The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most historically significant issues in the entire hobby. Not only did it feature rookies of future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, but the set design and photographic quality was a huge improvement over previous years. The ’87 Fleer cards really captured the imagination of young collectors at the time. Over 30 years later, many of these cards have grown to become incredibly valuable, largely due to the success and fame of the players featured. Here are some of the most valuable and sought after ’87 Fleer baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (#156) – Widely considered the greatest rookie card of all time due to Griffey’s career accomplishments and popularity, mint condition copies of his ’87 Fleer RC routinely sell for well over $10,000. The sharp, vibrant photography of a young Griffey swinging a bat truly stands out compared to other cards of the era. Any copy grading a Gem Mint 10 is worth a minimum of $25,000 but has sold for upwards of $100,000 before. The card captured lightning in a bottle by featuring a future superstar and likely future Hall of Famer right at the start of his career.
Greg Maddux RC (#181) – As one of the greatest pitchers ever and a true student of the game, Maddux’s rookie card from his first major league season with the Cubs is a highly coveted piece. Near Mint-Mint 8 copies can sell for $1,000-2,000 but a True Gem Mint 10 graded card has reached $10,000 at auction. Maddux went on to win 4 Cy Young Awards and dominate for two decades in the big leagues.
Tom Glavine RC (#432) – Like Maddux, Glavine has since been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for an illustrious career primarily with the Atlanta Braves. His ’87 Fleer RC isn’t quite as valuable as Maddux’s since Glavine wasn’t as dominant a pitcher, but pristine Mint 9-10 copies can still command $500-1,000 due to his fame and accomplishment.
Barry Bonds (#391) – Arguably one of the greatest players ever statistically, Bonds’ rookie card from his early Pirates days holds appeal from collectors. But the card is still relatively affordable, with Mint copies selling in the $50-100 range even after Bonds’ entire career. The steroid controversy that has defined his post-playing reputation has limited the card’s value.
Mark McGwire (#593) – As one of the pioneers of the steroid era who hit monumental home run milestones, McGwire’s rookie has found new interest in recent years. Near Mint 8.5 copies can sell for $150-250.
Wally Joyner (#615) – Not a true superstar, but Joyner had several solid MLB seasons and his ’87 Fleer RC has become quite scarce in high grades. A True Gem Mint 10 recently achieved $990 despite Joyner’s fairly average career overall. The rarity factor drove the price for this card.
Roberto Alomar (#705) – A Hall of Fame second baseman most known for his career with the Blue Jays, Alomar’s RC has risen to $50-100 for Near Mint copies thanks to his legendary defense and hitting skills.
Tom Herr (#154) – A true oddball selection, Herr played only 33 games in the majors in 1987 and had an otherwise unremarkable career. His ’87 Fleer RC has become the set’s flagship “short print” due to its extraordinarily low production numbers. Just a handful are known to exist, and one Mint 9 copy achieved a world record price for any ’87 Fleer card at $25,000 in recent years due to its great rarity status.
The 1987 Fleer baseball cards were innovatively designed and featured future stars, Hall of Famers, and short prints that have all led to strong collector demand and escalating values over the decades. For vintage card investors, high grade copies of stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, and Roberto Alomar offer a proven way to hold valuable collectibles in a portfolio. The designs have really stood the test of time in capturing the nostalgia and magic of the players from that era. It’s easy to see why ’87 Fleer remains such a landmark set nearly 35 years later.
