The 1990 CMC baseball card set was one of the more unique card releases of the late 80s/early 90s era. Issued by Conlon Media Company, the CMC brand was a low budget alternative to the dominating brands of Topps, Donruss, and Fleer during that time period. While CMC cards may not have had the brand power behind them, the 1990 set featured some key rookie cards and design elements that have given them lasting interest and value among collectors today.
Released right at the cusp of a new baseball decade, the 1990 CMC cards featured 332 total cards and captured many of the league’s rising young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Chief among the rookie cards were Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners and Gregg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs. Both Griffey and Maddux ended up as first ballot Hall of Famers and had long, dominant careers that still captivate fans today. Their rookie cards from the 1990 CMC set, while not as iconic as their Topps or Donruss/Pinnacle rookies, still hold significance as representations of two of the game’s greatest players in their early careers.
Other notable rookie cards in the 1990 CMC set include Ellis Burks (Rockies), Dante Bichette (Reds), Jeff Bagwell (Red Sox), and David Justice (Braves). While none of these players achieved the status of Griffey or Maddux, they all had solid MLB careers and their rookie cards have found steady collectors interest over the past three decades. Burks, Bichette, and Justice in particular posted multiple All-Star and Silver Slugger seasons and have leftover fan demand for their early baseball memorabilia.
Beyond the rookie cards, the 1990 CMC set also features valuable starring cards for superstars such as Nolan Ryan (Rangers), Wade Boggs (Red Sox), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles), and Ozzie Smith (Padres). These were all active Hall of Famers still producing at elite levels in 1990 and collectors have long sought out high quality copies of their starring CMC cards to add to collections paying tribute to their careers.
From a design and production standpoint, the 1990 CMC issue had some unique elements that set it apart. For starters, the photograph size was larger than many other contemporary baseball cards. This allowed for sharper, more detailed pictures that had a richer image quality compared to competitors. The card stock was thinner and more prone to crimping or damage compared to the sturdier card stock of brands like Topps Flagship or Donruss.
The 1990 CMC set had a vivid color scheme with primarily green borders and stat/team name boxes. This gave the overall set a very fresh and eye-catching visual pop compared to the more muted colors used on many late 80s/early 90s cards. The green borders in particular became a defining look for CMC cards during this period. While not for everyone, collectors do acknowledge the 1990 set’s creative graphical presentation even if the thinner card stock was prone to wear and tear.
With any vintage card release, scarcity and population reports play a big role in long term collectibility and value appreciation. The 1990 CMC set, being a lower print run brand compared to the giants of the industry, naturally experienced higher levels of attrition over the decades. Population numbers for high grade copies of stars, rookies, and key cards have dwindled significantly according to tracking done by leading population report providers like PSA and BGS.
This scarcity is a major driver of rising values, especially for the rookie debuts of Griffey, Maddux, Bagwell, and Justice which have seen exponential gains as true gem mint 9 or 10 quality examples become exceptionally rare. But even lesser stars and key cards have benefited as condition sensitive collectors hunt the remaining best preserved versions still in existence. With each passing year, natural forces take more copies permanently out of circulation, increasing individual card desirability.
Taking all of these factors into account – the star power featured, the rookie card significance, the set’s unique graphical qualities, and the population decline effects – the 1990 CMC baseball card release has developed a very strong collector following and value profile over the past 30+ years. While a no-name brand at the time of issue, the passage of history has elevated their status among today’s savvy vintage market investors and theme team collectors. With each new Hall of Fame induction or career milestone, the allure and demand is perpetuated further for this memorable yet oft-overlooked 1980s/90s baseball card set release.
For the crown jewels that do surface in pristine condition like a Griffey or Maddux rookie PSA Gem Mint 10, values have consistently achieved the multiple thousands of dollar threshold and shown steady inclines. But there is strong collector demand and respectable return on investment potential found throughout, from the superstars and key rookies down to solid role players and backups, with condition and eye appeal always dictating ultimate price achieved. And with each new year, the numbers winnow further, accentuating the significance of the 1990 CMC set within the broader baseball memorabilia collecting landscape.
