1982 Topps

This a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for 1982.

Baseball

Base Set

The 1982 Topps base set contained 792 cards, 66 more than the previous year. Topps would continue to produce 792 card sets until 1994 (with the exception of the 825 card 1993 set) The cards were issued in wax packs, rack packs, and cello packs. The cards feature a facsimile autograph on the front and have green backs. Subsets included Highlights, League Leaders, All-Stars, Super Action, and Team Leader cards. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Topps Traded

The Traded set has 132 cards and are identical to the base set except for having red backs and their numbering includes a T. The set was issued as a boxed factory set. Unlike the previous year, this set features traded players as well as future stars. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

ticker Variations

This sticker set included 48 cards. They had either red or blue borders and featured the players name and position on the back. The numbering was done on the front and back however it was not consecutive. Size: 1.9375 X 2.5625 in.

Food/Retail Sets

In 1981, Topps issued several promotional sets, primarily for regional food and beverage companies.

Coca Cola Reds

A 23 card set of Cincinnati Reds set was issued in conjunction with Coca-Cola in the Cincinnati area. The set was of similar design to the 1982 Topps set, but had the Brigham's and Coca-Cola logos on the front. The reverse was basically identical to the Topps issue, but it was red instead of green and replaced the Topps logo with the Coca-Cola logo. The set contained 22 players and an advertising card. Most of the photos were identical to those used in the Topps set, despite some cropping variations. Other variations from the Topps base set reflected traded players. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Brigham's-Coca Cola Reds

A 23 card set of Boston Red Sox set was issued in conjunction with New England ice cream parlor Brigham's and Coca-Cola. The set was of similar design to the 1982 Topps set, but had the Brigham's and Coca-Cola logos on the front. The reverse was basically identical to the Topps issue, but it was red instead of green and replaced the Topps logo with the Brigham's logo. The set contained 22 players and an advertising card. Most of the photos were identical to those used in the Topps set, despite some cropping variations. Other variations from the Topps base set reflected traded players. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Drake's Big Hitters

Topps produced for Northeastern regional bakery Drake's a promotional set of 33 cards. The cards were issued in boxes of Drake's Cakes and featured position players and no pitchers. The front of the cards have a design that differs from the Topps set while the backs resemble the Topps cards. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

K-Mart Anniversary

Topps produced for retailer K-Mart a 44 card boxed set for 20th Anniversary Celebration of the store. The cards featured reproductions of the Topps cards of the Most Valuable Players for both leagues for the twenty prior years. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Perma-Graphics

For the second straight year, Topps issued two sets for Perma-Graphics. One set was an 18 card set of All-Stars while the other was 24 cards. Both sets were made of plastic and resemble credit cards Size: 2.125 x 3.75 inches

quirt

For the second straight year, Topps produced for soft drink company Squirt a promotional set of 33 cards. The cards issued issued in 22 panels that attached to bottles of soda. The front of the cards have a design that differs from the Topps set while the backs resemble the Topps cards. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Parallel Sets

Canada

In 1982 Canadian candy manufacturer O-Pee-Chee produced a licensed version of the Topps set for the Canadian market. The set contained only 396 cards which featured lighter gray cardstock, bilingual backs, and added traded lines. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Football

Base Set

The 1982 football base set contains 528 cards issued in wax packs. This was the first time team logos appeared on the cards with Topps having acquired a licensing agreement with the NFL. Subsets include Record Breakers , playoffs , league leaders, brothers, Team leaders, checklists, and In Action cards. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Team Checklists

This set contains 28 cards and were made available by mail-in offer. The cards feature several team leaders on the front and a checklist on the back. Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Hockey

References

* Beckett, Dr. James et al (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X