The 1991 Fleer Ultra baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable of the early 1990s. With the rising popularity of rookie cards in the late 1980s and early 90s, Upper Deck’s entrance into the baseball card market in 1989 created more competition and led companies like Fleer to take more risks with their designs and included players. The 1991 Fleer Ultra set took several gambles that paid off tremendously for collectors and fans.
The design of the 1991 Fleer Ultra cards stands out compared to other sets from that time period. They featured a unique silver ultrafoil boarder around each card that really makes them pop on the shelf or in a binder. The photos were also of higher quality than typical Fleer issues from that era. Combined with several highly desirable rookies and stars, these elements have made the 1991 Fleer Ultra set hold value extremely well over the past 3 decades.
One of the biggest rookie cards from the 1991 Fleer Ultra set is Griffey Jr RC #166. Ken Griffey Jr. went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the most talented outfielders in MLB history. His rookie card has remained one of the most in-demand and valuable cards ever printed. In near mint to mint condition, the Griffey Jr rookie regularly sells for over $1000 raw and can reach upwards of $3000 or more if it grades well. Even in excellent condition, this card still brings $500-700.
Another iconic rookie card is Frank Thomas #424. “The Big Hurt” was already showing his impressive power numbers as a rookie in 1991 and would go on to have a monster career hitting over 500 home runs. High grade Thomas rookies sell for $300-500 but can climb past $1000 if it gets that elusive PSA 10 grade. This is still a very affordable Hall of Famer card for collectors compared to others from the early 90s.
Chipper Jones had a breakout season in 1991 and his rookie card #339 from Fleer Ultra is a hot commodity. As the future longest tenured player with the Atlanta Braves franchise and an 8-time All-Star, Chipper Jones rookie cards have skyrocketed in value in recent years. Near mint to mint versions can easily fetch $400-600. Even well-centered excellent graded cards sell in the $200 range regularly.
Another star from 1991 was a young Derek Jeter. While he didn’t have superstar status yet as a rookie, collectors recognize him as a future Hall of Famer and Yankees captain from the start. His rookie card #337 has good demand, with PSA/BGS 9s selling for $150-250 and raw near mints getting $100-150. It’s an affordable option for a respected player collection.
The 1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie is the crown jewel, but this Fleer Ultra version #166 remains extremely popular with collectors too. It captures Griffey at an earlier point in his career in an aesthetically pleasing design that maintains a high degree of collectability. Cards of Hall of Famers and all-time greats like Griffey Jr, Frank Thomas, Chipper Jones, and Derek Jeter make the 1991 Fleer Ultra set a must have for collectors on any budget. High grade versions or impressive rookie cards for these players can still be acquired for reasonable prices considering their place in baseball history.
1991 also saw rookie cards for players like Tom Glavine #387, Mike Piazza #463, and David Justice #77 who all had impressive MLB careers. While not elite rookie cards, they remain affordable options for team collectors or to complete a set. Other notable veterans featured include Nolan Ryan #1, Ryne Sandberg #25, Cal Ripken Jr. #129, and Kirby Puckett #270. With a mix of rookies, stars and Hall of Famers, 1991 Fleer Ultra has aged very well and endures as one of the most collectable issues from the early 1990s sports card boom. Values remain strong and the set holds up remarkably after 30 years.
For beginners, collecting the 1991 Fleer Ultra set remains a cost-effective way to obtain cards from such a memorable era in baseball history. Start by checking local card shops,Shows, and online auction sites to acquire common players to slowly work towards completing the 660-card master collection over time. For more advanced collectors, hunting pristine graded examples of the top rookie cards offers an exciting long-term investment opportunity. The 1991 Fleer Ultra design and its place capturing the talents of future stars like Griffey Jr, Thomas, and Chipper Jones ensures this set will retain an enthusiastic collector fanbase for generations to come.
