The 1991 Fleer Ultra baseball card set was notable for being the first team-focused set to be released by Fleer in over a decade. The novelty of focusing on entire teams rather than individual players sparked collector interest upon its release. The set contains 162 total cards and devotes full teams to a single card with all 25 members included. This allowed for larger images and interesting artistic designs showing team uniforms, logos, and stadium backdrops.
Fleer had lost the license to produce traditional player cards to Topps in 1981. To stand out in the marketplace, Fleer innovated by creating unique sets with alternate concepts and photos. The Ultra brand was launched in 1990 with a retro focused design. For 1991, Fleer brought back the team concept which had not been seen since their last multi-team set released in 1979. Teams are arranged alphabetically from the American League to the National League to make card finding straightforward.
Some key aspects that made the 1991 Fleer Ultra Team set collectible include:
Roster Accuracy: Teams rosters were updated to reflect the previous season’s results. This was the first season after the 1990 trade deadline and free agency period so many new players appeared with their new clubs. This added to the set’s accuracy and replay value for fans.
Large Crisp Photos: Each card features a large centralized action photo of the team. Many show candid action shots from games. The photos fill nearly the entire front of the card allowing for clear identifiable images of each player. This was an upgrade from the tiny crowded individual player photos of the time.
Detailed Designs: Backgrounds for each team card include realistic depictions of their home ballparks along with team logos, colors and other graphical elements. This added production value and closely linked each team card to the real franchises they represented.
Expanded Statistics: Along with basic year-by-year stats for the team on the front, the back of each card lists additional data like league finishes, season results and playoff outcomes when applicable. This provided extra historical context beyond just a single season snapshot.
Scarcity: With only one card devoted to each team and a strict limitation of 162 total cards,completing the full set posed a collecting challenge. The scarcity added to the allure and prestige of owning a complete 1991 Fleer Ultra Team set.
Some key aspects that made individual 1991 Fleer Ultra Team cards collectible and popular include:
Atlanta Braves: Features a dynamic action shot of Deion Sanders on the basepaths. As a rookie sensation, his inclusion boosted the card’s popularity.
Boston Red Sox: Shows the team celebrating amid confetti on the field, commemorating their Improbable come from behind 1990 season win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago Cubs: Features stellar rookie candidate Mark Grace batting along with veteran Ryne Sandberg in the backdrop.
Cincinnati Reds: Depicts fan favorite players like Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo along with memorable manager Lou Piniella who led them to the 1990 World Series Title.
Kansas City Royals: Includes George Brett in his final season cementing his Hall of Fame career entirely with the Royals franchise.
New York Mets: Highlights a dominant pitching rotation led by Dwight Gooden and David Cone who would lead them back to the 1991 World Series.
Oakland Athletics: Presented the dominant “Swingin’ A’s” lineup of the era led by Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire mid home run trot.
In the following years, Fleer would shift back to traditional player focused card designs but the 1991 Fleer Ultra Team set remains a popular milestone in the company’s history. It represented the first team cards collectors had seen in over a decade and delivered a fresh concept with high production values. Factors like large photos, detailed graphics and statistical information produced cards that resonated with fans both casual and serious. Though it lacked the individual player chase of other contemporary options, the set captured the magic of an entire lineup working together towards a common goal. For these reasons, the 1991 Fleer Ultra Team cards remain a nostalgic favorite among vintage collectors today.
