1985 Topps
This a list with brief descriptions of Topps trading card products for 1985. All sets listed are standard size (2½ × 3½ inches) unless noted.
Baseball
Base Set
The 1985 Topps set totals 792 cards and was issued in wax, cello and rack packs or as a factory set. Subsets include Record Breakers, Father and Sons, All-Stars, First Draft Picks, Olympic Team and Manager cards. Player cards had a thin white border surrounding the player picture, with the team name appearing in a colored box angled up from the lower-left corner. The team logo appeared in a circle on the right border, and the area below the team name and logo was colored and contained the player's name and position. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Traded Set
The Traded set totals 132 cards issued in wax packs or as a factory set and was printed in Ireland on white cardstock. The cards are identical in appearance to the base set except for T-suffixed numbering and are ordered alphabetically by player name. This set featured traded players, managers, and rookie cards. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Glossy Send-Ins
This set totals 40 cards and was available by mailing in game cards that were inserted into 1985 Topps wax packs. The fronts feature glossy player photos while the back say All-Star Set Commemorative Edition and include the players name, team, and position. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Glossy All-Stars
This set totals 22 cards and was available as an insert in 1985 Topps rack packs. The set features 11 cards each for the American and National League All-Star teams. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Topps Super
The Super set is a large size version of regular issue cards. The 60 cards in this set were available in 3-card packs or by mail-in. Size: 4 7⁄8 × 6 7⁄8 in.
Other sets
Traded Pete Rose Bronze Metal replica of his 1985 Topps card available to dealers who purchased a Topps Traded case. Size: 1¾ × 1¾ inches.
Minis (132) These cards are the mini versions(10% reduction) of a portion of the regular set printed on white stock. These cards were printed in Canada as a result of a test of new printing equipment by OPC. About 15% of these were printed with blank backs. Possible 1980 Rickey Henderson reprint done as well to test the printing equipment(100 printed?). Size: 2⅜ × 3-9/32 inches.
Gallery of Champions (12) This set is metal replicas of regular issue cards in 1/4 scale of twelve award winners from the previous season. There are two variations: bronze and silver. The Dwight Gooden card has a third variation in pewter given to dealers who bought the set. The sets were issued in a velvet lined case.
Rub Downs (32) While there are thirty-two rub down sheets, the set features 112 different players. The player images as well as the other baseball equipment images can be transferred to another surface by the backs. Size: 2⅜ × 3-15/16 inches (sheet).
Stickers (376) The full color photos are produced by Panini and are numbered on both sides. The back has info about an offer to order an autographed team ball or poster. Size: 2⅛ × 3 inches.
3-D (30) This set was printed on plastic with the player picture raised above the surface to appear three-dimensional.The player's name is across the top with the team logo on the side. The backs are blank except for two peel off adhesive strips. Size: 4¼ × 6 inches.
Parallel Sets
In 1985 Topps issued Tiffany sets of the Base set and the Traded set in limited quantities only available as Factory sets.
Licensed sets
For the O-Pee-Chee sets that resembled the Topps issue see List of O-Pee-Chee Sports Cards.
Retail/Food Issues
These are sets issued by other companies in conjunction with Topps.
- Circle K 33 card box set. Features all-time career home run leaders. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
- Drake's Big Hitters 33 cards issued in Drake's Cakes. Backs resemble Topps regular issue in red as opposed to green. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
- Gardner's Bakery 22 card Milwaukee Brewers team set issued with baked goods in Wisconsin. Backs resemble the Topps regular issue in blue instead of green. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
- Hostess 22 card Atlanta Braves team set issued with baked goods in Atlanta area. Backs resemble the Topps regular issue in blue instead of green. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
- Wendy's 22 card Detroit Tigers team set issued with purchase of food at Metro Detroit locations. Backs resemble the Topps regular issue in red as opposed to green. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
- Woolworth's 44 card box set. Features All Time Record Holders. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Football
Base set
The 1985 football set contains 396 cards and was issued in wax packs, rack packs, and factory sets. This set features horizontal fronts. Subsets include Record Breakers, playoffs, league leaders, checklists, and Team Leader cards. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Box Bottoms
This is a 16 card set found on the bottom of wax pack boxes as a panel of four. They resemble the regular issue cards except for the red borders instead of black and the words 'Topps Superstars' are above the photo. The cards are lettered A-P. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Glossy Inserts
This is an 11 cards set issued as an insert in rack packs. The backs state that it is the 'NFL Star Set' with red and blue motif similar to the baseball version above. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
USFL
The USFL set contains 132 cards issued as a factory set. The fronts have red borders with a blue and white stripe and feature the USFL logo. The backs have both NFL and USFL statistics. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
USFL Generals
Topps issued a 9 card set of the New Jersey Generals as a complete panel. The cards were made available to a youth group called the 'Generals Infantry Club'. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in. (when cut individually)
Coming Soon Stickers
These stickers were inserts in football wax packs. This set has only 30 stickers and share the same numbering as the regular stickers hence the skip numbering. The fronts are white-bordered with a color frame while the backs say 'Coming Soon'. Size: 2 1⁄8 × 3 inches
Stickers
This set totals 285 stickers some of which came in pairs. Stickers 1-5 are a Super Bowl XIX subset. Unlike previous years there are no foil stickers in the set. An album was also available for placing the stickers in. Size: 1 15⁄16 × 2 9⁄16 inches
Ice hockey
Base Set
The 1985-86 Topps hockey set totals 165 cards and was issued in 12-card wax packs. In a bar below the player photo is the player's name and position while the team logo is situated in the upper left or right corner. The backs have career stats and personal notes. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Box Bottoms
This 16-card set appeared as four different 4-card panels on the bottom of wax pack boxes. The cards are lettered A-P. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches individually.
Stickers
This is a 33-card insert set found one per wax pack. Dubbed the 'Hockey Helmet Stickers' there were included 21 stickers of team logos, pucks, and numbers along with 12 All-Star players. They are printed on white card stock. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Wrestling
WWF Pro Wrestling Stars
The first Topps card set since the 1950s to feature pro wrestlers. This 88 count set was issued in 9-cards wax packs and is split up into 66 photo cards and 22 stickers. The photo cards have white borders with the wrestler's name or caption in red text and are divided into three subsets; Wrestlers, Ringside Action, and The Superstars Speak. The stickers have die-cut photos over a ring rope style background. The backs of the sticker cards form an image. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
Non-sport
Cyndi Lauper
The Cyndi Lauper set has 66 total cards. Thirty three of the cards have photos over a spotty pink background with backs that have the card number and text. The remaining 33 cards in the set are stickers that have puzzle backs. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Duran Duran
Topps issued a 66 card set about the English rock band Duran Duran. There are 33 cards that feature the group and its members in action poses and other publicity shots on gray backgrounds. The backs have the card number with brief text. There are also 33 sticker cards the backs of which combine to form a large picture. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Garbage Pail Kids
In 1985 Topps released the first two series of GPK. The first series has 82 cards with backs featuring fake permits and licenses based on the 'Nutty Awards' set from 1964. The second series has 84 cards with backs that also feature fake awards based on the 1968 Kooky Awards set by Topps. Both series have several variations but unlike the second series the first does not have any puzzle backs. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Goonies
The Goonies set has 101 total cards. There are 84 story cards, 15 stickers, one title card, and one checklist. The story cards have black borders with parchment style frames. The stickers feature puzzle backs. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Gross Bears
This 29-piece set is a series of 'Big Bad Buttons' featuring artwork of cartoon bears. The buttons, sold one to a box without gum, were made in Taiwan. Size: 2" diameter
Rambo
This 88 card set is based on the film 'First Blood Part II' starring Sylvester Stallone. There are 65 story cards with red borders and barbed wire photo frames. There is a 22-sticker subset with yellow borders and puzzle backs. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Return To Oz
This 44 count set is made up entirely of sticker cards. The backs of some of the stickers are story cards while others are puzzle pieces. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Rocky IV
Another Sylvester Stallone film was depicted on cards, this time the fourth film about the boxer Rocky Balboa. The set has 77 cards. Sixty six cards have a photo with a yellow caption panel and red boxing glove design at the bottom. The card backs have brief text with the series title. There are 11 stickers with yellow framed photos over red backgrounds. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Voltron Tattoos
This set of tattoos is based on the Voltron Defender of the Universe cartoon. A 24 count tattoo sheet was issued one per paper packet without gum. One sheet has eight large tattoos and sixteen small ones. Size: 6 7⁄8 × 9 5⁄8 inches
Wacky Packages
This edition of Wacky Packages was marketed as having all new designs. The set has 44 numbered stickers. The backs of the stickers form one of two puzzles; the 'Beastball' or the 'Batzooka'. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Sources
- Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X
- Lemke, Robert F. (2006). "Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards". KP ; Newton Abbot-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-89689-372-3
- Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2005). "Beckett Football Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-41-2
- "Tuff Stuff 2005 Standard Catalog of Football Cards". Krause Publications-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-87349-866-6
- Benjamin, Christopher et al. (1988). "The Sport Americana price guide to the non-sports cards". Edgewater Book Co.-Cleveland, Ohio ISBN 0-937424-36-6
- Murphy, Mark (2002). "Unopened Pack, Wrapper & Display Box Guide". Mark Murphy-Stamford, Connecticut
- Beckett, James (2004). "Beckett hockey card price guide & alphabetical checklist". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-36-6