The 1991 Fleer Ultra baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the early 1990s. Fleer Ultra had made a name for itself by featuring sharper photography and premium quality stock compared to the mainstream offerings from Topps and Donruss. The 1991 set would take Fleer Ultra to new heights with its innovative design choices and inclusion of some of the game’s biggest stars who were entering their prime.
At only 330 cards, the 1991 Fleer Ultra set was on the smaller side compared to other releases that year. It made up for its limited size with the quality and value of the cards it featured. One of the most notable aspects of the 1991 Fleer Ultra design was the elimination of any borders around the photo. This borderless style allowed the large action shots to truly pop off the card. Background colors varied by team to help identify players at a glance. Solid colored borders separated the front and back of the cards.
While many sets from the early 90s featured a mix of action shots and posed portraits, Fleer Ultra focused solely on dynamic game photos. Many of the images captured key moments like home runs or diving catches. This gave the cards a real sense of excitement and made collecting the set very enjoyable for fans. The lack of borders and crisp photography made 1991 Fleer Ultra cards stand out in any collection from that era.
When it came to selecting which players to feature, Fleer Ultra went after the biggest names and rising stars. Many of the game’s future Hall of Famers who were in their primes in 1991 received prominent card numbers. For example, Nolan Ryan’s card was #1 as the all-time strikeout king was still pitching effectively for the Texas Rangers at age 44. Ken Griffey Jr’s explosive rookie season with the Seattle Mariners earned him the #7 card in the set as one of the most exciting young players.
Other superstar cards that year included Ryne Sandberg (#10), Kirby Puckett (#15), Cal Ripken Jr. (#20), Wade Boggs (#25), Ozzie Smith (#30), and Roberto Alomar (#50). Fleer Ultra also made sure to highlight the next generation of stars like Frank Thomas (#35), Tom Glavine (#40), and David Justice (#45). Having so many future Hall of Famers and MVP candidates among the low numbered cards added immense value and collector interest to the 1991 Fleer Ultra release.
While star power was important, Fleer Ultra also unearthed hidden gems by including breakout players or prospects who were on the verge of stardom. For example, the #75 card featured a young Jeff Bagwell during his first full season with the Houston Astros. Bagwell would go on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career. The #100 card highlighted Marquis Grissom as the budding Atlanta Braves centerfielder was beginning to emerge as a star. Cards like these provided collectors an opportunity to acquire future stars for relatively low prices before they achieved superstardom.
In addition to star players, the 1991 Fleer Ultra set paid tribute to some of the game’s iconic managers. For instance, the #250 card featured Tommy Lasorda in his trademark fiery pose as he led the Los Angeles Dodgers. Whitey Herzog receiving the #300 card nod as the architect of the St. Louis Cardinals “Whiteyball” small ball system. Legendary skippers like Earl Weaver and Dick Williams also received spots to represent their illustrious careers.
When it came to the design, photography and selection of players, Fleer Ultra clearly outshined other 1991 baseball card offerings. The true value of the set came from several key rookie cards and short printed parallel inserts that are among the most coveted and valuable in the hobby. Chief among the rookies was the ultra-short printed Kirby Puckett “Future Star” parallel card that was only available one per case. Fewer than 100 of these rare Puckett rookie parallels are believed to exist today.
Another hugely valuable rookie was the #283 card of a young Philadelphia Phillies pitcher named Curt Schilling. His stellar 20 year career that would culminate in a Hall of Fame induction has made his 1991 Fleer Ultra rookie one of the key chase cards from the entire decade. The #253 rookie card of Dennis Martinez has taken on great significance as one of the scarcest first year cards from the set due to its late number. Collectors also seek out the rookie cards of players like Bobby Bonilla, Moises Alou, and Bret Saberhagen who all enjoyed long productive MLB tenures.
In addition to star rookies, 1991 Fleer Ultra featured a variety of parallel and specialty insert cards that added tremendous chase value. The “Diamond Kings” parallel featured various players photographed in front of diamond backgrounds. Short printed variations of Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr. and others have realized huge prices. Other inserts included “Diamond Anniversary” cards marking significant milestones and a “League Leaders” subset highlighting batting and pitching stats. The incredibly rare uncut sheet of the League Leaders insert featuring Frank Thomas is one of the true holy grails for high-end collectors.
In the end, the 1991 Fleer Ultra baseball card set earned its place among the hobby’s all-time classics due to a combination of its sharp photography, star power, valuable rookies, and coveted parallel inserts. While other releases received more attention at the time due to larger print runs, 1991 Fleer Ultra has aged exceptionally well thanks to the lasting careers of the players featured. Three decades later, its best cards remain highly sought after and frequently realize impressive prices at auction. For collectors of the early 90s era, 1991 Fleer Ultra defined the premium end of the hobby and pushed the boundaries of innovative card design.
