Define the design (62T & 87T)

Hey, it's "Define the Design" time! I haven't done this for a little while, so I figured why not try to pigeon-hole yet another set?

I have an easy one this time. It's 1962 Topps. Loads of people love this set. There are madmen out there who pay ungodly amounts of money to find '62 cards in the most pristine condition possible. Me? I'll settle for all the Dodgers in OK shape. The set's all right. I don't really know what the big deal is.

But I think most people can agree that this would be called the "wood panel set." Still, I'm not willing to slap that label on Mr. Andy Carey's forehead yet, because if we name the '62 Topps set the "wood panel set," then what do we name this set:

Yup, it's 1987 Topps. Some call it 1962 Topps' illegitimate son. But that wouldn't be an appropriate title for "Define the Design," now would it?

It's funny. The 1980s was all about nostalgia for the 1960s. The Big Chill and all that. In fact, when I hear '60s music now, I don't think of the '60s (because I was barely alive then). I think about the late '80s, when you could hear The Four Tops and Buffalo Springfield on every other radio station.

And the same phenomenon occurred in '80s baseball cards. 1983 Topps resembled 1963 Topps. 1986 Topps reminded me of 1971 Topps (OK, that's not quite the '60s). And 1987 Topps really reminded me of 1962 Topps.

So, anyway, that's your assignment. If 1962 Topps is the "wood panel set," then what is the 1987 set called? Or maybe the '87 set is the "wood panel set" and '62 is something else. I'm looking for names of both of these sets.

But I don't think I'll be rewarding a prize for this one. Your prize is the satisfaction of a job well done (don't throw anything at me). And your title immortalized forever on the sidebar.