The 1987 Fleer Update baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the 1980s. Originally released as a supplement to Fleer’s flagship 1987 baseball card release, the Update set featured rookie cards and new photos of stars who had breakout seasons the previous year. Several of the cards from the 87 Update set have now become enormously valuable pieces of collectible memorabilia sought after by serious card collectors. Below is an in-depth examination of some of the most valuable and iconic cards from the 1987 Fleer Update set.
Perhaps the most well-known and valuable card from the 1987 Update set is the Kirby Puckett rookie card. Puckett went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Minnesota Twins, establishing himself as one of the best all-around players of the 1980s and 90s. As Puckett’s sole rookie card and one of the most recognizable from the entire decade, his 87 Update card is arguably the most iconic card in the entire set. In near-mint condition a Puckett rookie will fetch prices well over $1000 today. A gem mint copy in a PSA 10 holder could sell for upwards of $10,000 or more depending on the market. Such high values reflect Puckett’s legendary career and status as one of the most accomplished players from the late 80s/early 90s baseball era.
Another extremely valuable rook from the ’87 Update set belongs to Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Danny Jackson. As the National League Rookie of the Year in 1987 while posting a 18-6 record and 2.49 ERA, Jackson’s sole rookie card from this set is hugely sought after. High grade Jackson rookies currently sell for $500-1500 depending on condition. Like Puckett, Jackson went on to a long successful career mostly in the National Leagues which has maintained strong demand for this card long after its original printing. A PSA 10 gem mint copy would probably bring $5,000+ at auction reflecting Jackson’s accomplishments and the rarity of a true pristine mint example.
The 1987 Fleer Update also featured the rookie card of Boston Red Sox star Wade Boggs. While Boggs had previously appeared in fleer and topps sets in previous years, this was considered his true transitional “rookie” as he broke out with a .361 batting average in 1987. Boggs went on to a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Red Sox and Yankees establishing himself as one of the best right handed hitters in baseball history. His 87 Update rookie is an icon for Boston fans and Red Sox collectors alike. Near mint copies sell for $300-700 today depending on exact condition details. A BGS or PSA graded gem mint 10 could garner $2,000+ reflecting Boggs’ achievements and the high grading standards.
Several other star players from the late 1980s have valuable rookie or seminal cards in the 1987 Fleer Update set as well. San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn has a widely sought after card valued around $100-300 in top condition due to his career .338 batting average and 8 batting titles. St. Louis Cardinals legendary manager Tony La Russa has his managerial rookie card, which reaches up to $150 for pristine copies given his Hall of Fame success. Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser’s pre-breakout card can sell for $50-150 leading up to his record breaking 1988 season. And Chicago Cubs star Ryne Sandberg has an action poses card that fetches $75-200 due to his immense success primarily in Chicago.
Beyond just rookie cards, there are also several valuable starring/highlight cards of established superstars in the 1987 Fleer Update set as well. Perhaps most prominent is the Nolan Ryan card featuring him just after recording his 5,000th career strikeout. As one of the most accomplished and revered pitchers in history, high grade versions of this milestone Ryan card reach prices up to $400 today. Another Texas Rangers legend, slugger Rafael Palmeiro, has an action image used mainly in Texas that sells for $100-250. And New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, still near the peak of his abilities in 1987, has an iconic card that reaches $150 for pristine copies before injuries derailed his Hall of Fame potential.
Overall condition and grading vastly impacts the potential value of all the key cards from the 1987 Fleer Update set discussed. Near mint to mint copies typically sell in the $50-300 range depending on the particular player depicted. But obtaining a true pristine mint gem grade of BGS/PSA 10 can exponentially increase values up into the thousands of dollars due to strong collector demand, the recognized greatness of many featured players, and scarcity of perfect specimens enduring from the original release over 30 years ago. The 1987 Fleer Update remains both an iconic vintage release chronicling stars of the late 80s baseball era as well as an extremely worthwhile set for serious collectors to pursue high end gem copies from.
The 1987 Fleer Update baseball card set stands out both for its memorable rookie cards like Kirby Puckett and Danny Jackson as well as seminal images of all-time greats like Nolan Ryan and Dwight Gooden. Fueled by the success and notoriety of many featured players over the decades, key cards from this set like Puckett, Jackson, Wade Boggs, and Ryan in particular command prices well into the thousands of dollars today for true perfect mint condition specimens. Both the historical significance and scarcity of pristine examples continue to make the 1987 Fleer Update one of the most valuable and sought after releases from the height of the 1980s sports card boom era. Serious vintage collectors would be hard pressed to find a more rewarding yet challenging set from that decade to pursue in top grades.
