1983 Topps
This a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for 1983.
Baseball
Base Set
The 1983 Topps set had 792 cards issued in wax, cello and rack packs. It was also issued as a complete factory set in the J.C. Penney catalog or offered to Baseball Card Stores in a plain Brown Box. The cards featured, along with the action photo, a circular portrait inset in the lower corner on the front. Subsets include All-Stars, League Leaders, Record Breakers, SUPER Veterans, and Team Leader cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Traded Set
The Traded set totals 132 cards and was issued as a factory set and for the first time was printed in Ireland on white cardstock. The cards are identical in appearance to the base set except for the T in the numbering arranged alphabetically by player name. This set featured traded players and managers, and rookie cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Glossy Send-Ins
The Glossy set has 40 cards and were redeemable by mailing-away the game cards available in the 1983 Topps wax packs. The cards featured a glossy photo front and the back said All-Star Set Collector's EDition and included the players name, team, and position. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Foldouts
The Foldout set was distributed in 5 subsets each of which had 17 players for a total of 85 photos. The subsets included are Career Wins, Home Run Leaders, Batting Leaders, Relief Aces, and Stolen Base Leaders. Size: 3-1/2 X 5-5/16 in.
Reprint 52
This set is a reprinting of the 1952 Topps set. The set includes 402 reproductions of the original 407 card set. It was available as a factory set. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Parallel Sets
- In 1983 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.
Retail/Food Issues
These are sets issued by other companies in conjunction with Topps.
- Drake's 33 cards issued in Drake's Cakes. Backs resemble Topps regular issue. 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. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
- Perma-Graphic All-Stars 18 cards Size: 2-1/8 X 3-3/8 in.
- Perma-Grapics Credit Cards 36 cards Size: 2-1/8 X 3-3/8 in.
Notable Cards
- Ryne Sandberg #83 (Rookie)
- Tony Gwynn #482 (Rookie)
- Wade Boggs #498 (Rookie)
Football
Base set
The 1983 football set contains 396 cards, a reduction from the 528 card sets that Topps had bee producing since 1973. Subsets include Record Breakers, playoffs, league leaders, checklists, and Team Leaders cards. Size: 2-1/2 X 3-1/2 in.
Sticker Inserts
This set contains 33 cards and was issued as an insert in the regular issue wax packs. The backs of the cards form one of three puzzles. 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