The 1991 Donruss baseball set was released at the tail end of the junk wax era, but still featured several star players and rookie cards that have stood the test of time. While the set lacked the flashy designs and holograms of some late ’80s/early ’90s sets, it focused on highlighting the biggest names in the game at the time through classic photography. Several of the top rookies and veterans from the 1991 season are still highly sought after by collectors today.

Perhaps the most valuable card from the ’91 Donruss set is the Kirby Puckett rookie card (#127). Puckett had already established himself as an All-Star caliber player by 1991 with four straight Gold Glove awards and two batting titles under his belt. His rookie card remained elusive for collectors at the time as he had debuted in 1984. In gem mint 10 condition, Puckett’s rookie now sells for well over $1,000. Even well-worn lower grade examples still demand $100+ due to his status as a fan favorite and member of the Twins’ 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams.

Another hugely valuable rookie is Chuck Knoblauch’s card (#372). Knoblauch burst onto the scene in 1991 by winning both the AL Rookie of the Year and AL batting title awards. Like Puckett, his popularity in Minnesota has kept his rookie card prices high over the years. Near mint to mint copies can sell for $400-800, with gem mint 10s reaching $1,500-2,000 or more. Knoblauch proved to be a solid player for over a decade, making him one of the few true star rookies found in the large 1991 Donruss set.

While not rookies, cards of established superstars like Ken Griffey Jr. (#45), Barry Bonds (#78), and Nolan Ryan (#141) also hold great value from the ’91 Donruss collection. Griffey was already one of the most exciting young players in baseball and his incredible career only solidified his card’s value. High grade Griffey rookies from 1989 Upper Deck are among the most expensive modern cards, but even his ’91 Donruss sells for $50-150 depending on condition. Bonds and Ryan, meanwhile, were future Hall of Famers still performing at an elite level. Mint Bonds and Ryan cards can reach $75-150+ each.

Two other veterans whose ’91 Donruss cards maintain strong demand are Ryne Sandberg (#157) and Cal Ripken Jr. (#213). Sandberg was a perennial All-Star and won the 1984 and 1988 NL MVP awards. His smooth, side-profile photo makes for one of the more aesthetically pleasing cards in the set. Near mint+ examples sell in the $50-100 range. Meanwhile, Ripken was in the midst of his record-setting consecutive games played streak. He’d go on to break Lou Gehrig’s hallowed record in 1995, making his ’91 one of the more historically significant in retrospect. Mint Ripken cards trade for $75-150.

While star power drives the values of many cards, collectors also seek out more obscure players who went on to have breakout seasons. One such example is Terry Pendleton’s card (#360). Pendleton had a solid but unspectacular career through 1990, but won the 1991 NL MVP award and batting title. His surge in performance made his rookie card quite sought after in the following years. Near mint+ Pendletons can sell for $40-80 based purely on nostalgia for his career year captured on the card.

Rookies like Jeff Bagwell (#467), Tom Glavine (#468), and David Justice (#469) also gained popularity from collectors who recognized their future success before it happened. Bagwell went on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career with the Astros, making his rookie one of the more important cards for Houston collectors. Near mint Bagwells trade between $50-150. Glavine and Justice, meanwhile, were staples of the dominant Atlanta Braves teams of the 1990s. Their rookie cards from such a large set became hot commodities. Mint copies can reach $75-150 each.

While star power and future performance generate lots of interest, collectors also love unique or rare variations that make certain cards stand out above the rest. One such example is the Dennis Martinez “blank back” error card (#516). Due to a printing mistake, Martinez’s card was accidentally issued without any stats or career information on the back. This anomaly makes it one of the true errors collectors search for. Even well-worn copies in played condition sell for $75-150 due to their scarcity and appeal to errors collectors.

While produced during the tail end of the junk wax era, the 1991 Donruss baseball set avoided some of the gaudy excess of other contemporaneous issues. It focused on classic photography and highlighting both the brightest young stars as well as veterans still performing at an elite level. Rookie cards like Puckett, Knoblauch, Bagwell, Glavine and Justice hold great long term value. Meanwhile, veterans Griffey, Bonds, Ryan, Sandberg and Ripken remain fan favorites. Unique variations like the Martinez error also capture collector interest. When found in high grades, many cards from the ’91 Donruss set can demand prices over $100 even today. For students of 1990s baseball history and investors seeking undervalued vintage cardboard, it remains one of the stronger offerings from that era.