Andrew Pace
Basketball cards have been around almost as long as basketball itself, with the first basketball-specific set released in 1948 by Bowman. However, there were several years in which basketball cards were not produced, including the cardless year of 1982-83, and the recent lockout that prevented Panini from producing cards for an entire year. Despite these gaps, the history of basketball cards is a fascinating one, with the cards evolving from simple tobacco advertisements to a multi-billion dollar industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years when basketball cards were not made | 1982-83 |
| Years when basketball cards were not made in stores | 1982-85 |
| Company that stopped making basketball cards | Topps |
| Number of years with no basketball cards in stores | 4 |
| Company that filled the gap created by Topps | Star cards |
| Years Star cards were available | 1983-86 |
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What You'll Learn
No basketball cards in 1982-83
Basketball cards have been around for a long time, with the earliest cards depicting the sport being printed as tobacco advertisements. The first basketball cards were part of the 1909 T51 Murad "College Sports" series, which featured US colleges and universities, including the first basketball card depicting Williams College. However, it wasn't until 1948 that Bowman released the first official basketball card set.
Despite the growing popularity of basketball in the 1980s, driven by players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, the decade saw inconsistent basketball card production. This inconsistency resulted in a gap of four years with no basketball card packs in stores. The cardless year of 1982-83 was particularly notable, leaving collectors with no new cards to add to their collections.
The absence of basketball card packs during the 1982-83 season was due to Topps' decision to abruptly stop producing basketball cards after the 1981-82 season. This left a void in the market that other companies, like Star Co., would eventually fill. However, during the 1982-83 season, there was a complete absence of basketball card packs from any manufacturer, creating a "dead year" for collectors.
The 1982-83 season was not only significant for its absence of basketball cards but also because it marked the first time in over a decade that collectors were left without any new cards to pursue. This gap in the market presented an opportunity for other companies to step in and fill the void left by Topps. Star Co. was one of the companies that emerged during this time, releasing their first basketball cards in 1983-84. However, their initial foray into the market was limited, with a 32-card set covering the 1982-83 NBA All-Star Game.
While the 1982-83 season may have been a low point for basketball card collectors, the following years saw a resurgence, with Star Co. and Fleer releasing new sets and cards featuring some of the biggest names in basketball. The 1986-87 Fleer set, in particular, is considered a landmark, as it coincided with the NBA's rebirth and included Michael Jordan's rookie card, making it one of the most popular sets ever.
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Star cards from 1983-1986
Basketball card sets have a relatively brief history, with the earliest sets being released in the 1940s and 1950s. However, the first basketball cards were printed as early as 1909 as part of tobacco advertisements. These early cards featured US colleges and universities and were included in the 1909 T51 Murad "College Sports" series.
From 1983 to 1986, Star Co. produced basketball cards that are now highly sought-after by collectors. The 1983-84 Star Company Basketball set was the first major release from the company, filling the void left by Topps' exit from the basketball card market. This set included the first NBA cards for Isiah Thomas and Clyde Drexler and is considered the earliest full basketball release from Star. The design of these cards remained virtually the same over the entire period that Star produced official NBA basketball cards, from 1983-84 to 1985-86.
The 1984-85 Star Company Basketball set is particularly notable for offering the first NBA cards for Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. This limited-run set remains very popular among collectors.
The 1985-86 Star Basketball set was issued in two series, with the first series card numbered 1 to 94 and the second series numbered 95 to 172. This set included a Patrick Ewing rookie card and a second-year Michael Jordan card, which is considered one of the more valuable Star issues. Unfortunately, this issue was tarnished by the production of counterfeit cards, commonly referred to as 'Type 2 Counterfeits'. Despite this, the 1985-86 Star Basketball set remains an important part of basketball card history and collecting.
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Fleer's return in 1986-87
The 1986-87 Fleer basketball card set was a landmark issue. It featured Michael Jordan's rookie card, which is considered the first real Jordan card printed by a major manufacturer. The set also included cards of several other legends and Hall of Famers, including Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing.
Fleer's return to the basketball card market in 1986-87 came after a period of absence. In the early 1980s, NBA popularity was low, and basketball cards were not widely distributed by traditional means. For several years, the Star Company was the only licensed manufacturer of basketball cards, and their cards were only available through their dealer network in team bags.
The 1986-87 Fleer set was released at a time when basketball was experiencing a rebirth, driven by the success of players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and, later, Michael Jordan. Despite this, the 1986-87 Fleer basketball cards were not an instant hit. However, they have since become highly sought-after by collectors.
The 1986-87 Fleer basketball card set is considered one of the most important sports card sets of all time. It included a large number of rookie cards, as Topps had stopped making basketball cards in the early 1980s, with 1981-82 being their last basketball card set until the 1990s. This makes the 1986-87 Fleer set particularly valuable and classic.
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Topps' basketball card monopoly
The Topps Company, Inc. is an American company that manufactures trading cards and other collectibles. It first sold cards for basketball in 1957 but stopped after one season. Topps resumed the production of basketball cards in 1969 and continued until 1982, after which it abandoned the market for another decade.
Topps' monopoly on baseball cards was broken by a lawsuit decided by federal judge Clarence Charles Newcomer in 1980, which ended Topps Chewing Gum's exclusive right to sell baseball cards. This allowed Fleer and Donruss to enter the market in 1981. In response to the competition, Topps began regularly issuing additional "Traded" sets featuring players who had changed teams since the main set was issued.
Topps returned to basketball cards in 1992, several years after its competitors, coinciding with the rookie year of Shaquille O'Neal. Topps also owns the Bowman brand, which has made popular football cards for rookies such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
In 2021, Topps merged with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company, valuing Topps at $1.3 billion. This merger was expected to help Topps expand its offerings into other options, such as entertainment collectibles.
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1990s cards and large production
Basketball cards have been around since the early 20th century, with the first basketball card believed to have been printed in 1909 as part of the T51 Murad "College Sports" series. However, it wasn't until the 1940s that the first official basketball card sets were released, with the 1948 Bowman set being the most notable.
The 1990s offered collectors many sets and large production numbers. While the decade may not have had the same NBA rookie power as the 1980s, it still produced some great rookie cards. The 1990-91 Fleer Update rookie card, for example, is considered a classic design for Gary Payton's debut. Another big rookie card from the 1990s was Shaquille O'Neal's, which was highly sought-after due to his on-court dominance and dynamic off-court personality.
The 1990 NBA Hoops cards set is considered one of the best basketball card sets of that era, if not of all time. The set included multiple cards featuring Michael Jordan and fun subsets like the NBA Inside Stuff, Stay In School, and Just Say "No" To Drugs cards. Shawn Kemp, who exploded onto the basketball scene in the early 90s with his incredible rebounding skills and highlight-reel dunks, also had a popular rookie card.
The 1993-94 Finest NBA release was the first basketball card set to feature bright colours and a shiny finish, making for an intriguing card design. While the players featured, Anfernee Hardaway and Chris Webber, didn't live up to their respective expectations, they still enjoyed on-court success and multiple All-Star games.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, basketball cards were made in the 1980s. Topps stopped making basketball cards, and there were four years with no basketball packs in stores. There was no basketball card in 1982-83, and then Star cards took over for three years.
Yes, basketball cards were made in the 1990s. Collectors and investors flocked to the hobby, buying boxes and packs in the hope of finding valuable cards. This frenzy led to overproduction, and by the mid-1990s, the bubble burst, resulting in a sharp market decline.
Yes, basketball cards were made in the 1970s. From 1969 to 1981, Topps produced basketball cards almost exclusively, experimenting with different designs and formats.
Yes, basketball cards were made in the 1960s. The 1961-62 Fleer basketball set is a significant milestone in the history of basketball cards. This 66-card set featured rookie cards of several future Hall of Famers, including Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson.
Yes, basketball cards were made in the 1950s. In 1957, Topps issued their first basketball set, which included 80 cards.
