Absolute baseball cards are some of the rarest and most valuable cards in the hobby. These cards were only produced for one year in 1987 by Fleer and are highly sought after by serious collectors. The term “absolute” refers to the extremely limited print runs of only 100 copies or less for certain star players.
The idea behind absolute cards was to produce the ultimate rare and exclusive cards for high-end collectors. Fleer printed variations of their regular 1987 baseball card design on higher quality card stock and paper to give them a premium feel. Then they severely restricted the number of each card type they produced to ensure scarcity and demand. While regular common cards from 1987 Fleer sets had prints in the millions, absolutes had microscopic runs.
Some of the most famous absolutes include Nolan Ryan #1/1, Wade Boggs #3/10, Ozzie Smith #5/100, and Roger Clemens #12/100. Holding an absolute card for a star player from that year is considered a true Holy Grail item. They are almost impossible to acquire nowadays and routinely sell for tens of thousands of dollars or more in auction.
When Fleer first released absolutes in 1987, they were randomly inserted into factory sets at extremely low statistical odds. For example, you may get 1 absolute per every 10 full box cases broken. This guaranteed they would be scarce finds that generated excitement upon discovery. Over the years as collections changed hands, most absolutes ended up with dealers who came to realize their tremendous value.
The first absolute cards didn’t have any special markings, serial numbers, or notations indicating their ultra-rare status. Collectors simply had to trust Fleer’s word that only a tiny number were produced. This led to questions about whether more could have been printed secretly. To address doubts, later 1987 Fleer absolutes had serial numbers physically stamped or handwritten onto the front of the card near the image.
This clearly designated each one as #1/100, #2/10, etc. depending on the specific parallel. It was an important step in legitimizing absolutes and getting the hobby to fully accept them as the most elite baseball cards ever made. The serial numbering system remains the standard followed to this day for high-end parallels with limited quantities.
In terms of condition, most absolutes that come up for public sale nowadays grade Mint or better. They were so rare upon release that owners tended to handle them with kid gloves for preservation. Also, many absolutes were acquired directly from Fleer and immediately sent to a professional grader like PSA. This minimized any chance of wear before being encapsulated for protection.
Mint absolutes can sell for astronomical prices. A PSA 10 Nolan Ryan #1/1 absolute fetched $447,000 at auction in 2016. Other examples include a PSA 9 Wade Boggs #3/10 selling for $106,000 in 2018 and a PSA 9 Ozzie Smith #5/100 bringing $91,000 in 2017. These numbers show just how highly coveted and valuable the top absolutes have become.
While the headliner cards get all the attention, there are also many lesser known absolutes that can still be quite valuable depending on the player featured. For example, a PSA 9 Mark McGwire #25/100 absolute sold for $20,000 in 2015. Even lesser stars from that era in a PSA 10 can sell in the low five-figure range. It’s a true testament to the allure and prestige associated with any card that bears the absolute parallel designation.
In the over 30 years since their introduction, 1987 Fleer absolutes have taken on a legendary status. They remain the holy grail finds for set collectors and are treated as veritable sports memorabilia by card investors. Although no other brand has quite captured the same lightning in a bottle magic, absolutes established the model that high-end parallels follow to this day. Their rarity, history of discovery, and immense prices have cemented 1987 Fleer absolutes as perhaps the most elite cards ever made.
