The 1991 Fleer Ultra baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the early 1990s. Issued in packs from 1991-1992, the Ultra set featured vivid color photography and cutting edge design that made the cards really stand out on the rack. While the set does not have any true “superstar” rookies, several key factors have contributed to many of the cards retaining and even increasing in value over the past 30 years.
The set contains 330 cards total, with players and managers from both the American and National Leagues included. Ranging in number from 1 to 330, each card features a colorful action photo of the player along with their career stats and biographical information on the back. What set the Ultra cards apart visually from other sets of the time was the bright, neon colored borders that popped off the card. Fleer utilized a unique four-color process that resulted in vivid hues like teal, purple, orange and pink outlining each photo.
While players like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds had already established themselves as stars by 1991, none of them had true “rookie” cards in the Fleer Ultra set since they had debuted in prior years. There are several notable “star” cards that have held and increased in value due to the players’ sustained careers and Hall of Fame inductions. For example, the Nolan Ryan card (#’s 129) has an average PSA 10 gem mint value of over $500 given his status as a pitching legend. The Cal Ripken Jr. (#’s 190), Wade Boggs (#’s 50), and Ozzie Smith (#’s 224) cards also command three-figure prices for top-graded copies due to their Hall of Fame careers.
Another factor that has benefited the value of the 1991 Fleer Ultra cards long-term has been the lack of mass production that plagued many late 80s/early 90s sets. While still quite common in circulation grades, getting high-grade Ultra cards graded at PSA/BGS 10 is more challenging than other contemporary sets. This is due to some issues with centering and surface quality control on Fleer’s part nearly 30 years ago. For patient collectors willing to search, there are still pristine copies to be found in personal collections and older card shop stock. This rarity aspect has kept 1991 Ultra on the radar of both vintage baseball card investors and set collectors alike.
While star cards and condition scarcity provide a solid baseline value floor for the set, there are also several key “hit” cards that can net collectors substantial returns if obtained in top-grade. Chief among these are the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card (#’s 249) and the Barry Bonds rookie card (#’s 249). Even in PSA 8-9 condition, copies of these rookie “superstar” cards routinely sell for $500-1000. But in the elusive PSA/BGS 10 gem mint, Griffey and Bonds rookies have reached the $15,000-25,000 range in recent auction.
Other noteworthy “hit” cards that can yield big profits include rookie cards of Tom Glavine (#’s 249), David Justice (#’s 249), and Chuck Knoblauch (#’s 249). All were future All-Stars who debuted in 1991 Ultra, making their rookie cards quite valuable to complete team and player collectors. Examples that have graded PSA/BGS 10 have sold in the $1,000-3,000 range. Two other cards that have gained value over time are the Cal Ripken Jr. All-Star card (#’s 197) and the Ozzie Smith “Wizard” card (#’s 224), which feature popular alternate images that collectors seek out.
While 1991 Fleer Ultra may lack true “rookie” cards of the biggest 90s stars, it still holds its own in the vintage baseball card market due to the factors mentioned. The nostalgic design, scarcity of high-grade copies, and presence of valuable rookie and star cards continue to attract collectors. With the set celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021, interest and prices for 1991 Ultra are likely to stay steady or potentially increase further in the years ahead as the early 90s period gains more nostalgia. By combining condition scarcity, star power, and fun neon design elements, Fleer created a truly unique and collectible set that remains a staple in the collections and portfolios of savvy baseball card investors.
