In the fall of 1978, a new television show took America by storm. Spinning off from a guest spot on Happy Days, Mork & Mindy and its otherworldly star, Robin Williams, became an overnight cultural phenomenon. The nation was captivated by the zany, rainbow-suspendered alien from Ork and his human roommate in Boulder, Colorado. Capitalizing on this instant "Mork-Mania," the Topps Company did what it did best: it immortalized the craze in a series of colorful, collectible trading cards.

History: Catching Lightning in a Wax Pack

When Mork & Mindy premiered on ABC in September 1978, no one could have predicted its explosive success. The show was an immediate ratings juggernaut, averaging over 60 million viewers at its peak. The driving force was the meteoric talent of a young Robin Williams, whose manic, improvisational energy was unlike anything seen on television. His alien catchphrases—"Nanu-Nanu," "Shazbot!"—entered the popular lexicon almost instantly.

Topps, ever vigilant for the next big thing, rushed a trading card set into production to hit store shelves while the show was at its zenith. Released in late 1978, these cards were an essential piece of memorabilia for millions of young fans, offering a tangible connection to their favorite TV alien. Sold in wax packs for a dime or a quarter, they came with the signature slab of pink bubble gum and a chance to collect every zany moment from the show.

Breaking Down the Set: Mork's Orkan Diary

The 1978 Topps Mork & Mindy collection is a single, comprehensive series that perfectly captures the spirit of the show's beloved first season.

• The Main Set: The collection consists of 99 standard-sized cards and a chase set of 22 stickers.

• Card Fronts: Each card features a vibrant still from the show, enclosed in a bold blue border. At the bottom, a bright yellow box contains a witty caption or a direct quote from the scene depicted. The images focus heavily on Mork's hilarious antics and his charming interactions with Mindy McConnell (Pam Dawber).

• Card Backs: The card backs are a highlight of the set. Designed to look like a page from "Mork's Orkan Diary," they are written in the first person from Mork's naive, alien perspective. Each entry humorously describes the Earthly custom or event shown on the front, offering fans a deeper dive into the show's lore. They are printed in simple blue ink on classic gray cardstock.

• Stickers: The 22 stickers feature posed shots of the main characters and iconic Mork-isms, such as his "Nanu-Nanu" hand gesture. The sticker backs form a large photo puzzle of Mork and Mindy, a classic Topps feature that encouraged kids to buy more packs to complete the image.

Rarity, Value, and the Robin Williams Factor

Given the show's massive popularity, Topps produced these cards in huge quantities. Consequently, the set is not considered rare, and raw (ungraded) cards are widely available and affordable for collectors today.

However, the passage of time and the enduring legacy of Robin Williams have influenced the set's value, especially for high-quality examples.

• Value Assessment (as of August 2025):

  • Raw Complete Set (99 cards, 22 stickers): $15 - $30

  • Unopened Wax Pack: $5 - $10

  • Unopened Wax Box (36 packs): $150 - $250

Like most vintage cards, the value skyrockets with professional grading. The 1978 set is plagued by the typical quality control issues of the era, most notably poor centering and rough cuts. The bold blue borders are also unforgiving, easily revealing any chipping or corner wear. This makes Gem Mint 10 examples from grading services like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) incredibly scarce.

A PSA 10 common card can sell for a surprising sum, but the real prizes are high-grade cards featuring Robin Williams. Cards like #1 "Mork...From Ork!" or any that capture his iconic poses can fetch significant prices at auction, driven by nostalgia for the show and reverence for the late comedy legend.

Behind the Scenes & Fun Facts

• An Earthly Report: The "Orkan Diary" on the card backs was a clever narrative device that mirrored Mork's weekly reports to his unseen leader, Orson. It made collecting the set feel like you were intercepting his mission logs.

• Canadian Orkan: Topps' Canadian partner, O-Pee-Chee (OPC), produced its own version of the set. While visually similar, the OPC cards are distinguished by their branding and are much scarcer than their American counterparts.

• Capturing Improv: Many of the card fronts feature photos capturing Robin Williams in mid-improvisation, preserving the spontaneous physical comedy that made the show a hit.

• A Sign of the Times: The set is a perfect snapshot of late 70s television and pop culture, from the grainy film stock of the photos to the simple, earnest humor of the captions.

The 1978 Topps Mork & Mindy set is more than just a piece of TV memorabilia; it’s a tribute to a show that launched a comedy icon. For a modest investment, collectors can own a complete piece of television history, a nostalgic reminder of a time when a friendly alien in rainbow suspenders taught the world how to laugh. Shazbot.

Sources:

• PSA CardFacts. "1978 Topps Mork & Mindy." Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

• The Cardboard Connection. "1978 Topps Mork & Mindy Trading Cards."

• Trading Card Database (TCDB). "1978 Topps Mork & Mindy."

• Jeff Allender's House of Checklists. "1978 Topps Mork & Mindy."

• Beckett Media. Vintage Non-Sport Price Guides and Market Analysis.