1984 Topps
This a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for 1984.
Baseball
Base Set
The 1984 Topps Base set totals 792 cards and was issued in wax and rack packs or as a complete set available in the J.C. Penney catalog. The cards featured a player action photo with a square portrait inset in the lower corner on the front. Subsets include Highlights, League Leaders, All-Stars, ACTIVE Career Leaders, Team Leaders, and Checklist cards. Player cards had a white background with the Topps logo in the upper-right corner, the team name in color down the left side, a head shot of the player within a colored box in the lower-left corner and the player's name and position in color in the lower-right corner. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Traded Set
The Traded set totals 132 cards issued as a factory set and was printed in Ireland on white cardstock. The cards are identical to the base set except for the alphabetical ordering and the T in the numbering. The set features traded players in their new uniforms and extended rookie cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy Send-Ins
This set contains 40 cards which were available by mailing in the game cards found in the 1984 Topps wax packs. The cards feature glossy fronts and have All-Star Set Collector's EDition on the back along with the players name, team, and position. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy All-Stars
This set totals 22 cards and was available as an insert in 1984 Topps rack packs. The backs state that it is The All-Star Game Commemorative Set and include the players name, position and league. There are eleven cards each representing the American and National League teams from the 1983 All-Star game. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Topps Cereal
The Cereal set included 33 player cards plus 1 checklist card and was available as a premium in Ralston-Purina cereals or by mail order. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Topps SUPER
This set is a large size parallel version of the base set featuring 30 cards of star players. Other than the size, only the numbering is different. Size: 4-7/8 X 6-7/8 in.
Parallel Sets
- In 1984 O-Pee-Chee printed an identical set with only 396 cards which featured lighter gray cardstock, bilingual English/French backs, and added traded lines on some cards.
- In 1984 Topps issued Tiffany sets of the Base set and the Traded set in limited quantities only available as Factory sets.
- Nestle released an identical 792 card set to the Topps base set in uncut sheets as a send away premium.
Retail/Food Issues
These are sets issued by other companies in conjunction with Topps.
- Drake's Big Hitters 33 cards issued in Drake's Cakes. Backs resemble Topps regular issue. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Nestle 22 card Dream Team issued in chocolate bars. Backs resemble the Topps regular issue cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Gardner's Bakery 22 card Milwaukee Brewers team set issued with baked goods in Wisconsin. Backs resemble the Topps regular issue cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Milton Bradley 30 cards from Championship Baseball game. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Ralston-Purina issued a 33 card set similar to the Topps Cereal set, the main difference being the presence of the Ralston-Purina logo as opposed to the Topps logo. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Notable Cards
- Don Mattingly #8 (Rookie)
- Dwight Gooden #42T (extended rookie)
Football
Base set
The 1984 football set contains 396 cards and was issued in wax packs, rack packs, and factory sets. Subsets include Record Breakers, playoffs, league leaders, Team Leader, checklists, and Instant Replay cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy Inserts
This is an 11 cards set issued as an insert in rack packs. The backs state that it is the 'NFL Star Set' and feature players that led their conference in various statistical categories. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Play Cards
These 27 cards were inserted one per wax pack and are basically game instructions. Each card had a value of Any Number of yards gained. Upon gaining enough yards the cards were redeemable for a mail away set of cards from Topps. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy Send-In
This 30 cards set was available by mail using the 'Play Cards' above. As indicated the cards feature glossy fronts while the backs state that it is the 'NFL Football Stars Collector's Edition'. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
USFL
The USFL set contains 132 cards issued as a factory set. The fronts say 'Premier USFL Edition' and the backs feature both NFL and USFL statistics while rookies have college stats. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
References
- Beckett, Dr. James et al (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X