1989 Topps Heads Up Test

ajw

Can anyone provide any info on this test issue? How was it distributed? What should I expect to pay for a Will Clark? Any ideas on where to find one?

52mantlebuyer

I don't have any info, I do have some of the 1989 Test issue

bobsbbcards

These were distributed in packs on a very limited basis. Cards are approximately 5 x 7. You'll find them with or without the suction cup. If you buy one without the suction cup, it will most likely be in better condition since the cup keeps the "card" from lying flat. One unopened box of 24 packs contains a complete set (like the 1990 Heads Up, the 1989 Mets/Yankees Doubleheaders, and the 1991 Stand-Ups).

Here's a picture of a pack (checklist is on back):



Backs of the cards will have 1989 as the copyright year as opposed to the 1990 set which is extraordinarily common. The Standard Catalog price for these guys has been dropping steadily over the years. The highest the set got, if I remember correctly, was somewhere around $3,500.

Here's my own pricing history for this set (or individual cards):

- Saw a set for sale in '93 for $1,000. I didn't buy it.
- Purchased a Puckett for $200 (with wrapper) in '96 or so. Was convinced at the time that I'd never find a set.
- Bought a few other singles for market value (at the time): McGwire, Greenwell, Burks, Jordan. Prices ranged from $50 for the McGwire to $10 or so for the commons.
- Bought a complete set on eBay for $31 in 2000 (one box of 24 packs).
- Purchased about seven individual packs at different times in lots of oddball Topps packs. Lot price was always around $19.
- Bought another unopened box for $200 in 2002.
- Bought a complete set for $300 in 2003.
- Sold a McGwire recently for $100.

I don't have a Clark except in the packs or the set. You could luck into one on eBay for next to nothing, or it may cost you about $40 from someone who knew what they were selling (maybe a bit less). Good luck!

Bob

ajw

Bob, I was hoping you'd see my post. Thanks for the great info. Do you know if the "heads" themselves differ from 1990, or is simply the copyright?

bobsbbcards

<< <i>Bob, I was hoping you'd see my post. Thanks for the great info. Do you know if the "heads" themselves differ from 1990, or is simply the copyright? >>


I think the heads (fronts) are the same. Copyright year is the only way I know to differentiate between them. Slightly different group of players, although there are a lot of duplicates. You might want to train your eyes to pick out the difference in players on the front of packs (that's how I picked some up so cheaply):

'89 is Gooden, Greenwell, Viola
'90 is Griffey, Palmeiro, Eckersley

Checklist for 1990 (from eBay auction):
Gwynn, Clark, Gooden, Eck, Griffey Jr., Biggio, Saberhagen, Bo Jackson, Sandberg, Olson, Franco, Palmeiro, Sheffield, McGwire, Mitchell, Abbott, Reynolds, Canseco, Mattingly, Puckett, Gordon, Worthington, Dwight Smith, Walton

I'll have to see if I can find an '89 pack to get the checklist.

Barfvader

Checklist for the 89's according to the Standard Catalog

Tony Gwynn
Will Clark
Dwight Gooden
Ricky Jordan
Ken Griffey Jr
Darryl Strawberry
Frank Viola
Bo Jackson
Ryne Sandberg
Gregg Jefferies
Wade Boggs
Ellis Burks
Gary Sheffield
Mark McGwire
Mark Grace
Jim Abbott
Ozzie Smith
Jose Canseco
Don Mattingly
Kirby Puckett
Eric Davis
Mike Greenwell
Dale Murphy
Mike Schmidt

Twinsthreepeat

Bob,
So if you bought a Puckett before you bought your set, does that mean you have two? Are you interested in only having one? LMK
Jason