Distribution[]
The set was originally released as a hobby shop exclusive set in seven card packs that came 24 packs per box.
Base Set[]
The 125-card base set is one of Topps’ highest end product up to that time. The cards were printed on 20-point stock with gold foil stamping with matte laminate and UV coating. Cards 1-90 feature veteran stars while cards 91-125 feature rookies and rising stars. An unnumbered checklist card was inserted into packs as an extra card.
Rookie cards in this set include: Lance Berkman, Vernon Wells, Kerry Wood, and Jayson Werth.
Always Mint Parallel Set[]
The lone parallel set of the 1997 Topps Stars base set is the Always Mint set. The cards were inserted at a rate of 1:12 packs and is printed on double chromed paper stocked. The cards of the major rookies and stars from this set carry a relatively high premium.
Insert Sets[]
All Star Memories[]
This 10-card set features highlights from the 1997 All-Star Game. The cards were inserted 1:24 packs.
97 All Stars[]
This 20-card set highlights the starters in the 1997 All-Star game. Ten players from the AL and NL are featured. Oddly the only starter not included in the set is Alex Rodriguez. The cards were inserted 1:72 packs or 1 card per 3 boxes.
Future All Stars[]
This 15-card set features players who were expected to be fixtures in the All-Star game for the next ten years. The cards were inserted 1:12 packs.
Rookie Reprints[]
This 15-card set features reprints of Hall of Fame players’ Topps rookie cards. The cards were inserted 1:6 packs. These types of insert sets would become a staple of many Topps releases in the late 1990’s. The cards have been resized to modern, standard sized cards.
Rookie Reprint Autographs[]
This 14 card set partially parallels the Rookie Reprints set. Only Richie Ashburn whose health was failing in 1997 did not have an autographed card. These cards were inserted 1:30 packs or approximately 5 cards per 6 boxes. These on-card autographs were very popular at the time of their release. The Eddie Mathews and Hal Newhouser cards are particularly notable due to the passing of the two stars before the autograph insert card explosion of the 2000’s.
Other Information[]
- Example Box Breaks
- 1997 Topps Stars Promos
1997 Topps Stars
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|---|
| Base Set |
| Insert Sets |
| All-Star Memories - 97 All-Stars - Future All-Stars - Rookie Reprints - Rookie Reprint Autographs |
| Other Information |
| Card Images - Notable Singles- Box Breaks - Promo Cards |
| Other Topps Stars Releases |
| 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 |