The 1987 Fleer Limited Edition baseball card set was an iconic high-end release from the Fleer company that is still highly sought after by collectors today. With only 5,000 sets produced, the 1987 Fleer Limited cards had an air of exclusivity that helped drive interest and demand upon their initial release.
Fleer’s standard 1987 baseball card set featured designations like “Team Leader”, “Series I”, and “Traded” that collectors had become accustomed to. The company saw an opportunity to produce a limited run premium product targeting the most avid adults fans and investors. The set would contain fewer but higher quality cards that truly captured the stars of the day in unique ways.
Each 1987 Fleer Limited Edition set contained an unprecedented 300 cards and was packaged beautifully in a custom hard plastic case. The cards themselves were much larger in size than a typical baseball card at 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. They were also substantially thicker and printed on high quality stock to better showcase the intense color photography on each card. Another distinctive feature was the purple border that ran around the perimeter of every card.
In terms of the actual players and content featured, the 1987 Fleer Limited Edition set solely focused on stars, future Hall of Famers, and the biggest names in baseball at that time. Some of the legendary players included were Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, and Mike Schmidt. Rarity was a clear goal, so many inclusion relied more on star power than a specific team roster. Alternate photos not seen elsewhere added to the cards’ appeal.
Authentic autographs were a huge element that further personalized each and every 1987 Fleer Limited Edition card. Every single one featured a genuine signed swatch of material that had been touched by the player depicted on the front. These were likely obtained through special photo shoots and Fleer promotional events that stars attended. Even 30+ years later, the signatures remain in pristine condition protected by the high-quality stock.
Given how few sets existed, finding one in perfect preserved condition today is extremely difficult. Upon release, individual cards seemed plentiful enough as many collectors looked to acquire their favorite stars. As the years passed and interest grew in vintage material, the limited print run was soon fully absorbed into collections. Because of their investment-grade design and premium memorabilia components, very few 1987 Fleer Limited sets have changed hands since initial purchase.
For those lucky enough to own a 1987 Fleer Limited Edition, it has undoubtedly provided immense enjoyment and appreciation as a true work of collectible art. Even for those just admiring from afar, the release demonstrated Fleer’s innovation and willingness to produce a hobby product far beyond the standard norms of the 1980s. Its rarity, star power, and high-end presentation made it a standout that still holds legendary status in the minds of baseball card fans. While out of reach for most to acquire today, the 1987 Fleer Limited Edition remains an iconic symbol of the early growth and potential of the modern collecting phenomenon.
The 1987 Fleer Limited Edition baseball card set was a revolutionary release that took collectibles to an unprecedented luxury level. With an exclusive print run, jumbo size, top players, signed memorabilia, and meticulous packaging, it offered a premium investment product especially appealing to wealthy adult collectors and investors. Its extreme scarcity, flawless condition of surviving units, and status as a true work of memorabilia art has cemented the 1987 Fleer Limited Edition as one of the most coveted and pricy vintage card releases ever made. Even after 35 years, it retains a mythical allure that few subsequent sets have matched in the eyes of dedicated collectors.
