1987 Topps Roger Clemens Record Breaker #1
Roger Clemens · Topps · Base / Record Breaker Subset / Early Career Card
Player
Roger Clemens
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
1
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) Estimated. Centering is visibly shifted toward the left and bottom; bottom-left corner shows slight fraying/whitening; wood-grain edges often show chipping which is evident along the top.
Category
Base / Record Breaker Subset / Early Career Card
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Massive supply exists from the 'Junk Wax Era,' but Clemens remains a key name for team set collectors and 1987 set builders.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.50 - $2.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $5-10, PSA 8: $15-25, PSA 9: $45-60, PSA 10: $350-500
Comparable Sales
Raw copies consistently sell for $1.00 or less at card shows. Recent PSA 8 sales hover around $20; PSA 9 sales around $50. Massive price gap exists for PSA 10s due to the difficulty of an 'un-chipped' wood border.
Description
This is the #1 card in the legendary 1987 Topps wood-grain set, commemorating Roger Clemens' record-breaking 20-strikeout performance in 1986. The card features 'The Rocket' in his Boston Red Sox home whites delivering a pitch. The iconic wood-bezel borders and '86 Record Breaker banner make this a nostalgic staple for 80s baseball collectors.
Key Features
Features a Hall of Fame-caliber player (despite controversies); first card in the iconic 1987 Topps set (#1); commemorates the historic 20-strikeout game; highly desirable wood-grain aesthetic that is famously difficult to find in Gem Mint condition.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic. Features the correct matte cardboard stock of the era, the 'Topps' logo registered trademark symbol, and the specific dot-matrix printing pattern characteristic of 1987 Topps production. High confidence.
Flaws to Note
Leftward centering (approx 65/35); slight corner wear on bottom left; edge chipping visible on the top edge against the wood-grain pattern; typical 1980s cardboard stock pulpiness.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as part of a lot or cheap Buy It Now), COMC for slow-burn sales, or local card shop bulk bins. Not worth individual auction house listing unless it were a PSA 10 candidate.
Selling Tips
Due to high shipping costs relative to value, sell this card as a 'filler' for set builders or bundled with other Roger Clemens cards in a 'player lot' to maximize profit. Grade only if the surface is flawless and centering is 50/50, as value only spikes at the PSA 10 level.