The 1994 Score Select baseball card set has gained a strong cult following among collectors in recent years. Originally released alongside the mainstream 1994 Score set, Score Select featured parallel versions of the base cards with more detailed photography and stat lines on the back. While initially overlooked by most collectors at the time of release, the distinctive design elements and low print runs have made these parallel cards quite valuable today for dedicated collectors.
One of the main draws of 1994 Score Select cards is the unique photography used. Rather than basic posed shots typical of most baseball cards from the era, Score Select featured more action shots that captured players in the midst of swinging, throwing, or fielding. This gave the cards a more dynamic feel compared to the standard fare. The photos were also noticeably higher resolution and featured richer colors and finer details. While technology at the time limited photography somewhat, Score Select clearly put more effort into creative shooting angles and interesting moments to depict on the cards versus basic uniform portraits.
In addition to enhanced photography, Score Select cards also included more in-depth player stats and career highlights on the backs compared to the base Score issue. Rather than just basic career totals, backups provided a breakdown of numbers from the past few seasons along with awards, accomplishments and fun facts. This gave collectors more meaningful information and insight into each player rather than just statistics. It showed Score’s commitment to adding extra value and detail in their parallel product compared to the mainstream release.
When it came to print runs, Score Select was quite limited compared to the standard 1994 Score set. While exact numbers have never been officially reported, most experts estimate print runs in the range of one Score Select card for every 10-20 basic Score cards produced. This means parallel versions were approximately 5-10% as common as their counterparts. Such tight printing contributed greatly to the set’s subsequent collectibility since there were far fewer copies of each card in existence right from the start.
Initial consumer response to Score Select was relatively muted when the product first came out. As a parallel subset of Score rather than a stand-alone release, it received less marketing attention and didn’t have major league licensing. Many casual collectors at the time were unaware of or ignored the special photographic treatment and bonus stats. Combined with the lower print runs, this caused the parallel cards to have quite weak early sales results which were disappointing to Score at the time.
Over the following decades as interest in innovative card designs and rare parallel issues grew, Score Select saw its stock rising steadily among dedicated collectors. As supply dwindled from a combination of one-time print run and natural attrition over the years, values started climbing much higher than the base Score cards from the same year. Now in 2022, pristine near-mint examples of star players from the 1994 Score Select set can fetch prices hundreds of dollars – a huge increase from perceptions in the 1990s.
Among the most valuable cards in the 1994 Score Select set are star rookies and future Hall of Famers who debuted that year. A PSA 10 graded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie, for example, would be worth over $1,000 given his iconic status and the card’s incredible near-gem preservation. Other expensive rookies include Chipper Jones ($500 PSA 10), Jason Giambi ($300 PSA 10), and Walker ($200 PSA 10). Superstar veterans with low population PSA 10 versions like Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, and Tony Gwynn can reach several hundred dollars as well.
Beyond star players, there is strong collector demand for 1994 Score Select cards of franchise favorites, regardless of the name value. Finding a PSA 10 version of a player like Jeff Bagwell for the Houston Astros could still fetch $100-200 given his popularity locally. Orioles fans would pay up for a PSA 10 Cal Ripken Jr, even with no rookie card status. Such regional ties and team allegiances ensure almost any Hall of Famer or franchise icon from the set maintains relevance and value potential today.
Condition is extremely important when evaluating 1994 Score Select cards, as with any parallel subset from the junk wax era. With significantly lower print runs than the base issue, pristine copies that broke the plastic immediately and survived 27+ years of storage flawlessly are quite rare. Even top grades of PSA 9 can pull significantly less than a true PSA 10 gem. Heavily played or damaged cards, even of big stars, may have values of just $5-10 raw. It’s all about preservation for a set like this where near-perfect copies are always in high demand.
The 1994 Score Select baseball card set has developed a loyal long-term collector base appreciative of its photo variations, bonus stats, and tight print run compared to the mainstream release. Values that seemed underwhelming in the 1990s have rebounded remarkably well as short-term fads have faded. For discerning investors, finding pristine copies of rookie stars or local franchise icons can yield strong long-term returns. Condition is absolutely critical though, as with any parallel issue. Overall the 1994 Score Selects represent one of the hidden gems from the junk wax era deserving wider recognition today among vintage collectors.
