The 1986 Fleer baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the golden era of the 1980s. It marked Fleer’s return to the baseball card market after a four-year absence. The set featured an array of stars from the era as well as several short printed and rare cards that have become highly coveted by collectors.
Fleer obtained the license to produce baseball cards again in 1986 after Topps had monopolized the baseball card industry for several years. They sought to make a big splash with their return by designing flashy and innovative cards that would capture the attention of the young collectors who were just becoming interested in the hobby.
The set featured 382 total cards with 330 commons and 52 short printed cards that were much harder to find in packs. Some of the biggest star players featured included Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett. The true gems of the set were the short printed cards that have gained legendary status among collectors to this day.
Two of the most famous short prints in the entire hobby come from the 1986 Fleer set – the Mike Schmidt card (#373) and the Nolan Ryan card (#330). These cards were printed in extremely low numbers, making them exceedingly rare pulls from packs. Both command prices well into the thousands of dollars today for high graded mint condition copies.
Another notoriously scarce card is the Tim Raines rookie (#181) which was also short printed. His rookie card from the 1983 Fleer set is also very valuable, but the 1986 Fleer version takes the prestige to another level due to its rarity. Other short prints like the Ozzie Smith (#338), Dwight Gooden (#288), and Jack Morris (#312) are also in high demand.
The design aesthetic of the 1986 Fleer set broke new ground compared to previous issues. The cards featured bold colors, fun cartoon-like artwork, and a unique die-cut effect around the borders. This gave each card a distinct look that popped out of the pack. The innovative style was a big hit with the emerging generation of young collectors.
The die-cut borders also served a practical purpose – they helped prevent the gum stains and damage that often plagued the cardboard in the era before premium protective cases and sleeves. This preservation factor added to the long-term appeal and gradeability of the 1986 Fleer cards compared to some earlier sets.
While the set is most famous for its legendary short prints, there are also many other notable rookie and star cards that remain popular. The Kirby Puckett rookie (#413) is a classic. The Don Mattingly starring as the “Hit Man” (#144) is a highly iconic card image from the time period. And the Ozzie Smith backflip card (#61) perfectly captures the Wizard’s signature defensive flair.
In the decades since, the 1986 Fleer baseball set has taken on an almost mythical status. The innovative design, iconic players, and extreme rarities have all contributed to its legacy. Pristine high-grade examples of the key short prints can sell for over $100,000. But there is also strong collector interest in complete common sets and even lower-grade versions of stars like Schmidt, Ryan, and Raines.
For those who collected cards as kids in the 1980s, the 1986 Fleer issue holds a special nostalgia. And a new generation of collectors has also come to appreciate its significance in the development of the modern baseball card industry. The perfect storm of stars, style, and scarcity has cemented the 1986 Fleer set as one of the most coveted and valuable in the entire hobby. Its legacy and collectibility will surely continue to grow for decades to come.
