Tag Archives: checklist

1992 LEAF BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1992 Leaf baseball card set was released during the height of the baseball card boom in the early 1990s. Like many other sets from that era, it featured flashy photography and innovative parallel inserts to captivate collectors. The base set checklist consisted of 792 total cards making it one of the largest releases that year.

The standard base cards showcased players photographed from the waist up with their team logo prominently displayed. An interesting fact about the 1992 Leaf design is that some player names were misspelled or omitted entirely on a small number of cards. These errors have made those specific cards quite valuable for collectors today. The photo updates section included 36 rookies and relative newcomers to give a fresher feel compared to their established card designs of previous seasons.

An exciting parallel subset that year was the Fame/Phame parallel which featured one regular base card next to a photo negative image version with a pink border. This was a unique twist on the parallel concept that was quite popular in 1992 sets. The Fame/Phame cards can be identified by their pink borders and are considered by collectors to be the premiere insert parallel from that year’s Leaf release.

Another parallel was the Green Dot parallel featuring green dots on the borders instead of the usual white dot design. These have slightly lower print runs than the base cards but are still readily available for most players in the set. The Purple Dot parallel carried over the green dot concept but used a purple ink which is a tougher parallel to acquire for most players compared to the green version.

One of the special insert sets included with the base checklist was the Leaf Leaders subset. This prestigious 44 card checklist paid tribute to some of the game’s all-time greats and had higher end production values with foil stamped logos compared to the standard base cards. Some of the big names included in the Leaf Leaders checklist were Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron. Obtaining a full set of the Leaders cards in top condition is a real challenge for collectors.

Another insert set included was the 24 card Diamond Anniversary subset commemorating 24 years in the MLB for certain veterans. This insert set highlighted seasoned players still going strong like Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Eddie Murray. Diamond Anniversary paralleled were also available in the Fame/Phame, Green Dot, and Purple Dot parallel designs adding multiple collecting and chase options for these popular veteran cards.

Rookie/prospect cards still held high value in 1992 Leaf releases and the base set included various rookies that went on to have impressive MLB careers like Jeff Bagwell, Frank Thomas, Moises Alou, and John Smoltz. The update photo section provided a second chance to acquire newly arrived players from that season as mentioned earlier. But rookie collectors also had the Popular Prospects insert set with 54 cards focusing on can’t-miss up and coming stars which would prove to be a very prescient checklist.

Perhaps the most storied and valuable parallel insert from 1992 Leaf was the Precious Metal Gems parallel. This prestigious 10 card limited parallel checklist featured superstars shot through intricate metal cutouts in their uniforms and had serial numbering on the back with print runs estimated between 100-500 copies. Names on this coveted checklist included Barry Bonds, Tom Glavine, Cal Ripken Jr., and Greg Maddux. Finding high graded examples of the legendary Precious Metal Gems parallel remains a true holy grail for vintage baseball card collectors.

The 1992 Leaf baseball release was a true product of its time. With its enormous base set checklist, innovative parallel designs, prestigious inserts sets paying homage to legends and prospects, the set had something to excite virtually any collector interested in the vintage baseball card boom era of the early 1990s. While the sheer size of its base checklist makes complete sets still attainable, many of its premium parallels and inserts have become quite difficult to acquire in top condition today among dedicated vintage collectors. The 1992 Leaf set deserves recognition among the most exciting and historic baseball releases from the peak of the modern trading card period.

1993 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1993 Fleer baseball card set was issued during Barry Bonds’ historic season when he hit .336 with 46 home runs and 123 RBIs to claim the National League MVP award. The set contains 384 total cards including base cards, rookie cards, variations, and promotional inserts. Fleer’s 1993 offering marked the company’s 30th year of producing Major League Baseball cards and featured many of the game’s biggest stars from that era on the cardboard.

The base cards in the set run from #1 to #384 and include active players, managers, and coaches from both the American and National Leagues. Some notable rookies that debuted in the 1993 Fleer set included Raul Mondesi, Reggie Sanders, Livan Hernandez, and Robb Nen. Of course, one of the most famous rookies from that year was Ken Griffey Jr. who emerged as one of the premier players of the 1990s. His rookie card continues to be one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever produced.

In addition to the standard base cards, Fleer also included several insert sets within the 1993 offering. The “Fleer Tradition” parallel set highlighted iconic images from past decades of baseball history on cards numbered PT1 through PT50. There were also “Celebrity Favorite” cards that featured 50 popular actors, musicians, and athletes posing with their favorite MLB players on cards numbered CG1 to CG50. Another innovative insert at the time was the “Authentix” subset which contained uncut 3×5 pieces of actual baseball cards autographed by the players themselves on cards numbered AX1 to AX50.

Perhaps the most noteworthy variations in the 1993 Fleer checklist were the incredible serial number parallel sets. There were “Diamond Kings” parallels numbered DK1000-DK5000, “Platinum Preview” parallels numbered PPR1000-PPR3000, and extremely rare “Strike Zone” parallels numbered SZ1-SZ25. The latter featured only the player’s photograph inside the strike zone box and command extremely high prices today among enthusiasts and investors.

Fleer also paid homage to baseball history with throwback highlight cards of legends like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays on cards numbered HB1 through HB25. And they included checklist cards for insert sets like the “Fleer Works” technology-themed cards, “Celebrity Hobbies” cards showcasing players interests, and “Rookie Retros” subsets honoring past rookie seasons.

Beyond the main 384-card base set, Fleer manufactured three factory sets exclusively for retail sale. The “Mega Box” contained a plastic display case holding the entire base set plus 100 additional insert cards for a total of 484 cards. The “Jumbo Pack” box included the full base set and 50 bonus insert cards. And the high-end “Super Jumbo Pack” featured the base cards, 150 inserts, and five serially numbered parallel cards.

When released in 1993, the Fleer baseball cards were branded with the marketing slogan “The Ultimate Card Collection” and were sold in traditional wax packs as well as largerBoxes and factory sets. While not as popular as competitors like Topps and Upper Deck at the time, Fleer cards from that year have gained appreciation among collectors retrospectively. Rarity of serially numbered parallels and the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey and Nomdesirespectively give the 1993 Fleer set enduring collectibility and investment value nearly 30 years later.

For the vintage baseball card hunter, finding a complete base set in excellent centered, near-mint condition could cost over $1,000 today. Key individual rookie cards like Griffey’s #1 card in gem mint 10 grade have sold at auction for well over $10,000. And true one-of-one serial number 1 parallels have realized prices in the five-figure range or higher depending on the player depicted. The 1993 Fleer MLB offering remains an iconic release that solidified the brand’s place alongside the sports card giants of that era and captured the on-field excellence of stars who are now enshrined in Cooperstown.

1972 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1972 Topps baseball card set was the 21st series produced by the Topps Company, Inc. The set consisted of 792 total cards and was issued in wax paper packs as well as cello packs. Some key details about the 1972 Topps set include:

Roster Size: The set featured cards for all 26 Major League Baseball teams that were active in 1972. This included players, managers, coaches, and even team checklists. In total, there were photos of 737 individual baseball players included across the 792 total cards.

Design: Topps went with a classic vertical design format for the 1972 cards. Each card featured the primary photo in the center with the player’s name, team, and position printed across the top. Statistical info was provided on the bottom half of the card along with the Topps logo. The standard photo size of 2.5″ x 3.5″ was maintained.

Rookies of Note: Some top rookie cards found in the 1972 set included George Brett (Card #57), Dave Kingman (Card #119), Dan Quisenberry (Card #247), and Rick Reuschel (Card #372). All of these players went on to have productive MLB careers and their rookie cards remain popular with collectors today.

Short Prints: Topps produced several short printed cards over the years that are considered more scarce than the typical base cards. In 1972 the main short prints included Gaylord Perry (Card #672) and Willie Mays (Card #683). Both are desirable among collectors due to their lower print runs.

Veteran Players: Veterans stars featured prominently as always. Some included Nolan Ryan (Card #89), Hank Aaron (Card #111), Johnny Bench (Card #199), Reggie Jackson (Card #220), and Tom Seaver (Card #273). Stud pitchers Ferguson Jenkins and Steve Carlton also received nice highlighted cards.

Variations: There were a small number of printing variations to watch for in the 1972 set beyond just the short prints. This included errors, variations in the backdrop colors used on certain photos, and slightly different sized cards due to manufacturing issues in the printing process.

Design Changes: Topps shook things up a bit in 1972 compared to previous years. They swapped out the standard decorative border that usually surrounded the photos in favor of a more simple blank backdrop design. No player stats or other captions appeared below the photo for the first time.

Highlights: The 1972 set is especially noteworthy for collectors due to the milestone achievements captured on several of the cards. These included Hank Aaron passing Babe Ruth for the all-time home run record, Nolan Ryan’s MLB record fifth no-hitter, and Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th career hit. Their milestone moments were immortalized in the cards.

Checklists: In addition to the standard player cards, Topps included checklists for all 26 MLB teams as cards #761-786. These provide a useful reference for builders of complete team sets to ensure they have all the cards for a given franchise.

Rarity: The 1972 Topps set in high grade is not especially scarce according to Beckett grading standards. As was typical for 1970s issues, many mid-range examples show wear due to how much they were handled as kids. The short prints and select rookie cards remain the keys to finding true condition rarities today.

The 1972 Topps set holds nostalgia for collectors of a certain era but also historical significance. It serves as a snapshot of the times through the photos and stats featured on the cards. Landmark player accomplishments were chronicled that still resonate today. While affordable in lower grades, finding high quality examples from this 792-card checklist remains a challenge for those curating mint vintage collections. The rookie cards of Brett, Kingman, and others ensure the 1972 Topps baseballs stay a key component of the entire post-war Topps checklist for collectors.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

Topps baseball cards are one of the most iconic American sports collectibles that have been produced since the early 1950s. Each year, Topps produces new sets that feature current major and minor league players. Included in each annual Topps baseball card release is a comprehensive checklist that lists every card in the set by number order. These checklists are an important reference tool for collectors both when the set is first released and years later.

One of the earliest and most coveted Topps baseball card checklists is from the iconic 1952 set. The very first Topps baseball card set featured cards of over 400 active major and minor league players. The set’s checklist is card numbers 1 through 399, with several additional unnumbered short print cards also included in subsets. Some of the legendary ballplayers featured in the ’52 set include Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Whitey Ford. This pioneering Topps set from over 65 years ago still holds incredible value today for collectors seeking to build a complete, mint condition collection.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Topps produced annual baseball card checklists featuring the top talent in both the American and National Leagues. In 1956, Topps broke from the typical numerical checklist style and designed cards with the players’ team logo incorporated into each card number. This creative twist gave each set a visual aesthetic. By the late 1950s, the standard numerical checklist returned and would remain a Topps tradition for decades. Notable expansions of card sets occurred in 1959 when Topps featured over 600 cards and in 1965 when a massive 792 card checklist was produced.

The 1970s saw Topps issues checklists reach new heights in terms of player selection. Sets grew to include minor league prospects in addition to MLB stars. In 1972, a record high 800 card checklist was released, signifying the height of the hobby’s popularity during this era. A landmark moment occurred in 1975 when The Super Veterans subset was introduced. Featuring retired legends, it kicked off Topps’ trend of saluting legendary alumni players in separate inserts. The 1980s saw Topps checklist innovation with subsets like Traded and Update issues added mid-season as trades and call-ups happened.

As we moved into the modern card collecting age of the 1990s and 2000s, checklist styles evolved alongside rising insert parallel trends. In 1993, Topps issued the record-breaking 792 card flagship set and introduced parallel insert such as Diamond Kings. 2001’s Topps checklist featured a then new-high of 798 cards. Innovation really took off in the 2000s as Topps incorporated modern subsets into checklists such as Photo Variations, Fabulous Fabrics, and 1/1 parallel autos. Immaculately preserved wax boxes from the ’90s sets fetch top dollar today.

The last two decades brought new heights in card selection due to dramatic talent pool expansion. In 2008, Topps surpassed 1,000 total cards across all their MLB licensed releases for the first time. Notable milestones included 2011’s flagship set reaching 800 cards and the 2018 checklist hitting 838 total cards reflecting the sheer volume of major and minor leaguers now under Topps contracts. Today’s Toppschecklist innovates with inserts celebrating on-field achievements, specialty parallels, and autograph/relic divisions. Their museum-quality, high-end products satisfy the modern collector craving rarities.

Whether you collect vintage or modern issues, a Topps baseball card checklist acts as a collector’s indispensable guide to fully knowing what’s included across a release. They serve as a catalog for players, a reference for card numbers, and a record of the ever-growing league. Considering Topps has produced MLB licensed cards since 1952, their multi-decade archive of checklists represents an incredible history documenting generations of baseball’s greatest stars. Whether a collector seeks a full ’60s or ’90s collection, finding a preserved checklist is key to guiding them towards completing their long-term collecting goals.

2023 BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 2023 MLB season will see baseball card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, and others release new trading card products featuring the biggest stars and top rookies from this year. As with every season, collectors are eager to get their hands on the newest releases to add to their collections or potentially find valuable rookie cards of future Hall of Famers. While full checklists and release dates have not yet been officially announced, here is a look at some of the key players we can expect to see featured prominently in the upcoming year of baseball cards based on what is known so far:

Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) – There may not be a more sought-after card in 2023 than another Shohei Ohtani rookie card after his historic 2021 AL MVP season. While he no longer qualifies as a true rookie, Ohtani will certainly be one of the faces of many new sets. Look for parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards of the two-way star.

Juan Soto (San Diego Padres) – Traded from the Nationals at the deadline, Soto remains one of the game’s brightest young stars at just 24. His cards jumped in value after the move and collectors will be hunting his Padres rookie cards in ’23 sets.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) – Back from a torn ACL that cost him most of 2022, Acuña is still just 25 and has superstar potential if he can stay healthy. His 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect card remains a Holy Grail for many.

Wander Franco (Tampa Bay Rays) – Franco made a huge splash as a rookie in 2021 and at just 21, has many monster seasons still ahead. His autographed and memorabilia cards will be in high demand.

Julio Rodriguez (Seattle Mariners) – Rodriguez had a phenomenal rookie campaign and seems destined for stardom. Look for his rookie cards, especially autographs, to gain value over the next year.

Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals) – As one of the most hyped prospects of recent years, Witt delivered in his first MLB season. His rookie cards, especially numbered parallels, will be hot commodities.

Riley Greene (Detroit Tigers) – Greene showed flashes as a rookie and will be one of the building blocks for the Tigers going forward. His Bowman Chrome Prospect card looks primed to gain value.

Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles) – After a strong debut late in 2022, Rutschman looks like the franchise catcher the O’s have been waiting for. Watch his Bowman cards and rookie cards gain steam.

Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates) – With his incredible power and speed for a big man, Cruz made a name for himself in a brief stint last season. He’ll be one to watch develop further.

Gavin Lux (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Lux has struggled to stick so far but still has potential as a former top prospect. His cards could rebound with a breakout year.

Nico Hoerner (Chicago Cubs) – Hoerner is one of the few established players on a rebuilding Cubs roster and his star could rise as a result.

In addition to starring rookies and young talent, perennial stars will continue to see their cards in demand as well, including Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr. (when healthy), Bryce Harper and more. Veterans chasing milestones like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera will also get card recognition.

Topps, as the longest-tenured baseball card maker, will almost certainly release flagship products like Series 1, 2, Update and High Tek. They may also bring back retro sets tied to classic designs from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

Panini is sure to build on the success of Donruss and Contenders with more inserts and parallels focusing on hits. And Bowman, their prospect brand, remains the best place to find the next generation of stars.

Leaf and other smaller companies will aim for niche releases with autograph or memorabilia focuses to stand out. Digital platforms like Topps BUNT are also gaining steam for collecting virtually.

While specific release dates and checklist details are still to be finalized, 2023 is primed to be another huge year of baseball card collecting and speculation as the next wave of young stars emerges. With a fresh crop of rookies and continued production from perennial MVP candidates, there will be no shortage of exciting cards to chase.

1955 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1955 Topps baseball card set was issued by Topps during the summer of 1955 and contains a total of 483 trading card images. It is considered a classic and highly collectible set from the ‘Golden Age’ of modern baseball card production in the post-World War 2 era. Some key things to know about the 1955 Topps baseball card checklist include:

This was Topps’ third year producing baseball cards after starting in 1952. The 1954 set was their first true ‘flagship’ major league product. While the photography and design had improved from the previous years, cards were still fairly basic in 1955 with small black-and-white images and simple typography. Each player was shown from head-to-toe wearing their team uniform with their name and team printed at the bottom.

One of the distinctive aspects of the 1955 set was the wide range of posed action shots used for the player images. While modern sets favor more candid photography, Topps in 1955 seemed to ask players to strike poses such as pitching, batting, fielding, and throwing. This added visual interest compared to stiff mug shot portraits. It also led to some odd and unnatural looking poses in some cases.

The 1955 Topps checklist was the first to feature all 16 major league teams from both the American and National Leagues, with 20 cards dedicated to each club. This expanded to a set twice the size of the previous year. Some notable rookies included future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron (Milwaukee Braves), Orlando Cepeda (Boston Braves), and Frank Robinson (Cincinnati Reds).

Some other stars prominently featured included Willie Mays (New York Giants), Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees), Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee Braves), and Warren Spahn (Braves). The 1955 season would see the Brooklyn Dodgers win their only World Series title before moving to Los Angeles after the season. Hall of Famers Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, and Jackie Robinson were included representing that championship Dodgers team.

In addition to the player cards, the 1955 Topps checklist included 12 team cards (two per team) bringing the final tally to 483 total cards. The team cards featured posed action shots of multiple players from that club. Managing to include full rosters for 16 MLB teams and have space for team cards made the 1955 Topps set quite comprehensive for its era.

Unlike modern issues which use parallel short prints, autographs, and memorabilia cards to entice collectors to buy multiple packs, the 1955 Topps base set was the sole product. Finding complete runs in pristine condition is the biggest attraction. The card stock was thinner than later Topps issues, making high grade specimens that much tougher to come by. PSA/BGS population reports showunder 300 grade 9 examples known among the entire 483 card checklist.

While production techniques were still developing, Topps took a big step forward with the full inclusion of both major leagues that helped cement baseball cards as an essential part of the culture and fandom of American professional baseball. Sets from the mid-1950s like 1955 Topps are very memorable issues that helped develop the Golden Age appearance and collecting culture we still know and appreciate today. With its who’s who of legendary players and teams, the 1955 Topps checklist remains one of the most iconic in the hobby.

In the decades since its original release, the 1955 Topps set has become highly valued among vintage collectors. Raw cards in average circulated condition still trade hands for $10-20 each online. Elite examples can sell for thousands. In 2016, a gem mint PSA 10 Mickey Mantle from the ’55 Topps issue sold at auction for over $100,000. Even common players can reach $500+ in top grades. The 1955 Topps checklist started the modern baseball card era and its historic rosters ensure it stays a cornerstone of the hobby.

1985 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1985 Fleer baseball card set was the 18th edition of Fleer’s annual baseball card release. The design featured one of their more generic designs compared to some of their more creative ones from the previous decade. The borderless format featured a simple white background with team logos at the top and black text underneath. Fleer would continue with borderless designs throughout much of the 1980s. The 1985 set included 330 cards and showed the rising stars of the 1980s alongside established veterans of the 1970s. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key aspects and highlights from the 1985 Fleer baseball card checklist.

The rookie class of 1985 featured some future Hall of Famers and all-time greats. Perhaps the most notable rookie was Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets. Known as “Doc”, Gooden would go on to win the 1984 Rookie of the Year award and the 1985 Cy Young award. His rookie card showed him pitching for the Mets and captured the hype around one of the best young pitchers in baseball at the time. Another top rookie was Bret Saberhagen of the Kansas City Royals. Saberhagen would also win the Cy Young award just a few years later in 1985. His smooth delivery and dominance as a starter made him one of the game’s best pitchers in the late 80s. Skater Ken Griffey Jr. also had his rookie card in the 1985 Fleer set. Griffey Jr. was just getting started in his stellar career that would see him eclipse 600 home runs and make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The 1985 Fleer checklist also highlighted superstars entering their prime. Don Mattingly’s slick swing made him a fan favorite on the New York Yankees. His card in the ’85 set showed his smooth lefty stroke. Another Yankee, Dave Winfield, was in the midst of his power/average combination that made him a perennial All-Star. Mike Schmidt remained the top third baseman in baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, coming off another 40 home run season. Nolan Ryan continued to mystify hitters with his blazing fastball for the Houston Astros well into his late 30s. Ryan Seaver of the Chicago White Sox and Fernando Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers were also among the game’s most prominent hurlers at the time.

The Fleer designers also included fun Easter eggs and details on many of the cards. For example, Ozzie Smith’s card from 1985 highlighted his otherworldly defense at shortstop by showing a spider web graphic behind him, a nod to his “Wizard of Oz” nickname. Don Baylor’s card for the Angels called out his prodigious strength by featuring an illustration of him holding two baseball bats. Other creative touches included a pitch trajectory graphic on Dwight Gooden’s card to depict his blazing fastball. These small graphics helped bring more visual interest compared to many drab 1980s card designs.

In terms of rarer cards and chase cards for the 1985 Fleer set, one stands above the rest – the Willie Mays tribute card. Numbered to a tiny print run of only 100 copies, the gold-embossed Mays card showed him congratulating a rookie. It paid homage to Mays’ enormous impact and stature as a player and it’s one of the true keys to any complete ’85 Fleer set today. Other short-printed chase cards include Cliff Johnson (Card #244) and Dave Parker (Card #273), both limited to approx. 1000 copies each. For collectors looking to assemble a true master set, tracking down the ultra-rare Mays card is the holy grail piece.

While not quite as iconic or creative as some previous Fleer designs, the 1985 checklist still provided a who’s who of the MLB landscape at the time. Featuring rookie gems of Hall of Famers like Griffey Jr. and Saberhagen alongside mature superstars like Ryan, Schmidt, and Mattingly, it captured a special transition year in the game. Between the fun additive graphics, rare variants like the Mays card, and showcase of all 30 MLB teams, the ’85 Fleer set endures as an important snapshot from the decade. It remains a popular and affordable set for collectors today seeking a full roster from a pivotal year in baseball history.

1991 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 1991 Fleer baseball card set was released at the start of the 1991 Major League Baseball season. It marked Fleer’s 10th year producing baseball cards after acquiring the license from Topps in 1982. The set contained 334 total cards and featured many of the game’s top players from the 1990 season.

A few notable rookies made their card debuts in the 1991 Fleer set. Future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine’s rookie card was included after he won National League Rookie of the Year honors with the Atlanta Braves in 1988. Toronto Blue Jays slugger John Olerud also had his rookie card, coming off a season where he finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Other rookie cards included future All-Stars Chuck Knoblauch, Todd Hundley, and Derek Lowe.

Veteran stars who graced the 1991 Fleer set included Nolan Ryan, who was still dominating hitters at age 44 with the Texas Rangers. Ryan Card #89 spotlighted his record-setting 7th career no-hitter thrown on May 1, 1991 against the Minnesota Twins. Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds were each one season away from breaking out as two of the game’s most exciting young talents. The checklist also contained the last Fleer cards for aging veterans like Steve Carlton, Jim Rice, and Mike Schmidt before they retired.

The design theme for the 1991 Fleer set paid tribute to baseball history with many cards showcasing classic stadiums and moments from the early days of the sport. The border on each card contained vintage-style baseball illustrations. Several inserts were included that highlighted the origins of baseball’s earliest teams, ballparks, and Negro League stars who helped integrate the sport.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1991 Fleer checklist was the inclusion of Deckle Edge parallel cards for the first time. Numbered to 350 copies, these rare parallel versions featured an authentic rag-lined border to resemble a deckle-edged book and added valuable chase cards for collectors. Other insert sets within the base checklist included Franchise Fabrics jersey parallel cards and Franchise Greats retired star tribute inserts.

In terms of popular team sets, the 1991 Fleer checklist had several star-studded lineups to chase. The New York Yankees led by Don Mattingly, Roberto Kelly, and Willie Randolph. The Cincinnati Reds featured Barry Larkin, Billy Hatcher, and Chris Sabo from their 1990 World Series championship team. And the Oakland A’s flaunted Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, and Dennis Eckersley from their perennial contender squad.

The most coveted cards in the entire 1991 Fleer set revolved around the Toronto Blue Jays and their “Joshvision” parallel photo variation inserts. Numbered to only 50 copies, these super-short prints captured All-Star Devon White and league MVP Joe Carter from a unique extreme close-up “Joshvision” style. The Joshvision cards immediately became some of the priciest and most iconic in the entire modern era of baseball cards due to their extreme rarity and unique concept.

When it came to grading and preservation, the 1991 Fleer checklist included many durable and well-centered cards that have held up extremely well to this day. Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan, Tom Glavine, and Barry Larkin can frequently be found in high grades of Mint or Near Mint. Of course, the true gems remain the uber-rare Deckle Edge and Joshvision parallels, which have realized auction prices upwards of $10,000 USD for pristine specimens.

In the end, the 1991 Fleer baseball card set proved to have amazing longevity and widespread appeal among collectors old and new. Its historical designs, impressive rookie class, and super-short print parallels have ensured this checklist remains a flagship set of the early 1990s era. Over 30 years later, 1991 Fleer cards remain a staple in the collections of hobbyists worldwide and an important part of the rich history of the modern baseball card industry.

2023 STARS AND STRIPES BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The 2023 Stars and Stripes baseball card checklist promises to be another exciting release from Topps. As the official MLB license holder, Topps is able to include all current major and minor league players in their base sets each year. Here is an in-depth look at what collectors can expect to find in the upcoming 2023 Stars and Stripes release.

The base set will again feature the standard 260 cards as in recent years. Rosters will be up-to-date as of Opening Day 2023, so any players that have moved teams via free agency or trade over the offseason will be pictured in their new uniforms. Top prospects that made their MLB debuts in 2022 like Bobby Witt Jr. and Spencer Torkelson will graduate from rookie cards to their main set cards. Veterans like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera chasing career milestones will also be highlights.

Parallels have become a huge part of modern baseball card sets and 2023 Stars and Stripes will continue that trend. Expect several different parallel variations of the base cards that will include variations for photo negative, sepia tone, camo, and more. Numbered parallels like gold (/50) and silver (/75) will provide the chase for collectors. Autograph and memorabilia cards will be inserted at approximate odds of 1:12 packs.

Topps Update Series has become one of the most anticipated expansions each year to keep rosters current. Look for the 2023 Update Series cards to hit shelves in late summer/early fall to account for any additional trades or call-ups. Top prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Emerson Hancock should receive their first MLB cards in the Update if they make their debuts during the season.

The rookie card class of 2023 is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory headlined by high school phenom Druw Jones. As the #2 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Jones will have one of the most sought-after rookie cards. Other top prospects like Elijah Green, Jackson Holliday, and Termarr Johnson will also receive their first Topps cards after being selected in the 1st round of the 2022 draft. International signings like Oswald Pereira and Lazaro Montes will round out one of the deepest rookie classes in years.

Retired players that hung up their cleats after the 2022 season like Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Yadier Molina will receive “Final Season” variations of their cards. These special final cards have become highly collectible in recent years as fans look to commemorate the careers of all-time great players. Topps has also started issuing “Tribute” cards for recently retired players or those that have passed away. Expect cards honoring legends like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Don Sutton in the 2023 set.

Veteran stars in the prime of their careers like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto will remain some of the most sought-after base rookies in the set. Parallels and autographs of these young superstars can fetch a premium on the secondary market. Sleeper rookie cards to watch include catcher Gabriel Moreno who had a breakout season for the Blue Jays and outfielder Esteury Ruiz who made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2022.

Topps usually includes several special “hits” inserted at low odds throughout the base set as chase cards. Possibilities for 2023 could include 1/1 printing plates, game-used memorabilia cards featuring pieces of a specific player’s jersey or bat, and autographs from veteran stars and top rookies. High-end parallels like gold foil (/50) and red foil (/25) can also provide excitement on the hunt for the big “hit” in a pack or box.

With a strong crop of rookies headlined by Druw Jones and a full complement of current MLB stars, the 2023 Stars and Stripes baseball card set promises to be another highly anticipated release. Factor in all the parallels, variations, inserts, and low-numbered cards that Topps packs into their flagship product each year and it’s easy to see why Stars and Stripes remains one of the most popular modern issues. Whether chasing base cards, rookie phenoms, or big autograph “hits”, 2023 looks to have something for collectors at every level.

1947 1966 EXHIBIT BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

Leave a reply

The post-World War II era saw tremendous growth in the baseball card industry as the hobby boomed in popularity across the United States. From 1947 through 1966, hundreds of players had their careers immortalized on cardboard through color photos, woodcuts, and striking illustrated designs. This golden age of baseball cards saw revolutionary changes in production techniques as well as the widespread introduction of gum and candy packaged with the cards.

Perhaps the most iconic baseball card set from this time period is the iconic 1952 Topps set. Featuring vivid color photographs of the players against solid colored backgrounds, the ’52 Topps introduced the modern baseball card format that is still widely used today. Cards featured basic front stats and a paragraph of biographical information on the back. Notable ’52 Topps rookie cards included Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Mickey Mantle. The set is considered one of the most visually appealing and important in the history of the hobby.

In the late 1940s, Bowman and Topps battled for card dominance leading to some creative designs. 1948 Bowman featured hand-painted portrait cards while 1949 Topps countered with attention-grabbing action shots. 1950 Bowman introduced the first post-war gum-backed baseball card design. Bowman would cease production after 1955, leaving Topps as the king of baseball cards going forward.

Hall of Famers like Stan Musial, Warren Spahn, and Hoyt Wilhelm received early cardboard tributes in the 1954 and 1955 Topps sets. Topps also rolled out variations like the 1961 “Stripped” card backs without borders and the 1962 “red number” parallels. The 1960 Topps design depicting players on colorful team-specific backgrounds is also highly celebrated among collectors today.

Other notable producers during this period included Red Man tobacco (1949-52), Leaf (1948-49), and Bazooka bubble gum. Leaf’s 1948 cards had impressive multi-pose “action photos” while the 1949 Bazooka featured the first full color baseball cards with team emblems/logos. Candy manufacturer Play Ball also issued two short run, well-designed sets in 1952 and 1953 respectively.

As future legends established themselves in their early major league years, their RC’s from these vintage sets draw widespread collector attention today. 1966 Topps RC’s like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Johnny Bench rank among the most coveted rookie cards in the hobby. The ‘66 design with cartoon-style players and fun facts on the back is a personal favorite of many longtime collectors as well.

Outside of the flagship brands, regional oddities also popped up across the country. Kansas City-based Moman’s Premium Candy issued tidy short prints of Missouri and Kansas based players from 1951-1955. Ohio-based Adams produced very scarce post-war cards between 1949-1951 highlighting stars from the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians.

Collecting baseball cards really took off as a national pastime in America in the post-WWII boom years. Driven by the affordability of gum-backed cards, the photorealism of color photos, and the rise of childhood sports obsessions – kids and adults alike thrived on accumulating and trading these baseball memorabilia pieces. The 1947-1966 era laid the groundwork for the explosive growth that transformed baseball cards into a multibillion-dollar pop culture phenomenon. Today, in pristine graded gem mint condition, key vintage cards from this golden age routinely sell for thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars. While the players and designs may have aged, the nostalgia and collectibility of these true “cardboard classics” remains as strong as ever seven decades later.

The post-war 1947-1966 period was truly the Golden Age of baseball cards when iconic designs and rookie stars shaped the early years of the booming hobby. From action shots to illustrative woodcuts to groundbreaking color photography, Topps, Bowman, and other brands defined the basics that are still widely used in card design today. Collectors both young and old can still find thrill and history in unearthing gems from these truly foundational sets that immortalized baseball’s greatest legends in their early playing days.