The 1990 and 1991 Upper Deck baseball card sets are considered by many collectors to be the pinnacle of the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While production numbers were massive for many players, certain rookie cards and Hall of Fame talents stand out as tremendously valuable even today. Let’s take a detailed look at some of the most valuable cards collectors seek from the 1990 and 1991 Upper Deck sets.
Perhaps the most prominent card from the 1990 Upper Deck set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best rookie cards of all time for any sport, Griffey’s electrifying play and longtime star status have made this card extremely sought after by collectors. PSA 10 gem mint copies regularly sell for well over $10,000 today. Even lower graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range can still fetch thousands. Griffey was already generating major buzz in 1990 as a truly special talent, and this card captured his stardom before it fully emerged.
Another huge star from 1990 Upper Deck is the Frank Thomas rookie card. Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is a highly coveted piece for collectors. PSA 10 Thomas rookies have sold for over $6,000. With his prolific power numbers and consistency, this rookie holds up very well as a key card from the set.
Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg had one of his finest seasons in 1990, batting .306 with 40 stolen bases as he captured the NL MVP Award. His featured card from that year’s Upper Deck set appropriately highlights his achievements. Higher graded PSA 10 exemplars of this Sandberg card have sold for well north of $1,000.
Continuing with MVP talents, the 1990 Barry Bonds card also retains value. Bonds was already establishing himself as a superstar and five-tool threat at this point. PSA 10 copies have crossed the $1,000 mark at auction. The 1991 Barry Bonds card is also noteworthy, with 10s bringing in the $500-700 range.
For pitchers, Nolan Ryan’s 1990 Upper Deck card shines given his legendary status. Career highlights are outlined on this card featuring the all-time strikeout king. PSA 10 examples have sold for $800-1,000. Tom Glavine’s rookie card from the 1990 set is also one to watch. The Hall of Fame lefty went on to win 305 games and two Cy Young Awards. Higher graded versions can reach $300-400.
One of the rarest rookie cards across all sports is the Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Upper Deck Pre-Rookie card. Only 100 were produced making this one of the most sought after cards in existence. In 2017, a PSA 10 sold for an eye popping $675,000, setting records. While almost impossible to acquire, it shows Griffey’s cards from this time hold unparalleled value.
The 1991 Upper Deck set featured many star rookies as well. Chuck Knoblauch, who won the 1991 AL Rookie of the Year, has a widely pursued rookie card. Higher graded PSA/BGS versions consistently sell for $100-200. Another impressive rookie is Bernie Williams, who went on to win four World Series with the Yankees. PSA 10 copies cross $150-250. Edgar Martinez’s debut card also draws interest given his Hall of Fame induction. $75-150 prices are typical.
After superb seasons in 1990-91, Kirby Puckett’s cards gained notoriety. His 1990 OD card highlights his Gold Glove abilities. PSA 10s sell over $100. Good foil examples have also sold for over $400. Puckett’s 1991 offering is also strong, with 10s bringing $75-150. Doug Drabek, who tossed a no-hitter and won the NL Cy Young in 1990, has a prominent card from that year’s set. Higher graded versions can command $75-150.
The 1990 and 1991 Upper Deck sets provided a fun and innovative take on the baseball card experience right before the junk wax era fully took hold. While printed quantities dwarfed earlier years, star rookies and talented veterans still create highly valuable collectors’ items for Griffey, Thomas, Sandberg and more from this era. Condition-sensitive collectors continue to closely monitor the marketplace for pristine examples of cards from these classic Upper Deck issues.
