1985 Topps Mini Test Issue Cubs

This blog started with the 1980 Topps set, and I think most of the 80s cards are now featured here. That said, there are a couple of sets I left out, like the 1987 TCMA Collectors Kits Reprints. There are quite a few of those, but I never got into collecting reprints of reprints. The junk era set talked about in this post is probably one of the most valuable from that time, so be careful when investing. Usually, if something looks too good to be true, it’s likely a fake!

Hopefully, you can utilize the checklist included in most posts to simplify tracking your collection. Thank you for stopping by, and good luck on your hunt for the fun-filled decade of the 80s.

Number of Cards

1985 Topps Mini Test have a total of 132 cards which there is 9 Cubs players

Size of Cards

The cards are slightly smaller 2 3/8" by 3 9/32"

Basic Features

Topps tasked its Canadian division, O-Pee-Chee, with producing a test mini set similar to the 1975 set. These cards were made in very limited numbers and were likely intended for destruction, but an employee salvaged them from the trash. Today, this set is recognized as one of the rarest Topps collections ever made, with fewer than 100 copies of each card currently known.

To ensure you don't purchase a counterfeit piece of history, always obtain a professionally graded card from a trusted seller. Graded cards are expected to appreciate significantly in value over time.

Chicago Cubs 1985 Topps Mini Checklist

Number	Player
12	Dave Lopes
72	Rick Sutcliffe
210	Gary Matthews
306	Rick Reuschel
330	Leon Durham
511	Lee Smith
538	Keith Moreland
563	Dick Ruthven
589	Bob Dernier

1988 Topps Campbell's Soups Salutes Richie Ashburn

Number of Cards

One panel for the Campbell's Soup promotion, which includes two Cub cards featuring Richie Ashburn.

Size of Cards

The size of the panel is: 10" x 14"

Basic Features

Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn, known for his nickname "Putt-Putt", is celebrated in this promotional Topps baseball uncut panel by the Campbell Soup Company, which honors his illustrious baseball career. He played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1948 to 1962. After the 1959 season, Ashburn was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for three players. He then solidified his position as the center fielder for the North Siders during the 1960 and 1961 seasons.

Chicago Cubs 1988 Topps Campbell's Soups Checklist

Number	Player
-	Richie Ashburn Panel
305	Richie Ashburn 1960
88	Richie Ashburn 1961

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These panels can be cut along the visible perforated lines.

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1988 Galasso 1936 Goudey Reprint

Number of Cards

25 cards in the 1988 1936 Goudey (reprint) which there is 1 Cub card..

Size of Cards

The size of the cards are measuring 2 3/8″ x 2 7/8″. Same dimensions as the original 1936 Goudey

Basic Features

Renata Galasso, a former dealer of baseball cards located in New York, initiated her business in the early 1970s. The cards from the 1936 Goudey set are clearly marked as reprints. These reprints are not considered unlicensed cards; instead, they are legitimate.

The front of the 1936 Goudey cards showcases black-and-white images of the players, accompanied by a generic facsimile autograph. The reverse side of the card includes a short biography of the player and two play results that can be utilized to engage in a game. Each card can cover a variety of game scenarios and play outcomes, leading to numerous possible variations.

Chicago Cubs 1988 Galasso 1936 Goudey (reprint) Checklist

Number	Player
20	Chuck Klein

1989 J.J. Nissen Super Stars

Number of Cards

1989 J.J. Nissen Super Stars has 20 cards, which there are 1 Cubs player and 1 VAR.

Size of Cards

The size of the cards are standard-size 2 ½ x 3 ½

Basic Features

These cards, sponsored by the J.J. Nissen baking company, served as a promotional tool for the company's bakery items. The front of each card showcases vibrant, posed photographs along with the player's name, team, and position displayed beneath the image, while the banner above reads "J.J. Nissen Super Stars." On the reverse side, you'll find personal details and comprehensive major league statistics.

Chicago Cubs 1989 Super Stars Checklist

Number	Player
12	Mark Grace ERR Vance Law
12	Mark Grace COR

1987 19th Century Baseball Greats

Number of Cards

1987 19th Century Baseball Greats has 20 cards, which there are 5 Cubs players.

Size of Cards

The size of the cards are standard-size 2 ½ x 3 ½

Basic Features

This collection, named "19th Century Baseball Greats," is a set of trading cards. Created by Scholle and Scholle in 1987, this set acts as a licensed reissue of legendary baseball cards. There aren't many cards from that era or their reprints. This particular set stands out as one of the finest, featuring excellent descriptions and beautiful portraits of the classic players.

Chicago Cubs 1987 19th Century Baseball Greats Checklist

Player

Cap Anson

Cap Anson

Fred Goldsmith

King Kelly

Albert Spalding

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1988 Star Andre Dawson

Number of Cards

The 1989 Star Andre Dawson collection included 11 cards.

Size of Cards

The size of the cards are standard-size 2 ½ x 3 ½

Basic Features

The cards focus on Andre Dawson and showcase his career. A limited number of unique cards were created by Star Company. These cards were available at hobby stores, packaged in "poly bags"—transparent plastic bags. Collecting these cards can be quite challenging, even though it was a legitimate business back then. The front designs showcase stunning action shots alongside portraits; my personal favorite is card number 10. The set carries a copyright date of 1984 on the back. Additionally, Star released a promotional set with blank backs and a platinum set that was produced in limited quantities, I believe it was around 200. Fortunate individuals received an autographed card, which I have displayed below.

Chicago Cubs 1988 Star Andre Dawson Checklist

Number	Player
1	Checklist
2	Minor League Stats
3	Pro Stats
4	Playoff Stats
5	All-Star Record
6	1977 NL Top Rookie
7	1987 NL MVP
8	ML Records
9	Career Highlights
10	Personal Data
11	THe Future

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Promos:

1988 Reprint 1913 T200 Fatima Teams Reprints

Number of Cards

1988 Reprint 1913 T200 includes 16 cards, featuring 1 Cubs team.

Card Dimensions

The team card are the following dimensions: 2 5/8" x 4 3/4"

Basic Features

The Fatima T200 set from 1913 was reissued in 1988, featuring black and white images on the front and advertisements for Fatima cigarettes on the reverse side. The back of each card in this reprint set displays the text "REPRINT 1988" at the bottom. This reprint manufacturer remains unidentified.

1988 Score Wax Box Bottom Panels

Number of Cards

1988 Score Wax Box includes 6 cards, featuring 3 Cubs.

Card Dimensions

The panels are the following dimensions: Size: 5 1/8" x 7 1/8"

Basic Features

4-card panels cut from the bottom of the wax pack boxes. The name "wax" originates from the wax paper used for packaging baseball cards from the 1930s until 1991. This packaging method gained popularity because it effectively safeguarded of the cards. You can also cut the panel to create individual cards that easily fit into an album.

Chicago Cubs 1988 Score Wax Box Bottom Panels Checklist

Number	Player
4	Gabby Hartnett
12	Ryne Sandberg
16	Andre Dawson

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