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87 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the modern era of the hobby. Produced during baseball’s golden age of the late 1980s, the ’87 Fleer set showcased some of the game’s biggest stars and rising young talents at the peak of their careers. While not the most widely produced set of its time, ’87 Fleer cards still hold significant nostalgia and collecting value decades later.

The 1987 Fleer set contains 524 total cards issued in wax packs. Some of the biggest stars featured include Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Andre Dawson, and Rickey Henderson. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine are also included. Beyond star power, the ’87 Fleer design itself has become iconic. Featuring bold colors and player photography against a white backdrop, the simple yet stylish design has stood the test of time.

When it comes to valuation, the most valuable 1987 Fleer cards unsurprisingly feature the game’s all-time greats in mint condition. An PSA 10-graded rookie card of Barry Larkin can fetch over $10,000. His regular base card in the same grade exceeds $1,000 as well. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux’s rookie in a PSA 10 recently sold for just under $9,000 as well. Tom Glavine’s rookie in a PSA 10 grade has also topped $5,000.

Other star cards that command four-figure prices in mint condition include Roger Clemens ($2,500 PSA 10), Wade Boggs ($2,000 PSA 10), Ozzie Smith ($1,500 PSA 10) and Rickey Henderson ($1,200 PSA 10). Even veteran stars like Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett can reach $500-800 in top grades. While the true gems are the rookies and stars, there is value throughout the entire ’87 Fleer set if cards are well-preserved.

Beyond individual star cards, there are also complete ’87 Fleer sets that maintain strong collector demand. A full PSA-graded set in Gem Mint 10 condition recently sold at auction for over $37,000. Even common incomplete sets in lower grades still sell in the $1,000-3,000 range depending on condition. The set’s iconic design and star power from the late 1980s ensures it remains a sought-after vintage issue.

When considering value, grade is absolutely crucial for 1987 Fleer cards. Even a point lower in condition can drastically cut a card’s worth. For example, a Barry Larkin rookie PSA 9 may only reach $2,000-3,000 compared to $10,000+ for the elusive PSA 10. Similarly, a Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine rookie in PSA 9 is worth $1,000-2,000 less than the coveted mint PSA 10. This emphasizes the demand for pristine, flawless copies to achieve top dollar prices.

Beyond the true star rookie cards, there are also some key short prints and errors that can significantly boost the value of certain 1987 Fleer cards. One of the most notable is the Wade Boggs “AD” error card, where his last name is mistakenly printed as “Boggs AD” on the front. High-grade examples of this error have sold for over $3,000. Other short prints like the Ozzie Smith card #404 are also very valuable in top condition, reaching over $500 in PSA 10.

The 1987 Fleer baseball card set remains one of the most iconic issues of the modern era over 30 years later. Featuring legendary stars of the 1980s at the height of their careers, the simple yet stylish design continues to attract collectors. While the true star rookie cards like Barry Larkin and Greg Maddux in pristine PSA 10 condition command the biggest prices upwards of $10,000, there is value found throughout the set depending on condition. Factors like star power, rarity, and especially grade are crucial to determining the worth of individual 1987 Fleer cards in today’s vibrant vintage baseball card market.

1990 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS VALUES

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The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is memorable for many collectors and fans of the game as it marked the year two of the greatest players of all time reached major career milestones. That year, Nolan Ryan threw his record 6th career no-hitter at age 43 and George Brett got his 3,000th career hit. The set itself contains 404 total cards including 384 base cards and 20 special insert cards marking those achievements. While not the most valuable release historically, there are still several valuable and desirable cards that can be found in the 1990 Fleer set.

One of the real gems of the set is card #330 which depicts Nolan Ryan’s record-setting 6th no-hitter for the Texas Rangers. This iconic moment caught on card is one of just a handful in the entire set to feature action shots instead of posed portraits. In high grade it can fetch upwards of $100 raw but in a PSA 10 gem mint condition it has sold for over $1,000. Another noteworthy achievement card is #363 showing George Brett’s 3000th hit. Graded versions in the 8-10 range bring $50-150.

Among the regular base cards, some of the most valuable revolve around the game’s biggest stars at the time who were entering or in the prime of Hall of Fame careers. Not surprisingly, Ken Griffey Jr’s impressive rookie card from this set in a PSA 10 is one of the most expensive at $2,000-3,000. His father Ken Griffey Sr’s card can also fetch over $100 in top grades as a notable tandem. Another star on the rise was Toronto’s Roberto Alomar. High graded versions of his 1990 Fleer card have sold for $400-600 in recent years.

Other top performers with cards that maintain strong values include Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. PSA 10 copies of Henderson’s card have exceeded $600. Boggs and Smith have reached $300-400 in best condition as well. Frank Thomas’ rookie is also one of the key rookie cards from the set, garnering $150-250 in pristine shape. Cleveland’s Joe Carter holds value at $80-150 graded and Mark McGwire at $100-250 before the steroids era.

Amongpitchers, Nolan Ryan’s card remains the most popular. PSA 10’s sell in the highly desirable $400-600 range. Atlanta’s Tom Glavine also has found support attaining $150-300 in top grades. Meanwhile, San Diego closer Mark Davis has gained cult status and his card sells for $150-250 in high ends. Toronto’s highly talented but controversial Dave Stieb has also seen gains in recent years reaching $80-150 graded.

For team and player collectors, there are also several stars whose cards maintain significance and value relative to performance and fan popularity. Oakland’s Jose Canseco delivers $50-100 in top condition. Cleveland workhorse Steve Ontiveros has sold for $60-120 graded. St. Louis fan favorite Ozzie Smith is always in demand reaching $75-150. Atlanta perennial all-star Terry Pendleton can be found for $60-120 in pristine shape.

While not the most expensive vintage set, the 1990 Fleer baseball release remains an affordable way for collectors to obtain rookie and star cards from the late 1980s/early 1990s period. For being over 25 years old at this point, the condition sensitive nature and star power of the included players makes finding high quality valued copies of Hall of Famers, accomplishments, and rookies still an exciting endeavor at the typical weekly card show or online marketplace. With the nostalgia factor only growing stronger over time, desirability and prices for vital entries in the 1990 Fleer set should remain steady.

RARE 1991 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1991 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and sought after issues in the modern era of collecting. With several extremely rare and valuable short prints included, 1991 Fleer introduced many collectors to the hunt for elusive variations that became a staple of the hobby.

Released at the start of the 1991 season to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Fleer, the set totaled 792 cards featuring current Major Leaguers as well as top prospects. The design featured a simple team logo in the foreground with the player positioned behind. Statistics and career highlights were included on the reverse. Though not the most creative design, it proved clean and allowed the photography to take center stage.

What made the 1991 Fleer issue truly stand out were the unannounced short prints that were discovered to be significantly harder to obtain than standard cards. Fleer altered the printing process halfway through and decreased the print run on select players without informing the public. This ignited a frenzy among collectors to seek out the elusive variations, not knowing exactly which players were involved or the precise quantities that existed.

Some of the most notable and valuable 1991 Fleer short prints include:

Ken Griffey Jr. (#356) – Considered the holy grail of the set, estimates put the Griffey short print print run at around 1 per case of wax packs. Over time it has become one of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold in mint condition, regularly fetching tens of thousands of dollars and once selling for over $100k.

Alex Rodriguez (#383) – As a highly touted rookie, the scarce A-Rod short print created immense buzz. Still one of the pricier 1991 Fleer cards to acquire in high grade at $3-5k in PSA 10.

Cal Ripken Jr. (#377) – Another extremely rare pull, often attracting bids over $10,000 for a PSA 10 example of the Ripken short print.

Will Clark (#122) – One of the more obtainable short prints but still an expensive card in top condition at $1,500-$2,000 range.

Gregg Jefferies (#422) – A mid-run Mets prospect at the time, even his short print remains under $500 for a PSA 10.

Nelson Liriano (#651) – One of the true “oddball” short prints that could be found in packs long after Griffey & Rodriguez were pulled off shelves, still over $1,000 PSA 10.

It was later discovered that five base cards did not have short prints produced at all – making naturally scarce cards even harder to find. This “holy grail” group within the 1991 Fleer short prints consists of:

Danny Tartabull (#230)
Milt Thompson (#345)
Gary Redus (#521)
Steve Frey (#619)
Jerry Browne (#734)

Obtaining any of these five true “1 of 1” cards in pristine mint condition would be nearly impossible and verify their rarity status as some of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards in existence. Even well-centered, graded examples could bring six-figure sums.

The mystery and scarcity behind the 1991 Fleer short prints created a frenzy that started many young collectors down the path of card hunting. While sets produced since have emulated short prints to varying results, 1991 Fleer was truly groundbreaking in popularizing the sub-hobby of variations within a set. Even after 30 years, highly conditioned examples of the biggest names still excite collectors and command top dollar. For those who grew up with 1991 Fleer as their introduction to the cardboard collectibles, it holds a special nostalgia that keeps demand and prices elevated among vintage enthusiasts. The legend of cards like the Griffey and A-Rod short prints will ensure 1991 Fleer always has a place among the most important baseball card sets in the modern era.

FLEER BASEBALL CARDS WIKI

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Fleer was a popular American manufacturer of bubble gum and collectible trading cards that was known for its baseball cards from the mid-1950s through the 1980s. The company produced several iconic baseball card sets during the golden age of the hobby that featured many of the game’s biggest stars and are still prized by collectors today.

Fleer got its start in the trading card business in 1956 when it acquired the rights to produce baseball cards from the Bowman Gum Company. Bowman had been a leader in the baseball card market for decades but was looking to exit the business. This allowed Fleer to launch its first baseball card series just as the modern baseball card collecting craze was taking off.

The 1956 Fleer baseball card set featured over 400 players and was the first to include rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente. The set ruffled feathers in the established baseball card industry as it directly competed with Topps, which had been the sole producer of modern cards since 1951. This kicked off a bitter rivalry between Fleer and Topps that would last for decades.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Fleer issued a number of innovative baseball card sets that helped drive interest in the hobby. The 1958 set introduced the concept of featuring a specific team on the front of each card. The 1960 and 1961 sets were the first to include player statistics on the back of the cards. Fleer also experimented with new sizes and shapes for its cards that were different than the standard Topps issues.

However, Fleer was dealt a major blow in 1964 when Topps was able to secure an exclusive license with Major League Baseball, preventing Fleer or any other company from using images of current MLB players. In response, Fleer issued a number of “non-sport” sets in the mid-1960s that featured celebrities and other subjects instead of baseball players.

In 1971, Fleer was finally able to break back into the baseball card market when its exclusive agreement with the MLB Players Association allowed the use of player names and stats. This led to the popular Fleer baseball card sets of the 1970s that featured the likes of Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Nolan Ryan during the final years of their careers. Fleer also produced the first Traded set in 1971, highlighting players who had been dealt to new teams.

Throughout the 1970s, Fleer issued a variety of innovative baseball card designs and sets that competed fiercely with Topps for collectors. Notable 1970s Fleer issues included the color photo fronts of the 1972 and 1973 sets, the first Glossy All-Stars subsets in 1975, and the large format and oddball shaped cards of 1978 and 1979. Fleer also introduced the first annual Traded and Update sets in the late 1970s.

Fleer’s licensing agreement with the MLBPA expired after the 1981 season. In 1982, the company produced its last traditional baseball card set featuring images from the previous season. Fleer attempted to stay in the baseball card market after this by issuing sets with team logos and generic player photos into the mid-1980s. It was no longer able to directly compete with Topps and Bowman for licensed MLB products.

While Fleer ultimately lost its battle for baseball card supremacy against Topps, the company left an indelible mark on the hobby during its peak years in the 1950s-1970s. Fleer introduced many innovations, produced iconic designs, and captured the biggest stars of the era that are still popular with collectors today. Cards from classic Fleer sets regularly sell for premium prices at auction. The company helped drive interest in baseball cards to new heights during the golden age of the hobby.

MOST EXPENSIVE FLEER 91 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1991 Fleer baseball card set showcased the careers of baseball’s biggest stars at the beginning of the 1990s. For collectors and investors, some of the cards from this set have increased tremendously in value and recognition over the past 30 years. Several high-profile rookies and hall of famers introduced themselves to the hobby through the ’91 Fleer set. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most prized and valuable cards from this popular release.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the 1991 Fleer set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of, if not the single most iconic rookie card in the modern era, Griffey’s Fleer debut carried an enormous buzz upon its release and has only grown in prestige since. Often compared to the likes of the famous Honus Wagner T206 card in terms of rarity and collectability, PSA Gem Mint 10 examples of Griffey’s rookie now command astronomical prices upwards of $400,000. Even well-centered Near Mint to Mint copies still trade hands for five figures regularly.

The magical success of Griffey’s career, capturing imaginations with jaw-dropping catches and prodigious home run blasts, coupled with the relatively low print run of the ’91 Fleer set contributed to the card’s legend. Few knew just how great a player Griffey would become, but the raw tools and athletic gifts were evident from the first glimpse on his card. Today, it’s hailed as one of the best baseball cards ever made and remains the crown jewel for 1991 Fleer collectors and investors.

Another tremendously valuable 1991 Fleer card is the Alex Rodriguez rookie. Like Griffey, A-Rod was one of the most hyped prospects in baseball coming into the 1991 season with the Seattle Mariners. His promising debut is immortalized on his Fleer rookie card, which has followed a similar upward trajectory in price to Griffey over the decades. PSA 10 Rodriguez rookies now sell for six figures, with one copy breaking an auction record at over $350,000 in recent years. Near Mint to Mint copies still trade in the $15,000 to $30,000 range.

Rodriguez went on to have a Hall of Fame career and eventually broke records as arguably the greatest shortstop in baseball history. He also captured three MVP awards and boosted popularity for in the sport in New York with the Yankees. All of this success and fame has transferred directly to increased demand and price appreciation for his rookie card over the long term. It remains the second most valuable card in the 1991 Fleer set behind only Ken Griffey Jr.

Another exceptionally rare and pricey card from 1991 Fleer is the Frank Thomas rookie. “The Big Hurt” got his start with the Chicago White Sox in 1991 and went on to have a tremendous career that landed him in Cooperstown. PSA 10 examples of his rookie have cracked six-figures in recent auction results as well. Even well-centered Near Mint copies still trade for $5,000+ given Thomas’ success and the difficulty in finding high-grade versions of his debut issue.

Collector and investment demand has been strong for Thomas rookies as fewer were printed compared to Griffey and Rodriguez. Along with stellar on-field performances which led to two MVP awards, these supply constraints have pushed Thomas’ 1991 Fleer rookie to elite status. It remains one of the most coveted and valuable rookies from the entire set.

On a similar note, the Chad Curtis rookie card from 1991 Fleer also gained recognition as a rare and pricey subset over the years. As an overlooked prospect at the time with limited playing time in ’91, fewer of his rookie card made their way into collectors’ hands initially compared to the stars. Years later, as the printing numbers became public knowledge, the Curtis rookie gained legendary status as one of the hardest Fleer cards from that year to find, especially in top condition.

While far from a household name in the game, Chad Curtis’ obscurity at the time of release ultimately added to the mystique surrounding his card decades later. The 1991 Fleer Chad Curtis RC has since become the undisputed rarest and one of the most expensive cards from the entire set, with PSA 10’s recently trading for sums upwards of $60,000 given their finite supply. Even lower graded examples still command four-figure prices due to the recognition of the Curtis card as a true needle-in-the-haystack find from 1991 Fleer.

Aside from rookie sensations, hall of famers like Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan also had highly valuable cards in the 1991 Fleer set reflecting their superstar statuses at the time. The Ripken and Boggs are routinely two of the most widely collected cards outside of the rookie sensations. A PSA 10 Cal Ripken Jr. would sell for $3,000+ given his iconic career and middle-of-the-lineup placement in the base set. Near Mint Ripkens also crack four-figures.

The 1991 design also gave collectors their first look at baseball’s all-time strikeout king, Nolan Ryan, pitching for the Texas Rangers. High-grade examples of Ryan’s action shot card have gained considerable popularity and appreciation over the decades. PSA 10’s trade in the $2,000 range, with NM/MT copies still reaching $500-1000 depending on year. These prices are a testament to Ryan’s leading status as one of the games’ most legendary and respected players immortalized through 1991 Fleer.

While not the largest produced set of the early 1990s, 1991 Fleer holds a hallowed place in the hobby for introducing so many future hall of famers and superstars through iconic rookie cards like Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Frank Thomas. Secondary standouts like Chad Curtis have also emerged as true rarities commanding top dollar. Add in legendary veterans like Ripken, Boggs and Ryan and it’s clear why 1991 Fleer remains both a vital release historically and prized collection for investors even thirty years later. With the enduring legacies of so many all-time talents captured within, 1991 Fleer assured its place as one of baseball card history’s greatest and most valuable sets.

87 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS TIN

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The 1987 Fleer baseball card tin is one of the most iconic collectibles from the 1980s. Inside each tin collectors could find 100 brand new 1987 Fleer baseball cards ready to add to any growing collection. For baseball card fans of the era, finding this tin under the Christmas tree was surely one of the best gifts they could ask for.

Fleer was one of the major baseball card manufacturers of the time, along with Topps and Donruss. In 1987, Fleer produced their set with 400 total cards to collect. Ranging from superstars to minor leaguers, the 1987 Fleer set featured cards of everyone in the majors at the time. Some of the biggest names included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, and Don Mattingly. Each card had a photo of the player on the front along with their stats and information on the back.

What made the 1987 Fleer tin so special was the packaging and experience of opening it. The tin itself measured about 6 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall. It had a colorful design on the outside with baseball imagery and the Fleer logo prominently displayed. When you opened the lid, inside were 100 plastic sleeves each containing a 1987 Fleer baseball card. The cards were arranged neatly in 10 rows of 10 cards each.

Opening this tin on Christmas morning was a nostalgic experience for many. Kids would carefully remove each row of cards, taking their time to look at each player before moving on to the next. It allowed for a slow opening experience compared to just ripping open a pack of cards. The plastic sleeves also helped protect the cards as you handled and looked through them. Many report fond memories of trading and sorting through the 100 cards with family and friends after opening their Fleer tin.

While retail price points for trading cards and memorabilia have risen significantly in recent decades, in 1987 the suggested price of the Fleer baseball card tin was only $9.99. For under $10, you got a colorful collector’s item to store your cards in plus a complete start to an entire baseball card collection. The tin packaging and 100 card windfall made it perfect for the holiday season. It’s estimated Fleer produced hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these tins that holiday season.

Even though over 30 years have passed, 1987 Fleer baseball card tins remain very collectible and desirable items today. On the secondary market, unopened tins in mint condition can sell for hundreds of dollars. Part of the appeal is the nostalgia they evoke for baseball card collectors and fans of the 1980s. Finding one of these tins in attics or at garage sales is like discovering a time capsule. They also make for great display pieces to show off a vintage baseball card collection.

For dedicated collectors, the hunt continues to find one of these tins still factory sealed. As with many collectibles, the packaging and condition are everything. Even partially opened or well-worn tins that just contain the cardboard insert and plastic sleeves still hold value. And of course, the 100 cards inside can include valuable rookie cards or stars of the era that have appreciated greatly over the decades. A pristine tin full of near mint vintage 1987 Fleer baseball cards would be the ultimate find for collectors today.

The 1987 Fleer baseball card tin was simply a fun and affordable way for kids to start or add to their baseball card collections in the 1980s. But thanks to the nostalgia and collecting community, these tins have taken on a whole new level of popularity and value today. Their colorful design and the experience of opening them to find 100 fresh cards makes the 1987 Fleer tin a truly iconic collectible from the golden era of baseball cards.

FLEER 1989 BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1989 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. With 792 total cards issued, the 1989 Fleer set featured many future Hall of Famers and stars from that era in colorful and creative designs. While the set may not contain any true gem mint condition cards worth hundreds of thousands, there are still plenty of valuable cards that can fetch respectable prices depending on the player and grade. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the 1989 Fleer set and what they have sold for in various conditions.

Ken Griffey Jr. was already establishing himself as a superstar by 1989 and his rookie card from this set is one of the most sought after from the entire junk wax era. In pristine gem mint 10 condition, Griffey Jr.’s rookie has sold for over $10,000. More common mint 9 copies can still pull in $1,000-2,000. Even well-worn played copies in poor condition have sold for $100 still due to Griffey’s popularity and status as one of the greats. The condition of the card is extremely important to its value.

Another rookie card standout is the 1989 Fleer Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, “The Big Hurt” went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is a key card for any collector. Mint condition PSA 10 Thomas rookies have topped $4,000 at auction. Most raw or graded mint 9’s will sell between $500-1,000. Again, played copies are still in demand and can sell for $50-100 based on the condition. Both Griffey and Thomas rookies hold up very well value-wise compared to other junk wax era cards.

Star pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens also have valuable cards in the 1989 Fleer set. A PSA 10 of Ryan’s card has brought over $1,000 before. Clemens cards in top gem mint grade have sold for $500-700 range. Both of these hurlers have iconic images that resonate with collectors to this day. Other star pitchers like Orel Hershiser, Dwight Gooden, and Dave Stewart all have cards worth $50-150 in high grades as well from this set due to their success and fame at the time.

Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz are often overlooked but can be quite valuable depending on grade. A PSA 10 of any of these Atlanta Braves aces could sell for $300-500. Even well-centered mint 9’s hold value at $100-200 each. Their success in the 1990s has kept collector interest in their rookie cards strong decades later. Other notable rookies like Gary Sheffield, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Jay Bell have mint 9 copies selling in the $50-100 range too.

Beyond the star players, there are also several scarce and error cards that command premiums. The Ken Griffey Jr. and Donruss Griffey rookie card “combo” error, which features both logos on one card, has sold for over $3,000 in high grade. The Cal Ripken Jr. “upside-down” printing error brings $500-1000 for mint copies. Short prints like the Mark McGwire or Ozzie Smith cards are valued more so than common cards as well, with PSA 10’s reaching several hundred dollars each.

While the 1989 Fleer set as a whole suffers from overproduction typical of the junk wax era, there are still many valuable gems to be found. Superstar rookies like Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas hold their value strongest. Hall of Fame veterans and coveted errors/variants can also be quite pricey in pristine condition. For today’s collectors, this set remains a fun and affordable way to add iconic pieces of baseball history from the late 80s to a collection. Grading and condition are critical to realizing much value though. With some patience, there are deals to be had on even the pricier 1989 Fleer cards if a collector knows where to look.

1988 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

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The 1988 Fleer baseball card set featured over 600 player and playoff cards encompassing all 26 Major League Baseball teams of the time. Compared to earlier Fleer releases, the 1988 set marked a transition to higher quality cardboard stock and focused photography that produced some of Fleer’s best and most iconic cards of the late 1980s era.

Some key aspects of the 1988 Fleer baseball cards checklist and set included:

Size: The standard sized cards were 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, the same dimensions used by most card manufacturers at the time including Topps and Donruss.

Design: Fleer’s designers opted for simplified black borders around full bleed color action shots of players. Player names and positions were printed clearly above the photos while team logos ran along the bottom. Overall it was a clean, crisp look that allowed the vibrant photos to take center stage.

Photography: Fleer employed top sports photographers who captured players in dynamic on-field action or unique posed portraits. The photos had a high-quality glossy finish and really captured the personalities and styles of individual ballplayers. Notable snapshots included Ozzie Smith backflipping, Dwight Gooden’s windup, and Wade Boggs in his batting stance.

Roster: The set included all 30 Major League teams from 1987. This was the last year before divisional realignment and addition of the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies franchises in 1993. Notable rookies included Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Charles Nagy.

Serial Numbers: Cards were serial numbered on the front from 1 to approximately 650. The numeric stamp was on the lower right corner and helped differentiate between duplicated common players across the set.

Variations: The 1988 Fleer set featured several popular parallel and short print variations. The Gold Medallion parallel subset featured embossed gold foil stamping around the borders and was one of Fleer’s most coveted insert sets. Other minor variations popped up due to photo and stats errors.

Inserts: Fleer included playoff recap inserts highlighting the 1987 World Series and LCS matchups between the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals as well as the ALCS between the Tigers and Twins. Additional non-sports inserts covered topics like endangered species and 1988 Olympic medalists.

Rarity: While some stars like Gooden, Strawberry, and Canseco had over 10 different cards due to update and special set inclusions, most common players topped out around 4-6 different base variants. Key short prints and parallels ensured the set had sought after chase cards for collectors.

Checklist: Some of the more notable and valuable stars featured in the 1988 Fleer set included Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, Dwight Gooden, Kirby Puckett, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, and Ryne Sandberg. Rookies like McGwire, Larkin, and Todd Stottlemyre also gained popularity.

In subsequent years, Fleer baseball cards adopted glossier photo stock, experimented more with parallel subsets, and added rookie cup inserts. But the 1988 checklist remained very popular long after its original release date thanks to the enduring photography and simpler yet functional design elements. Today complete high-grade 1988 Fleer sets still command huge price tags while individual stars, inserts and short prints continue to entice collectors and investors. The set marked a creative high point and transition year for Fleer that showcased the talents of top baseball players through memorable on-card snapshots.

MOST VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS 1981 FLEER

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The 1981 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. While it lacked the star power and design innovations of Topps, the set broke new ground by giving Fleer its first MLB license. Several key factors contribute to certain 1981 Fleer cards achieving immense value today.

The most coveted and valuable card from the set is the unmatched Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card. Renowned for kickstarting Jordan’s legendary career and cultural dominance, the Fleer MJ rookie is arguably the most iconic sports card of all-time. In near-mint condition, examples have broken auction records by selling for over $500,000. Even well-worn copies still fetch five figures due to the card’s unmatched historical significance.

Another iconic rookie from 1981 Fleer is Cal Ripken Jr.’s debut card. As the future “Iron Man” who broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak, Ripken blossomed into a fan favorite and surefire Hall of Famer. High-grade Ripken rookies regularly sell for $5,000-$10,000 at auction. Derivatives like autographed or signed examples can reach the $20,000-40,000 range.

While rookie cards garner top dollar, there are also valuable veterans from the ’81 Fleer set. Kirby Puckett’s card has increased steeply in demand and value since his untimely death in 2006. Combined with his beloved status on powerful Twins teams, a Puckett in gem mint condition can sell for $2,000-$4,000 or more. Another Twins star, Dave Winfield, has an extremely rare error variation that lacks the Fleer logo on the front. Only a handful are known to exist, with one achieving a record $96,000 auction price.

Nolan Ryan’s fiery fastball made him a fan favorite for decades, and his ’81 Fleer performance has garnered strong collector interest. Higher graded versions with his Express uniforms change hands for $1,000-$2,000. Perhaps the set’s most visually impressive card is Joe Charboneau’s action shot, known as the “Crash” card for depicting the former Rookie of the Year’s daring diving catches. High-quality copies can surpass $1,000 as well due to the image’s classic appeal.

Condition is paramount when determining a 1981 Fleer card’s true value. Financial hits are taken for issues like creases, corners, edges or centering far outside tolerable ranges. The fragile, non-glossy stock of early ’80s Fleer issues makes them prone to showing wear. As a result, examples graded Gem Mint 10 by authorities like PSA or BGS bring massive premiums in the collector marketplace.

Beyond individual star power, sets or long runs of 1981 Fleer cards can possess immense value potential as well. A full, 132-card base set in pristine condition could bring a staggering $20,000 at auction from dedicated set builders. The included Joaquin Andujar and Gary Alexander oddball design parallels also hold significance. Near-complete runs with exceptions for unavailable chase cards represent another intriguing area of deep collector interest and bidding wars.

While rookie ticket holders like Jordan and Ripken understandably claim top-of-mind awareness, the 1981 Fleer set stands as a true pioneer release that galvanized the entire baseball card industry going forward. Breaking Fleer into the MLB licensing game helped breathe new competitive life and creativity into the collecting sphere. Four decades later, the set’s iconic designs, star power and condition sensitivities make certain 1981 Fleer cards prized target acquisitions for keen vintage collectors and investors alike. With rarer standouts trading hands for record sums, the set remains a pillar in the hobby due to its historical firsts and wealth of future Hall of Famers in their early careers.

1987 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

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The 1987 Fleer baseball card set was the seventh issued by Fleer and contained a total of 420 cards. Most notable was the inclusion of a career retrospective subset for Hall of Famer Stan Musial who was celebrating his 40th anniversary in Major League Baseball that season. The design was similar to previous Fleer issues with a horizontal card layout featuring the player’s image on a solid color backdrop. Some key details about the 1987 Fleer baseball cards include:

Base Set (Cards 1-420) – The base card checklist was similar to Topps and Donruss in highlighting the biggest stars and regular players from around the majors in 1987. Some of the top rookies included in the set were Mark Salas (Card #361), Jim Abbott (Card #74), and Gregg Olson (Card #375). Hall of Famers included in the base cards were Nolan Ryan (Card #11), Phil Niekro (Card #153), and Tom Seaver (Card #23).

Career Retrospective Subset (Cards 421-426) – For the first time, Fleer paid homage to a veteran player’s storied career with this 6-card subset focused on Stan Musial. Each card highlighted a different decade or aspect of Musial’s career from 1941-1957 with the St. Louis Cardinals. This included stats, accomplishments, and memorable moments to recognize Musial’s remarkable 22-year MLB career.

Traded/Update/Manager/Coach Cards (Cards 427-442) – Similar to other issues, Fleer had trade/update cards to account for players who changed teams after the initial checklist was finalized. These cards saw lower print runs. There were manager and coach cards as well.

Multi-Player/Team Cards (Cards 443-446) – Fleer included 4 special cards showing various players and teams together such as the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets and All-Star teams.

Errors, Omissions, Variations – As with any large release, there were mistakes and variations. One notable error was #219 Mark Salas being shown in a San Diego Padres uniform despite being drafted and signed with the Minnesota Twins. Other wrong uniforms and statistical errors occurred as was typical for the time.

Checklist Values – Top rookie cards like Jim Abbott and Gregg Olson held strong early value. The Musial subset and Nolan Ryan base card were also highly regarded. Common base cards had only nominal worth initially while short-print updates gained premiums due to rarity. Over time, star and HOF’er cards like Tom Seaver, Tony Gwynn, and Dale Murphy rose in esteem. Condition remaining a key factor in pricing.

Release Highlights – Fleer distributed the 1987 set through traditional retailers like grocery and drug stores. The inserts honoring Stan Musial were lauded by fans and collectors alike. While the design lacked visual pop compared to competitors, strong rookie choices kept the issue appealing both on the field and in the collecting realm. Production numbers were high maintaining general availability and affordability over the long run for most cards in the set. It achieved the dual goals of commemorating baseball history while also spotlighting the current season.

The 1987 Fleer checklist captured the sport’s great past through the Musial career subset along with the rising future stars just starting their journeys. Quality rookie cards plus inclusion of perennial Fan Favorites made for an engaging issue to follow both the players portrayed and the vintage industry itself as the collecting boom began in full force. Those collecting for specific teams or individuals could find myriad options at reasonable costs thanks to Fleer’s distribution reach. It undoubtedly remains one of the more historically relevant and fondly remembered mid-1980s releases to this day.