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1989 PROCARDS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1989 ProCards baseball card set is considered one of the more unique issues from the late 1980s. While not as iconic or valuable as sets from Topps, Donruss, or Fleer during the peak of the baseball card boom, the 1989 ProCards does contain some cards that have increased in value in recent years. Let’s take a deeper look at the set and examine which individual cards from the 1989 ProCards run have realized the most value in today’s collectibles market.

The 1989 ProCards set contains 264 total cards and was produced by ProCards, Inc. The design features a colorful cartoon-style illustration of the player on the front with their name, team, and position below. On the back, stats and a short biography are provided. The design was quite different than the photos used by the larger issuing companies at the time but added a unique fun element. Card stock was also on the thinner side which has led to many examples showing wear over the past 30+ years.

In terms of the entire set, sealed wax packs and factory sets in mint condition do carry value but won’t fetch big money today. A full, near-mint set in a binder or pages typically sell in the $30-50 range online. There are several star rookie and Hall of Fame player cards that have gained appreciation. Here are some of the individual 1989 ProCards that have realized the most value:

Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card – Considered one of the all-time iconic rookie cards, Griffey’s 1989 ProCards RC is the crown jewel of the set. High grade examples in PSA/BGS 10 have sold for over $1,000 each. Even well-centered near-mint copies can reach the $100-200 range.

Greg Maddux Rookie Card – As one of the dominant pitchers of the 1990s, Maddux’s rookie is another key card. PSA 10s have reached $300-400 in recent eBay auctions. Most well-centered near-mint copies sell in the $50-100 range.

Frank Thomas Rookie Card – “The Big Hurt” exploded onto the scene in 1990 and his rookie is highly sought after as well. Graded PSA/BGS 10 examples have topped $200-300. Most raw near-mint copies sell for $50-150 depending on centering and condition.

Roberto Alomar Rookie Card – The smooth-fielding second baseman enjoyed success over two decades and his rookie holds value too. PSA 10 copies have reached $150-250. Most raw near-mint versions range $30-100.

Eric Davis Rookie Card – Injury plagued “Old Butterfingers” was an exciting power/speed threat early on. His rookie pops up less often but still carries demand. PSA 10s have brought $150-200. Near-mint copies range from $30-100.

Barry Larkin Rookie Card – Larkin put together a Hall of Fame career and his ’89 ProCards RC captures his early Cincinnati days. PSA/BGS 10 grades have topped $150. Most raw near-mint sell in the $30-100 bracket as well.

Additional Hall of Famer rookie cards like Tom Glavine, Jeff Bagwell, and Kenny Lofton from the 1989 ProCards set also command premiums relative to the issue. But star rookies aren’t all that carry value in the set. Veteran talent like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith also have cards that outperform the rest of the set depending on grade.

While the 1989 ProCards set as a whole hasn’t reached big numbers, the star rookie offerings and established talent within hold appeal to collectors both as investments and pieces of baseball history. Centering, condition, and eye appeal are crucial in determining the value an individual card from the set will realize. But for those willing to put in research, desirable ProCards from ’89 can still be unearthed from boxes and provide returns relatively to the issue if prized rookies or HOFers are unveiled.

1990 PROCARDS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1990 ProCards baseball card set was one of the last true sport-licensed sets produced during the industry’s junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Issued during a time when the value of baseball cards had plummeted due to overproduction and lack of restraint on the part of manufacturers, the 1990 ProCards set has developed a cult following among collectors today despite initially being dismissed as just another product of the era. Let’s take an in-depth look at the background, design, content, and evolving value of cards from this famous yet oft-overlooked vintage sports card release.

ProCards was an independent card manufacturer established in 1988 in Dallas, Texas. Unlike today’s top two brands Topps and Upper Deck which hold exclusive MLB contracts, ProCards did not have an official sports league license for their baseball cards. They did however feature realistic images and uniform designs to portray current MLB players. The set size was a modest 249 cards including base cards, traded variations, die-cut subsets, and special rookie and highlight inserts. While not large by junk wax standards, it covered virtually every notable player from that 1990 MLB season.

Card design was simple but attractive for the era. A solid white border encapsulated each colorful player photo snapped in a crouched batting stance. Template borders on the sides and bottom displayed vital stats and career highlights. The back wasn’t cluttered with excessive stats tables like competitor brands – just a headshot, key numbers, career overview and acknowledgments. Basic yet clean and readable. What really stood out were specially embossed team logos foil stamped onto each player’s uniform. This added a premium collectible feel even for a non-licensed release.

Content was comprehensive for the time. Roster coverage spanned all 26 MLB clubs featuring stars like Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, and Ken Griffey Jr. alongside lessers. Rarity injected excitement with die-cut parallels and ultra-short printed rookie phenoms like Sandy Alomar Jr. Popular traded variants swapped out team logos on uniform embossed inserts. Special insert sets spotlighted base stealer Eric Davis and All-Star slugger Mark McGwire among others. Postseason highlights were also recognized. Overall it provided aficionados an affordable way to collect the entire 1990 season player pool.

Initially the 1990 ProCards held little cachet outside die-hard collector circles. Like other contemporaneous releases, inexpensive mass production yielded bargain bin remainder status. But over the ensuing decades, the combination of real uniforms, uncluttered vintage design sensibilities, and lack of investor-driven boom-bust cycles afforded this obscure set a rebirth. Today medium-grade ProCards rookies sell for $10-100 depending on the player while stars can top $200 in Gem Mint 10 condition slabs. Inserts and serially numbered parallels escalate prices further. Meanwhile full factory-sealed unopened wax boxes now demand over $1000 compared to their initial $3 MSRP.

The increasing nostalgia and interest in pre-modern MLB production has vaulted the 1990 ProCards into the realm of coveted vintage baseball memorabilia. While it lacks the official Topps logo designation, the vivid photography, accurate depictions, and tangible in-hand experiences it offers fans has helped combat its former junk wax stigma over 30 years. Whether as singles, sealed wax packs or full sets, savvy collectors now recognize this early independent release’s undervalued collectible cachet which promises further appreciation. In an era where cardboard sometimes fetches more than the game itself, the 1990 ProCards have carved a unique niche as an affordable connection to the historic 1990 MLB season deserving of baseball card historians time and collections.