Topps is an American company that is best known for producing trading cards and collectibles. Established in 1938, the company has grown to become a leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, with a wide variety of products to suit different tastes and interests.
Topps was founded in 1938 by brothers Abram, Ira and Philip Shorin.
The companyu2019s first product was a chewing gum called u201cTopps Gumu201d.
In 1951, Topps released their first baseball card set which included a Honus Wagner card.
Topps became the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball cards in 1956.
Over the years, Topps expanded their product line to include entertainment trading cards, sticker books, and other collectibles.
In 2007, Topps was sold to a group of investors led by Michael Eisner.
In 2021, Topps announced that they would be going public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).
Panini is an Italian company that produces collectibles, including sports trading cards, stickers, and albums. They are one of the main competitors to Topps, particularly in the soccer card market.
Founded in 1988, Upper Deck is a company that produces sports trading cards and collectibles. They are known for their higher-end products, such as autographed memorabilia and limited edition cards.
Leaf is a relatively new player in the trading card market, founded in 2010. They produce a variety of trading cards, including sports, entertainment, and gaming collectibles.
Topps is best known for their baseball cards, which feature players from Major League Baseball.
Topps also produces trading cards featuring players from the National Football League.
In addition to sports cards, Topps produces trading cards featuring popular entertainment franchises, such as Star Wars and Marvel.
Garbage Pail Kids cards are a series of collectible trading cards featuring grotesque characters with witty names and slogans.
The most valuable Topps baseball card is the 1952 Mickey Mantle card, which can sell for millions of dollars in top condition.
There are a variety of ways to authenticate a Topps card, including checking for security features, holograms, and other markings. Itu2019s also important to buy from reputable sources.
Topps and Panini are both major players in the trading card market, but they have different licensing agreements with sports leagues. Topps has the exclusive license for Major League Baseball, while Panini has the exclusive license for the National Basketball Association.
The best Topps baseball card sets are a matter of personal preference, but some of the most popular and valuable sets include the 1952 Topps set, the 1968 Topps set, and the 1986 Topps set.
Some rare Topps baseball cards include the 1952 Mickey Mantle card, the 1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth rookie card, and the 1967 Topps Tom Seaver rookie card.