Derek’s (Re)collections Topps incorporated a “retro” wood grain border design in ‘87 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1962 Topps set. While I was not a big fan of this set at the time, I appreciated the concept. As Camden Yards proved in the subsequent decade, the old-time aesthetic combined with touches of modern … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections While the changes from the previous year’s effort were subtle, I immediately appreciated the design of the 1987 Fleer baseball cards. I made multiple attempts to acquire the cards but they were very difficult to track down. My recollection is that the product was highly sought after and the prices quickly exceeded a … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections It’s possible that the Topps’ brass were in denial but their competition made significant strides in the first half of the Eighties while the “leader of the pack” seemed to stagnate in terms of design and innovation. Looking back at my allocation of funds towards the various offerings in 1986, Topps would end … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections My collecting days began as Fleer really hit their stride. Following an uneven debut in ‘81 and a lackluster ‘82, Fleer ironed out the rough spots and delivered a solid effort through the next half-decade. The ‘86 effort did not disappoint as the company introduced minor tweaks to the previous campaign to produce … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections Impressed with both the standard and subsets of Donruss products from the two previous years, I anxiously awaited the release of the 1986 cards. They did not disappoint! I rushed to my local card shop and other vendors to gobble up as much product as I could afford. When the dust settled I … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections Topps came through again with another stellar effort in ‘85. Consistently delivering the largest checklist of the “Big 3” (Topps sets numbered 792 in those days), the inclusion of the 1984 Olympic baseball team along with a bumper crop of rookies took this set to the next level. My one slight criticism of … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections I remember having great expectations for the 1985 Fleer baseball cards after their previous effort garnered my attention and fed my obsessive need for order. Not only did Fleer offer quality photography and a legible table of player statistics, the set checklist was sorted by team and alphabetically by the player’s last names! … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections The calendar turned to 1985 and I was knee-deep in my baseball card collection. I subscribed to the Beckett Baseball Monthly Price Guide and purchased several binders with sleeves to display nine cards per page along with hard plastic holders and cardboard boxes to keep my collection in pristine condition. My friends and … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections As I remember it, my collecting days began with the purchase of a few packs of bubble gum cards at the Little League snack shack. Although I focused a lot of my attention on the 1984 Fleer and Topps cards (as the ‘84 Donruss packs proved to be elusive), I also set aside … Read more
Derek’s (Re)collections As a young baseball card collector in 1984, I didn’t have a clue about the potential value of my purchases. I simply bought wax packs from the local shops and jumped head-first into my new hobby. I soon learned that the “Big 3” companies consisted of Topps, Fleer and Donruss. Only later did … Read more
