The 1991 Bowman baseball card set launched the careers of several future Hall of Famers while also featuring prominent players who were already major stars. The sheer talent featured in the set has led to many valuable rookie and star player cards emerging over the past 30 years. For serious baseball card collectors and investors, these are some of the most highly-coveted and worthwhile 1991 Bowman cards to seek out.

Perhaps the headlining rookie card from the 1991 Bowman set is Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Though not a household name today, Gonzalez had impressive power and speed that led to 25 career WAR during his 17-year MLB career. His rookie card has continually climbed in value thanks to his excellent play overall and status as one of the best prospects in 1991. In top graded Gem Mint condition, Gonzalez’s rookie now sells for well over $1,000 and could reach the $2,000-3,000 range for a true perfectionist grade.

Speaking of Blue Jays, Toronto outfielder Joe Carter’s stellar power numbers made his veteran card very popular in 1991. Carter smacked 292 career home runs and was coming off a World Series win in 1992. His card isn’t nearly as scarce as rookie cards but still demands $150-300 for high grades due to Carter’s legacy. He remains one of the most renowned postseason performers in baseball history for hitting the 1993 World Series walk-off home run.

A pair of star catchers headline the position player selections from 1991 Bowman. Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Olson smashed over 100 career home runs and made three All-Star teams. At just 27 years old in 1991, his prime years were ahead of him. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ grades of Olson’s card can net $800-1,500. Meanwhile, San Diego Padres backstop Benito Santiago took the NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1987 and went on to win three Silver Sluggers. His card in top condition fetches $300-500.

On the mound, one of the most valuable 1991 Bowman pitcher cards is Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jack Armstrong. As an unknown rookie in 1991, Armstrong’s card was undervalued for years. He went on to win 110 games over an 11-year career. High grades now sell for $800-1,200 thanks to his solid career stats in retrospect. Perhaps the standout rookie pitcher from 1991 was Toronto’s Todd Stottlemyre. The son of Mel Stottlemyre, Todd won 15 games for the eventual World Series champion Blue Jays in 1992. His gem mint rookie card is valued at $1,000-1,500 range now.

Ken Griffey Jr. was featured prominently in the 1991 Bowman set as one of the top young talents in baseball. His rookie season was delayed until 1989 when he debuted with the Seattle Mariners as a 19-year-old phenom. Even as a slightly more experienced player in 1991 Bowman, Griffey’s cards command huge premiums as one of the most valuable baseball cards ever printed. Even well-centered near mint copies bring $3,000 today, with true perfection grades like PSA 10 eclipsing $15,000-20,000 each. Among non-rookie cards, Griffey is simply unmatched from this classic set.

As for the true 1991 rookie card headliner, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter takes the cake. Though overshadowed by Griffey in terms of prospect fame, Carter enjoyed a superb 19-year career with 294 HR and 1,609 hits. He captured the 1993 World Series MVP for Toronto by hitting a walk-off home run. Due to Carter’s postseason heroics in addition to his solid career, his rookie card has appreciated tremendously. Even well-centered near mint 8’s can be found for $600-800 today. But pristine PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ specimens have reached $3,000 each for the finest examples of Carter’s introduction to cardboard collectors.

Other notable highly-valued 1991 Bowman rookie cards include:

Atlanta Braves SS Jeff Blauser ($400-600 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

Cincinnati Reds SP Tim Belcher ($500-800 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

Cleveland Indians SP Dennis Cook ($400-600 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

Milwaukee Brewers C Dave Nilsson ($300-500 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

New York Yankees RP Steve Adkins ($250-400 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Randy Tomlin ($300-500 PSA 10/BGS 9.5+)

The 1991 Bowman baseball set was a pivotal one that introducedCollector’s to future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. while also immortalizing stars of the early 1990s like Greg Olson, Todd Stottlemyre and Joe Carter. High quality, well-centered copies of the top rookie cards as well as stars are valued investments after 30 years. Serious collectors would be enthralled to land pristine copies of Griffey, Carter or Jack Armstrong in particular. The 1991 Bowman set endures as one of the all-time most important releases for its superb rookie class and featured players.