The 1987 Fleer baseball set is considered one of the more iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. Produced during a time of growing popularity in the sport, several factors make certain cards from this release particularly desirable for collectors today. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 1987 Fleer cards that continue to hold strong value in the hobby.
Released in 1987 as the fifth series by Fleer, the base set totals 660 cards featuring current major leaguers. The design depicts each player’s headshot against a colorful graphical background unique to their team. Distribution was challenging for Fleer in the 1980s as they competed with Topps for customers, so many of these common players remain relatively affordable. The set is best known for several hugely popular and valuable rookie cards that launched the careers of future Hall of Famers.
Perhaps the most iconic of all is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best player debut cards ever printed, Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing and effortless athleticism captivated fans from the start. His rookie shows him in the bold yellow and navy of the Seattle Mariners uniform. In top grades such as Mint or Near Mint, Griffey rookie cards routinely sell for well over $1000 today. Pristine PSA 10 examples have even cracked the $10,000 mark at auction. The appeal is heightened by Griffey’s status as a true five-tool Star who became the standard for outfield excellence throughout the 1990s.
Another tremendously valuable rookie is that of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine. As a young lefty for the Atlanta Braves, Glavine went on to capture 305 career wins and 2 Cy Young Awards over a hugely successful career. Like Griffey, his debut hints at the skills to come as he prepares his windup on the mound. High grade Glavine rookies in the $500-1000 range reflect his steady excellence, with PSA 10s bringing up to $3000-4000. The card celebrates not just an individual Star, but also a franchise and rivalry that came to define 1990s baseball.
The ’87 Fleer issue also introduced cards for Chipper Jones and Jeff Bagwell, who themselves went on to have Hall of Fame careers. As respected power hitters for their respective clubs, Jones with the Braves and Bagwell leading the Astros, their rookie cards remain highly sought. Near Mint or better Chipper and Bagwell rookies can each pull in $200-500. Even more impressive is that pristine PSA 10 examples of Jones and Bagwell have reached the $1500-2000 point in recent auctions. Their durable careers and status among the game’s all-time great third basemen and first basemen fuel lasting collector demand.
Beyond star rookies, several other highly conditioned rare cards provide strong value in the 1987 Fleer set. The Kirby Puckett photo variation, where he is shown smiling rather than his usual serious face, has sold for over $1000 in top condition. Other scarce variations picturing the reverse side of cards from foil pack wrappers can also reach the $300-500 range for iconic players. For the super-short print players like Oddibe McDowell, who appeared on only 9 cards total in his career, even well-centered Near Mint copies can sell briskly for $100-200.
For blockbuster hits, the 1987 Fleer release contains several one-of-a-kind serially numbered parallel issues. Chief among these is the ultra-rare Ken Griffey Jr. Golden Anniversary patch card, numbered to only 47 copies. This stunning insert features a gold foil embossed patch swatch of Griffey’s jersey, and it remains arguably the most iconic modern baseball card in existence. Just a few years ago, a PSA 9 Golden Anniversary Griffey was privately sold for an astounding $350,000, proving its elite status. Other serialized parallels like the Ryne Sandberg 1/1 printing plate also capture six-figure prices.
While 1987 Fleer set builder cards for most common players remain quite affordable overall, those highlighting rookie phenoms, variations, and one-of-a-kind serially numbered inserts remain avidly collected and command top dollar over 30 years later. The era of growth they represent, iconic rookie cards produced, and rarity factors all contribute to lasting collector enthusiasm. For vintage baseball card investors, examples in pristine protection grades especially symbolize blue-chip holdings with staying power. The 1987 Fleer release secured its place in card collecting history by introducing legends and including innovations that still excite fans today.
