The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is one of the most coveted by collectors for several key reasons. Not only was it the first major set released after the famous 1986 Topps set that featured Ken Griffey Jr.’s famous rookie card, but unopened wax packs from the 1987 Fleer set are extremely scarce today and very rarely become available on the secondary market.
For those not familiar with how baseball card production worked in the late 1980s, Fleer and Topps were the only two companies licensed by Major League Baseball to produce official card sets each year during that time period. Topps had been the baseball card leader for decades, but Fleer entered the baseball card industry in 1981 and was finally able to compete directly with Topps for the first time in 1987.
Both companies rushed to get their 1987 sets to market as soon as the 1986 season concluded in order to capitalize on the excitement around rookie stars like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and of course, Ken Griffey Jr. As a result, quality control and packaging seems to have suffered compared to other years. Fleer in particular had issues with centering, cutting, and adhesion of the cardboard backings on many cards that year.
Reports indicate Fleer produced only a fraction of the wax packs that Topps did for the 1987 season. Many speculate this was due to unforeseen production problems, or perhaps intentional in order for Fleer to maintain scarcity and demand. Either way, finding sealed 1987 Fleer wax packs today is such a rare occurrence that most serious vintage collectors have never even seen one in person.
Each wax pack from 1987 originally contained 7 cardboard trading cards. The fronts featured colorful player photos with team logos and player names/positions. The backs included career statistics and brief biographical info. Some of the stars featured that year included Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, and Wade Boggs. The design aesthetic had a classic 1980s feel with bright colors and fonts.
Rookie cards of importance in the 1987 Fleer set included Benito Santiago, Mike Harkey, Gregg Jefferies, and of course, Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey’s rookie is arguably the most significant in the set, though finding it in pristine mint condition inside an unopened wax pack would command an astronomical price in today’s vintage market.
The rarity and condition of any unopened 1987 Fleer baseball card packs found today make them an incredibly valuable collectible. They represent one of the only opportunities for collectors to acquire sealed, factory-fresh packs from that revolutionary time in the industry when Fleer was truly competing directly with Topps.
Any wax packs that can be proven to have been properly stored and untouched since 1987 would attract attention from the biggest spenders in the hobby. The original shrink wrap and cardboard would need to be completely intact with no tears, bends or creases to maximize their condition census. Even minor flaws could diminish their estimated value.
If found with flawless packaging, an unopened 1987 Fleer wax baseball card pack could potentially be valued anywhere from $10,000 up to $50,000 or more depending on interest from collectors and bids in an public auction. For comparison, a sealed 1986 Fleer pack recently sold for over $23,000. Condition is absolutely critical to preserving the maximum perceived worth.
Firsthand accounts indicate distribution of 1987 Fleer packs may have been quite limited outside of select hobby shops and card shows frequented by serious collectors. The packs have remained exceptionally elusive considering the set included stars and Rookie Cup contenders from 1987’s exciting National League and American League seasons.
An unopened 1987 Fleer baseball card wax pack found today in pristine condition would be one of the true Holy Grails for any vintage card collector. They represent an unprecedented time capsule opportunity to not only acquire coveted classic cards in a time-warped state, but to own an important piece of historial memorabilia from when Fleer was shaking up the baseball card industry. With extreme rarity, condition is king, and a perfect example could sell for a small fortune to the right buyer.
