The 1991 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable sets of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it didn’t feature any rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, it did include several stars who were entering their primes or coming off huge seasons in 1990. For collectors looking to build a portfolio of valuable vintage cards from the junk wax era, several cards from the ’91 Donruss set stand out.
Perhaps the most coveted card from the set is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Griffey was already one of the brightest young stars in baseball in 1990 when he hit .299 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in his age 20 season. Card #1 in the set captured “The Kid” at the start of what would become a legendary career. While production numbers were high for 1991 Donruss cards, Griffey’s popularity and career trajectory have made this one of the most expensive common cards from the era. PSA 10 examples routinely sell for well over $1000.
Another star on the rise featured prominently was Frank Thomas. After breaking out in 1990 with a .318 average, 21 home runs and 71 RBI, “The Big Hurt” was card #99 in the ’91 Donruss set. Thomas would go on to have one of the best careers of any hitter from the 1990s, winning two MVP awards. High grade examples of his rookie card also command four-figure prices.
Two other young sluggers given prominent card numbers were Juan Gonzalez at #11 and Barry Bonds at #13. Gonzalez was coming off back-to-back 30+ home run seasons for the Rangers in ’89 and ’90 while Bonds was in his early Pirates days before becoming the all-time home run king. While not true rookie cards, these served as the players’ first flagship Donruss issues.
Veteran superstars featured included Nolan Ryan on card #15. At age 44 in 1991, Ryan was still pitching effectively for the Rangers. His card captures an all-time great nearing the end of an incredible career. Ryne Sandberg, winner of the 1990 NL MVP award, took the #17 card. “Ryno” was in his prime with the Cubs and considered one of the best all-around players in baseball during this time period.
Two other veterans given early card numbers were Roger Clemens at #19 and Wade Boggs at #23. “The Rocket” was coming off a 21 win season for the Red Sox in 1990 and would go on to win three more Cy Young awards. Boggs meanwhile was a perennial .300 hitter and the face of the Red Sox franchise. Both were established stars that helped draw collectors to the ’91 Donruss set.
The design aesthetic of the 1991 Donruss set also lent itself to strong memorability and collectibility. The classic blue, white and gray color scheme along with bold all-caps lettering made for cards that really popped in the collection. Closeup action photos dominated along with fun retro-style borders. Combined with the talent featured, it’s easy to understand why collectors remain drawn to this particular vintage release nearly 30 years later.
In addition to star players, the 1991 Donruss set is also known for key rookie cards outside the main numbers. Tom Glavine, who would go on to become a 300 game winner and two-time Cy Young award winner, had his first card issued. Other future Hall of Famers like Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas, and Mike Piazza had their rookie cards, though in lower numbers. Even role players like Bip Roberts, who became a fan favorite for the Rangers, had memorable rookie issues.
For investors, the ’91 Donruss set presents opportunities to acquire affordable vintage cards from a true “junk wax” era release. While production numbers remain high, star cards like Griffey, Thomas, Bonds, and Clemens have shown steady appreciation over decades. Strategically acquiring and holding examples in high grades offers upside potential as the players’ careers are recognized. The set also works well as a affordable vintage group to collect with plenty of stars and prospects represented across the 792 card checklist.
While not the most expensive vintage baseball card set overall, the 1991 Donruss collection remains a touchstone of the early 1990s hobby boom. Featuring young superstars like Griffey and Bonds on the rise along with veterans like Ryan and Sandberg, it captures a great moment in the sport. Combined with a classic aesthetic and memorable rookie issues, the ’91 Donruss cards retain a strong fanbase among collectors today. For building a portfolio of affordable vintage investments or collecting a memorable piece of baseball card history, it presents many attractive options.
