The 1991 Fleer Baseball card set is largely considered one of the most unique and creative releases in the modern era of baseball cards. Dubbed “Pro Visions”, the set took card design and photography in a completely different direction than previous years. Instead of traditional posed portrait shots of players, Fleer commissioned artwork and created collage-style cards using snapshots, action shots, and abstract concepts to portray each player. The unconventional aesthetic was both praised for its creativity and criticized for its departure from conventional card designs. The Pro Visions set stood out and remains a cult favorite among collectors to this day.
The set totals 341 cards and includes regular base cards, rookie/prospect cards, short prints, and special insert cards. The massive undertaking of commissioning original art and photography for each player card was led by Fleer’s Creative Director Brock Bondurant. He challenged photographers to capture players in unique ways beyond the standard posed headshots. Images were compiled, layered, and manipulated into original collage-style designs for each card. Players were incorporated into stylized graphics, action scenes, and conceptual portraits that conveyed each athlete’s style of play. Text was also creatively incorporated into the artwork in unusual placements and fonts rather than confined to traditional blocks.
While revolutionary for its time, the abstract art style was certainly polarizing among collectors. Supporters praised the creativity and thought that went into each unique design while critics argued they lacked cohesion and clarity compared to more conventional cards. Some of the more abstract or bizarre collage choices left players unrecognizable or unidentifiable at first glance. Accuracy of stats and information was also sometimes compromised in favor of the artistic expression. The unusual styles also made resale and assessment of condition and centering much more subjective compared to traditional cards.
The creative choices also resulted in some truly iconic and memorable card designs that have becomecollector favorites. Ken Griffey Jr’s card featured him diving spectacularly amid swirling colors and textures. Nolan Ryan’s placed him towering intimidatingly on a mound surrounded by radar gun readings. Ozzie Smith’s perfectly captured his acrobatic defense in an action scene. And Roberto Alomar stood out elegant and stylized in geometrical blue shades. Other unique designs featured Mark McGwire emerging from a football-like graphic or Willie McGee melodically woven into musical staff lines.
While not embraced by all, the Pro Visions set took risks that expanded the possibilities for baseball card art and pushed creative boundaries. They spark imagination and invoke different viewing experiences compared to standard static portrait shots. The abstract styles also had more longevity – the eclectic designs have remained visually interesting even as card fashions changed rather than dating themselves. Their one-of-a-kind artwork capturing iconic players has made Pro Visions cards prized collector pieces to this day sought after for their originality.
The Pro Visions set also introduced several innovative insert sets within the base card checklist. “Top Prospects” featured up-and-coming minor leaguers like Larry Walker in their early career phases. “League Leaders” highlighted statistical standouts from the 1990 season. And “Diamond Kings” paid tribute to franchise legends with classy embossed foil stripes along the borders.
Rookie cards in the set also gainedattention. Especially the ones featuring players who went on to Hall of Fame careers like Jim Thome, Mo Vaughn, and Kenny Lofton framed in their early careers. Scott Rolen, Carlos Baerga, and Charles Johnson also had memorable rookie introductions in the Pro Visions design styles. For collectors, finding and acquiring the rookie cards of future stars from this set is always exciting being some of the earliest representations of their professional careers memorialized in the iconic Pro Visions artwork.
While not without its critics upon release, the1991 Fleer Baseball Pro Visions set earned its place as one of the pioneering and creative card designs in the modern era. It took risks that expanded the parameters of baseball card art. Even 30 years later, the eclectic and imaginative collage-styles featuring iconic players remain memorable and collectible. For their originality and creative approaches to capturing the personalities and talents of baseball’s greatest athletes, the Pro Visions set remains an influential and beloved release that showcased the potential for non-traditional card designs.
