pacific Prism -
1996 Pacific Prism Gold - Seeded 1 per 18 packs?


Perez-Steel Galleries --

Perez-Steele
1985-1995 Perez Steele Great Moments - SN# /10,000
1989 Perez Steele Celebrations - SN# /10,000


Perez-Steele Hall of Fame Postcards
1980-2001 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards - SN# /10,000
1980 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards First Series - SN# /10,000 - 1980
1980 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Second Series - SN# /10,000 - 1980
1980 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Third Series - SN# /10,000 - 1980
1981 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Fourth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1981
1981 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Fifth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1981
1981 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Sixth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1981
1983 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Seventh Series - SN# /10,000 - 1983
1985 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Eigth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1985
1987 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Ninth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1987
1989 Perez Steele Hall of Fame Postcards Tenth Series - SN# /10,000 - 1989


Post Cereal -- "Vintage" & "Modern" Era -- Cereal packages
1990 Post - 30-card set?


Starting Lineup --
1988 Starting Lineup -
1988 Starting Lineup Unissued -
1989 Starting Lineup -
1990 Starting Lineup -
1990 Starting Lineup Rookie Year -
1991 Starting Lineup -
1992 Starting Lineup -

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Old 04-08-2020, 04:09 PM
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I am not 100% sure they are not still printing 1988 Donruss, 1990 Fleer, and 1991 Topps.
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Old 04-08-2020, 04:50 PM
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Jason: It would be great to have as many print runs as we know listed in one spot to refer too. As a past dealer I have many press releases as I'm sure others on here have. I'll start to look for a few. I do have a couple available which I will start posting later.
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Old 04-08-2020, 05:08 PM
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Let's get started: I think this is what you were looking for. From a press release from LEaf/Donruss:
1994 Leaf Limited Foil Boxes ( 60,000)
1994 Leaf Limited Rookies Foil Boxes ( 30,000 )
1995 Leaf Limited Series One Foil Boxes ( 45,000)
1995 Leaf Limited Series Two Foil Boxes ( 45,000)
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File Type: jpg leaf limited production run.jpg (83.8 KB, 1137 views)
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Old 04-08-2020, 05:25 PM
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As far as the Topps Tiffany cards, here is an article regarding the print runs...

https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...baseball-cards

For the 1984s, an old article in a 1984 SCD mentioned there were only 5,000 sets....not likely true as I have one set #d "06393". The 1991s have been rumored to have a print run between 3,000 and 5,000.....the highest #d set I have is "3176". Since the 84s have a 5 digit serial number I would go with the 10,000 print run and with the 91s having a 4 digit serial number, a print run of 5k would be a reasonable assumption.


Here is another thread that discusses some 1950s Topps print runs:
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=268386
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Old 04-08-2020, 07:46 PM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
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Amazing stuff! For right now I'm just going to keep editing the initial post as information comes

Re: savedfrommyspokes on the Tiffany sets - I'd always heard it as

1984 - 10k
1985 - cut production to 5k
1986 - 5k
1987 - 25k-30k
1988 - 25k-30k
1989 - 25k (15k Traded?)
1990 - ?
1991 - 5k?

Any idea on the "send-away" All-Star Glossy sets? 1983-1990?

Last edited by JUrsaner; 04-08-2020 at 07:53 PM.
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Old 04-09-2020, 01:25 PM
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Here's a few more :
1996 Leaf Limited ( 45,000 foil boxes)
1993 Score Select Rookie & Traded Foil Boxes (1950 #'d cases/24 boxes ea) = 46,800 Foil Boxes
1994 Score Select Series One Foil Boxes( 4950 /24 box cases ) = 118,800 Foil Boxes.
1994 Score Select Series Two Foil Boxes ( 4950 /24 box cases ) = 118,800 Foil Boxes.
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Old 04-10-2020, 10:09 AM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
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Hoping to also move more into the great unknown with estimates of the base years everyone knows/loves.

So going to start adding some loose estimates starting from 1975 Topps. Read somewhere that Sy Berger had remarked in a book/interview (source?) that Topps printed 500m cards in 1975. Might have been figurative... but also seems possible. Would be ~750k/card. Need to assume a certain % was "consumed" by the hobby - used, creased, lost, thrown away... to get to current stockpile

Any thoughts/input on starting to estimate the vintage/junk wax base sets for Topps - much appreciated.
Just threw in 750k/card for modern vintage and 1m/card for junk wax for right now

I'd also love to try to back into production #s for some of the "common" insert sets from the 90s

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Old 04-10-2020, 11:16 AM
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I would like to address the years 1989 Upper Deck base and 1990 Topps base. I have done some research into the printing of 1990 Topps. Also, Pete Williams' "Card Sharks" gave readers an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the production of 1989 Upper Deck. According to the book, the initial release of 1989 Upper Deck was for around 125,000 cases. That's 1.4 billion cards. That's around 2 million of each card in the 700 card first series. Now we know they couldn't keep up with demand and continued printing. For argument's sake, let's say they doubled the initial print run and made 4 million of each card (2.8 billion total cards printed). One source inside the industry claimed that 81 billion trading cards were printed by the late '80s and early 90's.

Maybe someone else can estimate the market share of each sport in 1990. But say Topps printed 1/4 of the 81 billion trading cards printed. That's 20 billion trading cards in 1990. Let's then say that the breakdown was 40% baseball cards, 25% football and 25% hockey and 10% non-sports. That's 8 billion baseball cards. Say Topps base was 80% of that. 6.6 billion cards of a 792 card set would be a print run of 8.3 million of each card. Personally I feel that is a conservative estimate and wouldn't be surprised if the print run of each base card of 1990 Topps baseball was 15 million.

Looking at the current unopened market, it does appear to me that 1990 Topps is at least 2-3 times more plentiful than 1989 Upper Deck.

Last edited by West; 04-10-2020 at 11:18 AM.
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Old 04-11-2020, 02:21 PM
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@West - That is what I'm talking about! Love that post - gives a lot to think about for estimates

Was that claim of 80b+ trading cards supposedly an annual figure?
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Old 04-11-2020, 04:11 PM
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Why not call the companies? They might just tell you.
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Old 04-11-2020, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post

I'd also love to try to back into production #s for some of the "common" insert sets from the 90s
If a set has any numbered inserts, and stated odds, you can figure out approximate numbers for everything else.

It does get complicated once the companies started doing different odds for different products and different inserts for different packaging/retail exclusives, but a rough figure is possible.

Other years it may be possible to get a very approximate figure by figuring out what each card wholesaled for and if the annual report includes a breakdown of how much in sales was Baseball cards. But only a very rough estimate, since the per card price was very different between wax/cellos/racks/vending.
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Old 04-12-2020, 05:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
@West - That is what I'm talking about! Love that post - gives a lot to think about for estimates

Was that claim of 80b+ trading cards supposedly an annual figure?
It was an annual figure. I've seen it reported in several places, here is one link:

https://slate.com/culture/2010/03/th...rd-bubble.html

"Unfortunately for investors, each one of those cards was being printed in astronomical numbers. The card companies were shrewd enough never to disclose how many cards they were actually producing, but even conservative estimates put the number well into the billions. One trade magazine estimated the tally at 81 billion trading cards per year in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, or more than 300 cards for every American annually. "

I'm not sure what trade magazine the original estimate came from. Could we posit that Topps produced as much as 40% of that 81 billion? I know there was a ton of Fleer, Donruss and Score out there, but Topps had been the industry leader for decades and Upper Deck was just getting on its feet. Some kind of market share data (or an annual report, as Steve B mentioned) from that era would get a better estimate.

Since Topps became publicly traded I was able to download annual reports from as far back as 1995. But the junk wax era reports are not available as Topps was privately held at that time and employees and subcontractors all had strict non-disclosure stipulations in their contracts.
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Old 04-12-2020, 05:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nat View Post
Why not call the companies? They might just tell you.
Very few, if any employees remain from the pre-1995 era. Some undoubtedly have passed away. I've reached out to several folks who were involved with the industry. I was only able to get one person to respond.

This is the most helpful article I've found in which a former employee has gone on the record about information that was not publicly available at the time.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...hn-tassoni-jr/

I'm not aware of any other articles that go behind the scenes of production, besides a Topps Magazine piece from 1991 that was more of a publicity piece. I shared that article in a different thread.
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Old 04-12-2020, 08:00 PM
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Take this info for what its worth but its from some research I did awhile back.

1975 Topps: 380,000 sets (Source: Beckett 3 estimate published 1981)
1979 Topps: 315,000 sets (Source: Beckett 3 estimate published 1981)
1991 Donruss: 5mm sets (Estimate from extrapolating from print run of Elite, average number of cases for the hit)
1992 Donruss: 5mm sets (see above)
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Old 04-12-2020, 08:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by West View Post
Very few, if any employees remain from the pre-1995 era. Some undoubtedly have passed away. I've reached out to several folks who were involved with the industry. I was only able to get one person to respond.

This is the most helpful article I've found in which a former employee has gone on the record about information that was not publicly available at the time.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...hn-tassoni-jr/

I'm not aware of any other articles that go behind the scenes of production, besides a Topps Magazine piece from 1991 that was more of a publicity piece. I shared that article in a different thread.
I have several friends and a few relatives that worked for Score for years. They all cared about cards as much as most of us care about playing with Barbie dolls.

Even when working there they knew little to nothing about anything but the crappy job they done. Now about the only thing most remember is Score gave them those "damn worthless" cards instead of bonuses for Christmas(holidays).
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Old 04-12-2020, 10:22 PM
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If I recall correctly, Donruss in its advertising for the 1992 set claimed that it was scaling back production to 1985 levels, so I am pretty sure there is less 1992 Donruss out there than there was for the years immediately preceding it.
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Old 04-13-2020, 12:05 AM
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That would be interesting if we could find a source for that because I'd actually calculated a bunch of the junk wax years based off 1992 Donruss. I think that print figure of 2m/card is going to be fairly accurate because can back into it from Elite. Odds were never stated but a lot of empirical evidence of around 1:1.5x per case

Would mean even higher numbers for 1989-1991
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Old 04-13-2020, 12:58 PM
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Donruss and Leaf cut back stating with the year 1994. I'll post shortly with their releases.
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Old 04-13-2020, 01:07 PM
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Here's some more numbers based on Donruss/Leaf Media releases ( see scans):

1994 Donruss Series 1 : < 17,500/20 box cases = < 350,000 boxes
1994 Donruss Series 2 : < 17,500/20 box cases = < 350,000 boxes
1994 Leaf Series 1 : < 19,000/20 box cases = < 380,000 boxes
1994 Leaf Series 2 : < 19,000/20 box cases = < 380,000 boxes

The Leaf production was decreased by 25% from the previous year , therefore:
1993 Leaf Series 1 : around 25,000/20 box cases = around 500,000 boxes
1993 Leaf Series 2 : around 25,000/20 box cases = around 500,000 boxes

Note: 1994 Donruss production was the lowest since 1985 Donruss. So 1986-1993 Donruss had higher production.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 94 donruss production.jpg (73.1 KB, 1024 views)
File Type: jpg 94 donruss history production.jpg (94.8 KB, 1024 views)
File Type: jpg 94 leaf production.jpg (75.5 KB, 1022 views)
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Old 04-13-2020, 01:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by homerunderby View Post
Take this info for what its worth but its from some research I did awhile back.

1975 Topps: 380,000 sets (Source: Beckett 3 estimate published 1981)
1979 Topps: 315,000 sets (Source: Beckett 3 estimate published 1981)
1991 Donruss: 5mm sets (Estimate from extrapolating from print run of Elite, average number of cases for the hit)
1992 Donruss: 5mm sets (see above)
Hadn't seen this comment, but tried to incorporate into ranges. I'd calculated closer to 2m sets for 1992 Donruss extrapolated from the Elite print run - although have read 1992 production was reduced from prior years

The 2 million estimate is essentially equivalent to 1:1.5x case odds for Elite (excl. legend/signature series)
1 case = 20 boxes
1 box = 36 packs
1 pack = 15 cards

1 case = 20 boxes = 720 packs = 10,800 cards
1 Elite = 1.5x case odds = 16,200
10x Player Elite Set /10,000 = 100,000 Elite Cards = ~1.6b cards
792-card set (including Series 2 "bonus cards") = /2,000,000+ per card

Last edited by JUrsaner; 04-13-2020 at 01:35 PM.
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Old 04-13-2020, 04:43 PM
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1994 Studio : Total 8,000/20 box cases = 160,000 boxes
6,000 Hobby and 2,000 Retail

35% reduction from 1993 Studio

1993 Studio : Estimated 12,500 /20 box cases = 250,000 boxes
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 94 studio production.jpg (77.0 KB, 1013 views)
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Old 04-13-2020, 04:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
Hadn't seen this comment, but tried to incorporate into ranges. I'd calculated closer to 2m sets for 1992 Donruss extrapolated from the Elite print run - although have read 1992 production was reduced from prior years

The 2 million estimate is essentially equivalent to 1:1.5x case odds for Elite (excl. legend/signature series)
1 case = 20 boxes
1 box = 36 packs
1 pack = 15 cards

1 case = 20 boxes = 720 packs = 10,800 cards
1 Elite = 1.5x case odds = 16,200
10x Player Elite Set /10,000 = 100,000 Elite Cards = ~1.6b cards
792-card set (including Series 2 "bonus cards") = /2,000,000+ per card
It all depends on the odds for the Elite, this article claims 1 Elite for every 75 boxes, which I think is closer to the truth. I didn't keep the worksheet for the math but I think this article is what I based it on. I guess you have to figure in the number of factory sets also, which I guestimate at about 100k-200k. https://baseballcardpedia.nfshost.co...sertion_Ratios

The article on 1992 Donruss at Baseballcardpedia notes that it is believed that Elite came 1:55 boxes, which jibes with the lower production runs claimed.

Another thing to think about is were there retail returns and how many? Were a large amount of the returns destroyed? Cases of this stuff was available in the mid-late 90's for $20 in any kind of quantity. We'll never know exactly.
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Old 04-13-2020, 05:09 PM
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Odds were never stated, but odds of 1:55 boxes would be close to 1:2000 packs. Take almost 3 cases per Elite? I've never pulled one, so just guessing, but that seems higher than observed odds from most people who have done multiple case breaks, etc.

Agree that there are a lot of variables. The factory sets is something I hadn't thought much about. Bigger question for me is how much has been "consumed" by kids / the hobby over the past 25-30 years. For instance, I know that I threw away almost all of my base cards from the late 1980s-1990s after my parents sold their house - and very few of them were in gem mint condition anyway. I'd imagine a huge number of cards have had similar fate - although not enough to make a big enough dent in production figures

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Old 04-13-2020, 05:18 PM
homerunderby homerunderby is offline
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Who knows ultimately. It's my opinion that the BaseballCardPedia numbers are pretty close. Problem with case breaks is that you would have to break 50-100 cases to even get an educated guess on the ratio of Elite.

Anyway I reran the numbers based on the BaseballCardPedia numbers. In 1991 you would effectively get 55 sets per Elite, in 1992 I guessed about 35-40 per Elite.

That gave me a number close to 5mm of each 1991 and 4.2mm of each 1992. There are a lot of variables I don't know, like rack packs, cello packs, factory sets, etc, but it sounds right that 1992 Donruss have a lower (but still ridiculously high) print run than 1991.
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Old 04-13-2020, 08:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insidethewrapper View Post
1994 Studio : Total 8,000/20 box cases = 160,000 boxes
6,000 Hobby and 2,000 Retail

35% reduction from 1993 Studio

1993 Studio : Estimated 12,500 /20 box cases = 250,000 boxes
I love the Silver and Gold stars series. Traded for a silver Juan Gonzalez - was my first ever "serial numbered" card
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Old 04-14-2020, 01:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
That would be interesting if we could find a source for that because I'd actually calculated a bunch of the junk wax years based off 1992 Donruss. I think that print figure of 2m/card is going to be fairly accurate because can back into it from Elite. Odds were never stated but a lot of empirical evidence of around 1:1.5x per case

Would mean even higher numbers for 1989-1991
Yeah, its possible I'm remembering that wrong and getting it mixed up with another set.

This is going to bother me though as I definitely remember reading an ad (probably in one of the major hobby publications) in 1992 claiming that a set that year was being limited to 1985 production levels. Maybe it was Leaf or Fleer, I bought a lot of packs of them that year too.
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Old 04-14-2020, 08:51 AM
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It looks like it was 1994 Donruss

Go up to Insidethewrapper's post with images. Tried to incorporate that into some of the ranges on the list
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Old 04-14-2020, 12:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes View Post
As far as the Topps Tiffany cards, here is an article regarding the print runs...

https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...baseball-cards

For the 1984s, an old article in a 1984 SCD mentioned there were only 5,000 sets....not likely true as I have one set #d "06393". The 1991s have been rumored to have a print run between 3,000 and 5,000.....the highest #d set I have is "3176". Since the 84s have a 5 digit serial number I would go with the 10,000 print run and with the 91s having a 4 digit serial number, a print run of 5k would be a reasonable assumption.


Here is another thread that discusses some 1950s Topps print runs:
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=268386
Going to dig into the production numbers of the Topps vintage sets later this week

-- https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=268386 -- 1950s
-- https://boblemke.blogspot.com/2013/0...vered.html?m=1
-- https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/fi...ges744-855.pdf -- FTC Complaint 1965
-- https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=266800 -- 1960s
-- https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-baseball-card

Last edited by JUrsaner; 04-14-2020 at 04:50 PM.
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Old 04-14-2020, 10:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
It looks like it was 1994 Donruss

Go up to Insidethewrapper's post with images. Tried to incorporate that into some of the ranges on the list
That kind of makes sense, but I stopped collecting in 1993 and am sure it was for a set from before that year.

Just looking at this entry from baseballcardpedia it does state that Donruss reduced production in 1992:

http://baseballcardpedia.com/index.php/Donruss

"In 1992, with sales of standard card lines plunging in the face of more attractive higher-end versions, Donruss announced that it was severely curtailing its production and doubling their flagship set's retail price to 99 cents a pack."

They don't give a source for that so I don't know what that statement is based on, but it does jive with my memory. I bet if anyone has any old hobby publications around from 1992, or maybe some Donruss promotional stuff from that year (I worked in a card shop at the time and we used to get that stuff) they might find something with an announcement like that.
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Old 04-15-2020, 08:59 AM
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Production numbers were high for most products from 1986-1991. I think 1991 had to be the highest. As Score was introduced in 1988 and Upper Deck in 1989 etc. I think Topps-Fleer-Donruss tried to take up all the shelf space and dealers money. I'm sure production was lower in 1992 and really went down in 1994 and 1995 because of the baseball strike and no World Series 1994. I'll try to find the 1992 Donruss news release.
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Old 04-15-2020, 09:16 AM
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Here's what I found:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1992 donruss 3.jpg (71.4 KB, 943 views)
File Type: jpg 1992 donruss 2.jpg (71.5 KB, 941 views)
File Type: jpg 1992 donruss 1.jpg (79.0 KB, 942 views)
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Old 04-15-2020, 11:17 AM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insidethewrapper View Post
Here's what I found:
Amazing finds! Wording is very specific in some of those PRs but gives a lot to think about. I will try to incorporate into the estimates later

For the "In 1992, Donruss printed fewer cards than in any year since 1987" - how do you interpret that in terms of base set production vs. extended specialty / traded / oddball sets like "The Rookies" which it mentions in the next bullet. Trying to square that language with the 1994 media statement "total quantity of Donruss cards produced in the 1994 Production Year is less than [...] 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Production Years [...] even after excluding specialty sets [...]" - which also included a case count for each series (17,500) for the first time ever.

For 1992, sounds like just started to roll some of the specialty sets into base card production, probably in order to keep that production up so total quantity of all card sets in 1992 combined was (higher than 1987) less than 1988... but doesn't say much more than that. 1994 statement is more specific saying that total 1994 production of base and specialty sets was lower than just base production of the preceding years

Also makes it sound like 1984 Donruss may have been a cut from 1983 Production?

I had already included a 20% reduction from 1991 Donruss --> 1992 Donruss and then a fairly big drop in 1994 in the estimates. Sounds like 1991 may have been the peak for base card production..

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Old 04-15-2020, 09:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insidethewrapper View Post
Here's what I found:
Ah thanks a lot for posting that, I knew I had seen something like that 28 years ago. Guess I got the years mixed up, 1987 instead of 1985, but I was pretty sure it had been in relation to 1992 Donruss.
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Old 04-17-2020, 02:27 PM
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2002 Donruss Diamond Kings -estimated 41,000 Hobby Boxes based on one Numbered Diamond Cut Auto/Jersey/Bat card per hobby box.
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File Type: jpg DC-97.jpg (76.9 KB, 902 views)
File Type: jpg DC-27.jpg (77.2 KB, 902 views)
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Old 04-18-2020, 06:34 PM
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Got an interesting lead off an old thread on another board. In the early 80's wax and cello packs had a contest card which told both how many prizes and the odds. Off of that you can extrapolate out some figures that will give some idea of the relationship in print runs over the years.

1981 Topps: (Wax Only) 3,012,050 prizes, 1:17 packs x 15 cards-pack/792 cards* 970,000 sets in wax

1982 Topps: No contest

1983 Topps: (Wax/Cello) 285,000 prizes, 1:140 packs x19cards-pack /792 cards 957,196 sets

1984 Topps (Wax/Cello) 20,000 batting gloves, 1:2,700 packs x19cards-pack 1,295,000 sets

1985 Topps (Wax/Cello) 2,000 fielding gloves, 1:25,000 packsx19cards-pack 1,200,000 sets

1986-1991 Topps Contest had no odds, based on sent-in entries

1992 Topps (All Packs) 6 grand prizes, 1:41,666,667 packsx21cards-pack 6,628,000 sets(!!!)

*- though there were only 726 cards in the set, 66 were double printed.

Where the contest cards came in multiple pack types I estimated the amount of cards per pack across the print run. My presumption was that wax is the great majority of the print run versus cello (and rack, etc for 1992).

This leaves out rack packs, vending boxes, and factory sets for the years they were produced. But it does give a starting point. If you held a gun to my head I'd add 25% to the 1981-83 print runs, and maybe 40% to the 1984-85 for the other packaging.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1993 Stadium Club: 1st Day Production: 2,000 sets 1:24 packsx14cards-pack 100,000 sets

Last edited by homerunderby; 04-18-2020 at 07:41 PM.
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Old 04-18-2020, 08:24 PM
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wow great stuff! Let me take a look through it and add it to the list

do you have pictures of the contest cards with the odds?

Last edited by JUrsaner; 04-18-2020 at 08:26 PM.
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Old 05-11-2020, 03:22 PM
Hooliganlv Hooliganlv is offline
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I would love to know the Leaf print runs in the mid 80s. The pop report for an 87 Bo Jackson and 87 Barry Bonds in PSA 10 are only in the 90s.

In contrast, their 87 Topps Tiffany PSA 10s are in the 300s.

Last edited by Hooliganlv; 05-11-2020 at 03:24 PM.
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Old 05-11-2020, 04:28 PM
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A question about the 1993 Finest Refractors - the PSA pop shows 282 for the Frank Thomas Refractor (#102) alone - could there be that many re-submissions? And would that many of them have been submitted?

EDIT - looks like there was a 2015 thread concerning this with crossovers and mislabels considered the most likely explanation.

Last edited by dave416; 05-11-2020 at 05:38 PM.
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Old 05-11-2020, 06:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave416 View Post
A question about the 1993 Finest Refractors - the PSA pop shows 282 for the Frank Thomas Refractor (#102) alone - could there be that many re-submissions? And would that many of them have been submitted?

EDIT - looks like there was a 2015 thread concerning this with crossovers and mislabels considered the most likely explanation.
The number cited in 1993 for the Finest Refractors are 241 each, which came 1:9 packs if I remember correctly.
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Old 05-11-2020, 07:21 PM
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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.
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Old 05-11-2020, 07:54 PM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooliganlv View Post
I would love to know the Leaf print runs in the mid 80s. The pop report for an 87 Bo Jackson and 87 Barry Bonds in PSA 10 are only in the 90s.

In contrast, their 87 Topps Tiffany PSA 10s are in the 300s.
I'd also be interested in this

Slowed down on this but going to add those sets to the list so I remember to come back to it
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Old 05-11-2020, 08:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by homerunderby View Post
The number cited in 1993 for the Finest Refractors are 241 each, which came 1:9 packs if I remember correctly.
IIRC the Finest Refractors were 1:24 (one per box) 1:9 would have increased the print run significantly

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Old 05-13-2020, 04:31 PM
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Ref: 1993 Topps Finest . Here's the numbers: 4,000 ( 12 box ) cases were produced = 48,000 boxes . These were 18ct boxes. Packs contained 6 cards ( five cards + one of the All-Star Cards ( # 84-116)
Odds of refractors were :1:9 packs or 2 per box or a total of 96,000 refractors /199 cards in the set = 482 each . Not sure why or where the 241 has been listed for years, the numbers indicate double that amonut at 482.

Total : 864,000 packs= 4,320,00 cards ( 26,024 of 166 of the cards in the set, and 26,182 of the 33 All-Star Cards (#84-116). About equal. Subtract the 482 each for refractors and you get about 25,500 of each.

5" x 7" Jumbo Cards ( 1 per box) = 48,000 Total. Only issued for the 33 card
All-Star cards. But one of 6 was with Special Foil. Therefore 40,000 were regular foil and 8,000 were Special enhanced Foil. Therefore 40,000/33 =1212 of each regular foil All-Star Jumbo and 8,000/33 = 242 of the Jumbo Special Enhanced Foil cards. NOTE: Maybe this is where that 241 number came up. It was with the Jumbo Refractors not the regular card Refractors. Are jumbo Refractors graded ??
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Old 05-20-2020, 06:04 PM
JUrsaner JUrsaner is offline
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Appreciate all the replies!

Haven't been able to focus on this for a little bit, but just added/updated a whole bunch of sets to the list. If anyone sees any sets where they can add info - don't be nervous to jump in. If anyone has sets you'd like to see added (for instance just added some of the early Upper Deck and Zenith) feel free to say that as well. Next step is hoping to add a bunch of misc. oddball sets

Kept the 1993 Finest Refractor at /241 for now, but have noticed the issue with that one as a non-numbered set for a long time. I'll revisit it later
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Old 05-21-2020, 06:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
Appreciate all the replies!

Haven't been able to focus on this for a little bit, but just added/updated a whole bunch of sets to the list. If anyone sees any sets where they can add info - don't be nervous to jump in. If anyone has sets you'd like to see added (for instance just added some of the early Upper Deck and Zenith) feel free to say that as well. Next step is hoping to add a bunch of misc. oddball sets

Kept the 1993 Finest Refractor at /241 for now, but have noticed the issue with that one as a non-numbered set for a long time. I'll revisit it later
Some detective work from Net54 member Zach Wheat regarding 1991 Topps and Desert Shield -

"The Feb 4, 1991 issue of The Pittsburgh Gazette indicates that "...the Topps cards were issued 2 Months prior..." (so Dec 1990) and that Topps had actually planned the shipment before the war (ie Desert Storm)
began. Timing dictated that Operation Desert Shield was over almost as soon as the cards arrived. In an article in the Myrtle Beach Air Star News, Topps spokesman Timm Boyle again mentions that approximately 5,400,00 cards were produced and that the entire allotment meant for the Air Force was returned to the base at Myrtle Beach unopened. This shipment accounted for approx. 1,500,000 cards. Boyle also mentioned that the production run was approx. 6,800 for each player (my math) or approx. 1/1,000th that of normal production."


If those quoted numbers are accurate, 5.4 million cards*1000 = total press run for 1991 Topps of 5.4 billion cards. 5.4 million / 792 = 6.8 million/card in 1991.

That seems plausible to me. We have found statements from Topps representatives in the early 1990s that were possibly exaggerations or outright falsehood. When they were engaged in a lawsuit concerning a George Bush card that made its way into hobby circulation, Topps claimed that all 1990 cards were printed at Duryea when we have evidence that they were subcontracted out to a plant in Rhode Island. It may seem like semantics but I wouldn't put it past them to underestimate total press run so as to make their cards look (a little) more scarce.
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Old 05-21-2020, 04:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by West View Post
Some detective work from Net54 member Zach Wheat regarding 1991 Topps and Desert Shield -

"The Feb 4, 1991 issue of The Pittsburgh Gazette indicates that "...the Topps cards were issued 2 Months prior..." (so Dec 1990) and that Topps had actually planned the shipment before the war (ie Desert Storm)
began. Timing dictated that Operation Desert Shield was over almost as soon as the cards arrived. In an article in the Myrtle Beach Air Star News, Topps spokesman Timm Boyle again mentions that approximately 5,400,00 cards were produced and that the entire allotment meant for the Air Force was returned to the base at Myrtle Beach unopened. This shipment accounted for approx. 1,500,000 cards. Boyle also mentioned that the production run was approx. 6,800 for each player (my math) or approx. 1/1,000th that of normal production."


If those quoted numbers are accurate, 5.4 million cards*1000 = total press run for 1991 Topps of 5.4 billion cards. 5.4 million / 792 = 6.8 million/card in 1991.

That seems plausible to me. We have found statements from Topps representatives in the early 1990s that were possibly exaggerations or outright falsehood. When they were engaged in a lawsuit concerning a George Bush card that made its way into hobby circulation, Topps claimed that all 1990 cards were printed at Duryea when we have evidence that they were subcontracted out to a plant in Rhode Island. It may seem like semantics but I wouldn't put it past them to underestimate total press run so as to make their cards look (a little) more scarce.
Great find! I bumped some of the estimates up for Topps during the junkwax years, although not quite to the 4-5m+ level yet. Going to look into it some more
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Old 05-26-2020, 12:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
Appreciate all the replies!

Haven't been able to focus on this for a little bit, but just added/updated a whole bunch of sets to the list. If anyone sees any sets where they can add info - don't be nervous to jump in. If anyone has sets you'd like to see added (for instance just added some of the early Upper Deck and Zenith) feel free to say that as well. Next step is hoping to add a bunch of misc. oddball sets

Kept the 1993 Finest Refractor at /241 for now, but have noticed the issue with that one as a non-numbered set for a long time. I'll revisit it later
Added another round of sets to the list.

A bunch of Topps oddball stuff including all the Topps Gallery of Champions sets & related Bronze/Pewter Dealer Premiums. Fascinating to see how these were listed/merged in the old SCD since it was its own 12-card set, a pewter premium related to purchases of Topps Tiffany (?) cases, and a Bronze premium related to sales of Topps Traded (?) cases. I know there a bunch of former dealers on here... would be interested to hear if anyone still collects these? Or even just the sales tiers needed to qualify for the premiums in order to estimate production numbers?

I also added some of the early Stadium Club years and a bookmark for each of the artists in the Topps 2020 Project, which I'm sure there are some people paying attention.

Added various "chase cards" from the 90s like Upper Deck Heroes and some misc. manufacturers like Action Packed

Hope everyone had a great MDW. Any input on production numbers or just any thoughts on how to improve the list and/or make it more useful are appreciated
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Old 05-28-2020, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JUrsaner View Post
I'd also be interested in this

Slowed down on this but going to add those sets to the list so I remember to come back to it
I saw someone post this in a FB comment. It’s not verified but at least something to go off of for 87 Leaf:

“I was looking to see what a 1987 Leaf case looked like, but all I could find was a 10 box case with 8 regular boxes and 2 Leaf boxes. Does anyone know if this is the only way they came? If so, that’s a 1:4 Leaf / Donruss ratio just in those cases alone. Then you have regular 20 box cases of Donruss on top of that. If you do a 10 box mixed for every 20 box regular then you are at a 1:15 ratio without taking in to account Racks and Cellos. If the ratio of 1:15 is close, which I think it is more like 1:50, then Leaf boxes are very undervalued in the current market.”

The ratio of submissions to PSA is 1:11.9. 9,222 Leaf vs 110,089 Donruss.

Last edited by Hooliganlv; 05-28-2020 at 06:33 PM.
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Old 06-09-2020, 03:49 PM
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The Donruss numbers are off. I uncovered some Donruss internal sales documents from 1990 and they talked about the sales figures and growth from year-to-year throughout the decade. While these aren't actual production numbers, I think it's safe to infer that as sales increased dramatically, so did production.

Despite popular hobby sentiment, 1984 Donruss was not short printed. It was Donruss' most successful year to date and, in fact, they did so well that they decided to branch out and enter the Canadian market. From 1985 onward, sales virtually doubled every year.

If Donruss was doing this well, Topps must have been cleaning up because they had a much larger market share.

I know I saved a copy of these documents. There's virtually no way I would have come across such things and not made some kind of digital copy for my files. It's just a matter of me finding them.

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