1988 to 1990 Topps "BIG" Cards

Writer11

Am I the only one who used to love these cards? They never really took off in popularity, but to me they were kind of the forerunner to the premier sets of the late '80s and early '90s (1989 Upper Deck, 1990 Leaf, 1991 Stadium Club). I just picked up two boxes of 1988 Topps Big at a flea market for $8.

Does anyone else like these cards? Anyone have any pics they can post?

mikeschmidt

Southerncards

I think someone forgot the other "L" on that slab.

MuckyMutt

I really like these cards too. I think they look great and I like the combo portrait/action shot. It's nice to be able to pick up unopened boxes of these on the cheap.

ROCKDJRW

Great Set! I picked up the original artwork from the back of the 1988 Ozzie Guillen card from Topps Vault. Before Ozzie became the Sox manager his stuff was really cheap. I believe it cost me under 15 dollars.

Boopotts

They're fun to rip, but I hate the fact that they were released in Series'. If you open a box of Series III, for instance, you get a whole stack of Zane Smiths and Walt Weiss'.

Boopotts

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Is this where I make some smart ass remark about the centering on the Schmidt being 'no better than 53/47' L/R? Nobody else has chimed in yet, and I'd hate to break the streak.

poppie

What I remember of them, is they looked great but smelled horrible !

ToppsCo1lector

One of my favorite designs from that era(Along with Sportflics); I have a couple graded from the 89 and 90 set.

Writer11

Mikeschmidt:

That Schmidt is a beauty. I really like these cards. I am a Blue Jays fan, so I remember picking up the Kelly Gruber card at that time and thinking I had died and gone to heaven.

I don't remember the smell of these cards. That's interesting. Maybe I should crack a pack or two and see if they still stink.

I wonder why these cards never took off.

onlyanumber

<< <i>They're fun to rip, but I hate the fact that they were released in Series'. If you open a box of Series III, for instance, you get a whole stack of Zane Smiths and Walt Weiss'. >>



Yeah, but back then Walt Weiss was worth something

mikeschmidt

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Is this where I make some smart ass remark about the centering on the Schmidt being 'no better than 53/47' L/R? Nobody else has chimed in yet, and I'd hate to break the streak. >>



Well - I guess then we have to argue as to whether or not the 'paint line' where the name is included is measured as part of the centering. Is it the borders, or is it the outermost edge of the paintline? See how fun you can be when you become an anal grader?

bengineno9

Sure did bang up a lot of these when i was a kid.

Writer11

How can you not like these cards after seeing those Ozzies? Those are a thing of beauty.

Anyone have any idea what the print run was on these, compared to regular 1988 Topps?

HoofHearted

I've deleted my "watched" items for the bbcexchange auctions last Sunday, but there was a box of two different series' that went for something like $7.50 each. I just checked their website (bbcexchange) but it didn't appear they had any in stock.

I had a hard time with these cards in storing and displaying the odd size. Otherwise the design is well done!

hh

WinPitcher

I thought Boo said L/R not T/B on the centering issue. as for L/R the card seems less on the left side then the right cuz it has moved down on to the edge of the slab.
the T/B centering is like MS sez, the paintline so thus it is centered at that point. As for the L/R it appears to me to be well within the guidelines for a 10. Nice card. I have a few sets of those cards. I enjoyed the reverses as they reminded me of 50's cards with the cartoon.


Steve

bengineno9

I enjoyed the reverses as they reminded me of 50's cards with the cartoon.

After looking at the 88's, some cards do look a little bit similiar to 56T.