What makes a set great?
Is it the design, the players, or the photos used in the set? Can one card make it great, or does it take many? Is it because of a particular rookie card? Maybe it's because of a rare error card? Innovation? Scarcity? What is it that makes a set great?
Maybe it's none of these. Maybe it's purely sentimental reasons.
I started this post over a year ago.
What's the greatest set from the 1980's? Why? I'm not going to add my thoughts at this point, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the greatest set from the 1980's.
1980 Topps
1981 Donruss
1981 Fleer
1981 Topps
1982 Donruss
1982 Fleer
1982 Topps
1983 Donruss
1983 Fleer
1983 Topps
1984 Donruss
1984 Fleer
1984 Topps
1985 Donruss
1985 Fleer
1985 Topps
1986 Donruss
1986 Fleer
1986 Sportflics
1986 Topps
1987 Donruss
1987 Fleer
1987 Sportflics
1987 Topps
1988 Donruss
1988 Fleer
1988 Score
1988 Sportflics
1988 Topps
1989 Bowman
1989 Donruss
1989 Fleer
1989 Score
1989 Sportflics
1989 Topps
1989 Upper Deck
The best measure is probably the impact it left on the collector base at the time. And I can't think of a set that left more of an impression that's still felt today by collectors than 1987 Topps. For good or for bad.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong to say '86 Sportflics? I didn't start collecting until '88, but after looking at the list, this is the first major set that was truly innovative. I know Kellogg's had something similar years before, but lenticular cards really gave the other card companies something think about. Then '88 Score came in with different card stock, color pics on the back and those lovely bios. '89 UD is an easy answer because it was more of a premium set with foil pack wrappers, the newer card stock, photos on the back, a little hologram insignia, the beautifully drawn team checklist cards and the occasional multi-exposure card.
ReplyDeleteUp until the '80s the major card sets were pretty bland.
I made this comment on another blog last week. 1983 Topps is unquestionably the greatest set of the decade.
ReplyDelete1983 Topps is the best set of the 1980s. Its action photography is unmatched, the photo's are cropped perfectly. There were great all-star cards and I always thought the Lee Mazzilli was the best card of the 1980s.
ReplyDeleteI always settled on 83 topps as well. Just always resonated with me and I can't find much wrong with it.
ReplyDelete'83 was the best year. But to me, the choices are limited to '84 and before in the first place. Honorable mentions to '88 Score and Topps...
ReplyDeleteSuch a tough decision to make - 1983 Topps is a great set no doubt. I think Fleer and Donruss adding competition was motivation for Topps to put out a better product. 1987 Topps is a near perfect set in my opinion and holds a tremendous amount of sentimental value to me - the rookie crop was great and the rookie cup on the cards were great. Of course, 1989 UD upended the industry forever so yes, that's an easy one to pick... (See, I can't pick...)
ReplyDeleteI feel like this would make an awesome Blog Bat Around. But I also feel like I've written about this before. Anyways... 1983 Topps is hands down my favorite set design from the 80's. In fact the only Topps flagship design I like better is the 1956.
ReplyDeleteYup. I ranked my Top 10 back in 2018:
Deletehttps://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-love-80s-baseball-card-sets.html