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Sponsored by Surf Laundry Detergent,
in 1987 and 1988, the Surf Baseball
Card Collectibles series of booklets
were given away at all 26 Major League
ballparks. The full color, roughly
quarter-size photo graphic
reproductions of Topps baseball cards
were issued for individual team's
players each year since 1952. The "Surf
Night" baseball card book promotion was
given away at 21 of 26 Major League
team ballparks in 1987.
Teams that were excluded were; the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Padres, Expos,
and the Mets. These five teams were
issued Surf Baseball Card Collectible
books in 1988, along with a 1988
edition for all the other teams. The
1988 Mets Surf books featured the 1986
25th Anniversary cover.
Leftover 1987 books, some 56,000 of them, were donated to the Baseball
Alumni Team, an organization that
provides financial help to former big
leaguers in distress. According to
Lever Brothers, the company that
manufactured Surf Laundry Detergent,
the 56,000 books were worth $2.5
million or more. Individual books were
selling in the hobby for $50. each, and
complete sets were selling for $1,000.
Today individual books sell for about
$5.-$10. on average, plus shipping.
Value may vary based on team demand.
The year of issue for the baseball card books can be determined by the
Topps Chewing Gum, MBKA Inc. copyright
page. The books are officially licensed
by MLB, MLBPA, and MSA. The books were
printed in Hong Kong by Mandarin
Offset. Besides the cards, the books
feature an introduction page,
Collectors Corner (Highlights on key
cards), Team Leaders, and a blank
Autograph page with a .50¢ savings
coupon at the bottom, and more.
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