The heartwarming 1987 film "Harry and the Hendersons" didn't just bring a lovable Sasquatch into our homes; it also stomped its way into the collectible world with a dedicated trading card set from Topps. For fans of Harry and the Henderson family, these cards offered a pocket-sized way to relive the movie's magic, one bubble gum stick at a time.

History: Capturing Harry for Collectors

Released by Topps in 1987 to coincide with the popular family film, the "Harry and the Hendersons" trading card set aimed to capture the movie's blend of comedy, adventure, and heartwarming moments. Topps, a giant in the trading card industry, was well-versed in producing sets for popular movies and television shows, and "Harry" fit the bill for a family-friendly collectible.

The set consisted of 66 base cards and a complementary subset of 11 stickers. Each wax pack contained a selection of these cards and stickers, plus the quintessential stick of pink bubble gum. Full boxes held 36 wax packs, enticing kids and collectors to try and complete their sets.

The card fronts featured vibrant stills from the movie, showcasing Harry in all his furry glory, alongside John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and the rest of the Henderson clan. A distinctive design element was the wood-grain border framing each image, giving the cards a rustic, Pacific Northwest feel that matched the film's setting. Card backs provided a brief narrative related to the front image, and many also included a "Harry's Fun Facts" section with trivia about Bigfoot or a piece of a larger puzzle image that could be assembled from multiple cards.

The 11 stickers were die-cut and typically featured Harry in various poses, often with his name or a catchy phrase, against a bright red border. These were a prized find in any pack.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Collectible Sasquatch

Specific "behind-the-scenes" stories detailing the production of the "Harry and the Hendersons" card set itself are scarce, as is common for many non-sport sets from this era that weren't mega-franchises. The process would have involved Topps licensing the rights from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, then selecting compelling images from the film's publicity stills and production shots.

The design choice of the wood-grain border was a nice thematic touch, likely intended to evoke the forested environment Harry hailed from. The "Harry's Fun Facts" on the card backs added an extra layer of engagement beyond just recounting the movie's plot, playing into the Bigfoot lore that the film popularized.

Unlike some earlier Topps movie sets, there is no widely known O-Pee-Chee (OPC) Canadian counterpart for the "Harry and the Hendersons" set, suggesting it was primarily a U.S. Topps release.

Value Assessment and Rarity

The 1987 Topps "Harry and the Hendersons" trading card set is generally considered quite affordable and not exceptionally rare in the current collectibles market.

• Complete Sets: A full set of 66 base cards and 11 stickers can often be found for prices typically ranging from $15 to $30, depending on condition.

• Single Cards/Stickers: Individual common cards are usually very inexpensive, often less than a dollar each. Stickers, particularly popular poses of Harry, might command slightly more, perhaps $1-$3 each, with high-grade examples fetching a bit more.

• Unopened Wax Packs: These can be found for around $3-$7 per pack.

• Unopened Wax Boxes: Full, sealed boxes of 36 packs are still available and are relatively affordable compared to more sought-after non-sport boxes from the era, generally selling in the $70-$120 range.

Factors influencing value:

• Condition: As always, mint or near-mint condition cards and stickers will command the best prices. Cards from this era are susceptible to gum stains, off-centering, and corner wear. Professionally graded cards (e.g., by PSA) in high grades (PSA 8, 9, or 10) will be worth significantly more, but the cost of grading might outweigh the raw card value for many common cards in this set.

• Completeness: Sets that include all cards and all stickers are more desirable.

While the set isn't rare, finding perfectly centered, pack-fresh examples of every card and sticker can still be a fun challenge for dedicated collectors. No specific cards or stickers are known to be "short-printed" or exceptionally difficult to find relative to others in the set.

Fun Facts

• Woodsy Design: The unique wood-grain border is one of the most memorable visual aspects of the set, tying it directly to the film's Pacific Northwest setting.

• Harry's Fun Facts: The inclusion of Bigfoot-related trivia on the card backs offered an extra bit of entertainment and educational value for young collectors fascinated by the legendary creature.

• Puzzle Power: Like many Topps sets of the era, the puzzle pieces on the card backs encouraged repeat purchases to complete the full image, which often depicted Harry or a movie scene.

• Sticker Appeal: The die-cut stickers were a highlight, allowing kids to stick Harry on their notebooks, lunchboxes, and bedroom walls.

• A Product of its Time: The set is a nostalgic snapshot of late 1980s movie merchandising, when trading cards were a common and popular tie-in for family films.

The 1987 Topps "Harry and the Hendersons" trading cards may not be the most valuable non-sport set on the market, but they hold a special charm for fans of the film and collectors of 80s nostalgia. They offer an affordable and fun way to remember a beloved movie character and a simpler time in collecting.

Sources:

• PSA CardFacts: Information on set composition and individual card details. (www.psacard.com)

• Trading Card Database (TCDB): Set checklists, images, and collector notes. (www.tcdb.com)

• Various collector hobby sites and blogs such as "Wax Eye," "Rad Stallion," and the former "Jeff Allender's House of Checklists" (now often archived or integrated into other sites) for general set information, pack and box imagery, and collector commentary.

• Online marketplaces like eBay for current value assessments and availability.