1991 Topps
This a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for the 1991.
Baseball
Base Set
The 1991 Topps set totals 792 cards and was issued in wax, rack, and jumbo packs or factory sets. Subsets include Future Stars, Record Breakers, All-Stars, First Draft Picks, Checklists, and Manager cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Traded Set
The Traded set totals 132 cards and was issued in wax packs or as a factory set.The cards are identical in appearance to the base set with two exceptions. The traded set uses a different color palate for the gradient design than is found in the base set and the factory set card were printed in Ireland on white cardstock in Ireland while the Pennsylvania printed cards from the wax packs were printed on a a gray backed cardstock. This set featured traded players, managers, rookie cards, and Team USA cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy All-Stars
This set totals 22 cards and was available as an insert in 1991 Topps rack packs. The back says All-Star Game Commemorative Set and includes the players name, position and league. There are 11 cards each for the American and National League All-Star teams. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy Rookies
This set totals 33 cards and was available as an insert in 1991 Topps jumbo packs. The back says Rookies Commemorative Set and includes the players name, position and team. The cards slightly resemble the Glossy All-Star set. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Topps East Coast National
This set features 4 reprint cards of Aaron, Mantle, Musial, and Robinson. They were available at the 1991 national baseball card convention. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Wax Box Cards
The "Box Bottom" cards were featured 4 to a box on the bottom of the wax pack boxes of 1991 Topps of which there were 4 different boxes for a total of 16 cards. They resemble the base cards except for having a career milestones on the back instead of full statistics and a yellow border instead of white. The set is lettered A-P rather than numbered. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in. when individually cut out.
Topps Debut '90
This Major League Debut set had 171 total cards and was issued as a factory set. The cards chronicle a players first appearance, they are otherwise similar in appearance to the regular issue. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Bowman
The 1991 Bowman set has 704 cards and was issued in wax packs and factory sets. Subsets include Rod Carew Tribute, Minor League MVP's, AL/NL Silver Sluggers, and Checklist cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Stadium Club
The 1991 Stadium Club is a premium set totaling 600 cards. It was issued in packs in 2 series of 300 cards. The players Topps rookie card is featured on the backs. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Archives 1953
The 1991 Topps Archives set is a reprint of the original 1953 Topps set. All 274 original cards with the exception of Billy Loes #174 were included in the set. This set has also been extended by 57 cards as well as being reformatted from their original size. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Parallel Sets
- In 1991 O-Pee-Chee printed an identical 792 card set which featured English/French on the backs. O-Pee-Chee also printed bilingual versions of the Topps Wax Box Cards.
- In 1991 Topps issued Tiffany sets of the Base set and the Traded set in limited quantities only available as Factory sets.
- Desert Shield is a 792 card set issued to service people and bears a Desert Shield logo.
- Topps Micro was a mini version of the regular Topps set issued only as factory sets.
Retail/Food Issues
These are sets issued by other companies in conjunction with Topps.
- Bazooka Shining Stars 22 cards issued in boxes of gum. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Cracker Jack 72 cards issued in 2 series of 36 as the Toy Surprise. Size: 1-1/4 X 1-3/4 in.
- Toys R Us Rookies 33 card box set. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Woolworth's Baseball Highlights 33 card box set. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Football
Base set
This years' football set was the largest to date totaling 660 cards and was issued in wax and rack packs and factory sets. The cards share their design with this years baseball regular issue above. Subsets include Highlights, league leaders, checklists, and team cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
1000 Yard Club
This set totals 18 glossy cards and were issued as inserts in the football wax packs. The 'members of the club' are players who gained 1000 yards or more during the season by rushing or receiving. The back of the cards list the total yardage gained by the player in each game of the season. 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