Despite hitting .322/.390/.511 with 34 doubles, 18 home runs and 93 RBI at Single-A in 1996, only the Fleer company had the foresight to put David Ortiz in its 1997 products, meaning the 1997 Fleer and premium 1997 Ultra sets contain the only two rookie cards of one of the marquee players of his generation. As you already know, there wasnt much difference between the 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack sets except that 1915 Cracker Jack cards are usually found in better shape since they were a redemption set. 1993 US Playing Cards Cal Ripken Jr. Auto Unaffectionately referred to as the Junk Wax Era," the period of 1984 to 1993 was a time of burgeoning gluttony, the ramifications of which are still being felt today. Carlos Delgado is one of the most overlooked players of the 1990s and early part of the new millennium. The New York Yankees signed 20-year-old Mariano Rivera out of Panama on Feb. 17, 1990, and he allowed just 17 hits and one earned run with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings in his pro debut at the rookie ball level later that year. The packs, from what I have seen, were never labeled any differently from the regular issue packs. The question is: where do you start on this list? 1990 Topps George Bush USA1 Glossy Gehrig was one of a long line of Yankee legends and no doubt put up some of the greatest hitting statistics of them all. We wouldn't have really said this a couple years ago. MGYwZGI5OWNiOWU4YTYwNDJjMDhhYWU4ZjA2Yzg3YTcwYTY2Iiwic2lnbmF0 Wax Pack Gods, 100 Most Expensive Magic The Gathering Cards Sold on eBay in the Last 30 Days, 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Cards 28 Most Valuable Wax Pack Gods. This card is a prime example of an instance where neither being a star nor an error card can bring in big bucks. Many collectors are happy to just be able to own one of these legendary cards in the first place, though. The first of two Donruss cards on this list, this one features a headshot of the 1985 American League MVP, Don Mattingly. The Topps Sosa rookie card doesnt exists in a super-rare varation like the Big Hurt does, but it has still spent plenty of time in the sun over the last 30 years. In 16 seasons, he hit .318/.379/.553 for a 140 OPS+ with 449 home runs, 1,496 RBI and 59.5 WAR, and he earned Hall of Fame induction in 2018. The 1985 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card has seen its share of ups and downs. This plentiful Sammy RC brings around $7 in graded MINT condition. Card manufacturers like Donruss started releasing Refractor parallels on the heels of the junk wax era in an effort to create scarcity and thus value in their cards. MjM4ODgwMDVkYjZlM2Y0ODFmNjhhY2FkMjNkODk2MzVhNWZmZDFmZWI0YTY4 Issued by the Mayo and Brother Tobacco Works of Richmond, VA, the set contains 48 different cards overall but Anson's is undoubtedly the most coveted. His career ERA of 2.13 proves just how difficult it was to hit off of him. Several player variations exist, some with as many as 12, so the series boasts well over 3,000 different cards in total. Those that have been found in high grade are thought to have never been packaged and instead left the factory by hand. Larry Doyle, a second baseman, played for the New York Giants of the NL at the time so most likely that is the reason for the mix-up. All-Stars Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25 1990 Fleer #3 Jose Canseco Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20 1990 Fleer #217 Darryl Strawberry Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20 1990 Fleer #297 Juan Gonzalez Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20 1990 Fleer #485 Albert Belle Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20 1990 Fleer Update #U-87 Frank Thomas Rookie Card What if he had just pursued baseball? The card features a great image of the Sultan of Swat seated in pinstripes looking over his right shoulder atop a green background. Considered to be one of the more obscure Honus Wagner type cards its value continues to remain strong. Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner also appear in this set but Jacksons card is easily the most important and most valuable card in the set. And, though, the bud has long rotted off the rose here, this card still has fans and enough have been submitted to keep it on this list for a good while to come. YmVmNWJkYmU0MDk2MmI5M2ZkNjhhNWY4YzY0Y2MxNWUyODAyODk0NzY2MDNh This was really the first big multi signed chase card. 1986 Topps Tiffany Bo Jackson. ZWNhMTIyN2Q1OTkzMDEyMDc4NGQ0ZmJmMGY1MWRlYmViMDJjNmNlNWQwOGEx But what puts the Bat Off Shoulder relatively much higher on this list than the others is that you can find this card in PSA 9 Mint condition, unlike the others. These 5 by 8 cards were part of a redemption program where collectors sent in coupons in exchange for them. Key to the 1953 Topps set is the #244 Willie Mays baseball card. Don Mattingly Donruss Rc #248. One of the rarest pre-WWI candy issues ever distributed is the 1912 Plows Boy Candy set that included 69 different baseball players. 100 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Sold on eBay in the Last 30 Days. Many baseball historians still consider Cobb the greatest all-around player that ever graced a baseball diamond. Its not particularly glamorous but its a key card from a classic set. 1990 Fleer Update: Key Cards and Checklist, 1990 Leaf Baseball Cards 11 Most Valuable. I know this was written a while back, but its really nice that you brought attention to an era that defined the hobby of which I, and many other collectors, grew up in. And with those five prime seasons back, he quite possibly couldve added enough home runs to his career 521 total to challenge Ruths record of 714 before Aaron did. Then make sure the sold field is checked. Steroids and controversy are a common theme among many of the top Junk Wax Era cards. The error was quickly caught, though, so there arent many copies in existence. This 1990 Bowman version helped raise the brand out of the general blah muck of its resurrected debut in 1989 and set it on a path toward becoming THE place to find rookie cards. Neg. You would end up with a lot more commons trying to dig up one of those than hitting a autographed 92 score card. I have created all kinds of ways to use them- I cant even give them away on ebay. The end result is several versions. Johnny Damon had a colorful career. Proving that sometimes a second-year card can be more desirable than a rookie, the 1992 Bowman Chipper Jones is also a throwback to early 1990s fashion. No one wanted them they said sell everything that has a baseballl on it. Your forgot to mention the 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds/Ray error card still has top value from junk wax era. This isnt the most popular of Thomas rookie cards, but it still fetches around $15 in PSA 9 condition. First, you have to realize that 1990 represented a sort of turning point in the hobby, a year when other card companies began to acknowledge the inroads that Upper Deck made into the market during their inaugural year in 1989. But the value between the two isnt affected. He also posted what many believe to be the greatest single season for a pitcher in 1913 after going 36-7 with a 1.14 ERA. A few important parameters for our list before we get started: The No. However, despite the overwhelming amount of material from this period, there are several cards that should be included in any baseball card collection. NTIwZGMwMGI4NjU1NjI3MTk4N2E1NmY3OWFhZGFlNjQzNjhlNTEyMjMwODUx In my personal opinion, the term junk wax is generally used to describe all cards printed during the period of heightened (mass) production. I am sitting here with 50 thousand sport cards. How much are YOUR cards worth? Top athletes from baseball, football, hockey, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, horse racing and even dog sled racing are showcased in the set. Two years later, he was an All-Star for the first time, and the year after that he won his first of two Cy Young awards. The legendary Cap Anson appears on two different cards with the uniform version being the rarer of the two. Another obscure and rarely seen card, the 1915 E106 American Caramel Honus Wagner Throwing variation is just as much of a classic. People are spending as much on old pieces of cardboard as most people spend on a house. There came a time in the history of the trading card hobby that mainstream manufacturers like Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Upper Deck were shipping cards as fast as they could print them. Napoleon Lajoie was considered the best defensive second baseman of his day and won three batting titles, had 3,242 total hits and a .338 average. Expect prices in the $10-15 range for copies in PSA 9. As for the 1992 Score Franchise Autograph card with Mantle/Yaz/Musial, or any of the autographed cards from that issue, I wish you the best of luck pulling one; let alone finding one for sale. Today, this is about a $10 card in PSA 9 condition. And, unfortunately, Goudey mailed the card with a paper clip on it that left indentations on the card. A PSA Gem Mint 10 #128 Aaron sold for $357,594 in 2012, a price that would easily be overcome in todays market. Mathewson is the only player in both the 1914 and 1915 sets whose poses are entirely different. 1990 Hoops #65 Michael Jordan. :}He will say you must have spent thousands of dollars. Supply is plentiful but the notoriety keeps this card in demand. It was my first true glimpse at being an entrepreneur, selling cards and trading. Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990's - Rookie Cards Only Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35 Check prices on: Don Mattingly could flat out playhe could hit for average and a bit of power while at the same time maintaining a solid glove at first base . Mays could hit, throw, field and run with the best of them. The 1992 Bowman Mariano Rivera, his lone MLB card from the year, is part of the reason the set continues to be very popular at a time when many similar sets have dropped significantly. This is what the true value is. I carry one in the back of my phone case cover. Collectors will pay big money for either version as long as its in high grade. For a guy with such an intimidating nickname and offensive profile, Frank Thomas sure could light up a room or stadium or baseball card with that smile of his. An SGC 9.5 Example Sold in August 2022 for $12,600,000. 1 1992 Bowman Trevor Hoffman #11 Trevor Hoffman isn't as well-known as the other players on this list, but his #11 Bowman card is still worth a decent bit of money. Thats simply my subjective take I think its important to know that like nearly all historical periods, it didnt just start and end exactly at one specific moment in time. While not as pricey as the Yellow or Red Ruths of the same set, its still a very expensive card and a key member of the Ruth quartet. And its one of the most famous error cards in the entire hobby, too. Who knows what a high grade example of this card would go for? So, if you can get your hands on one of these cards in high grade then you are looking at some big bucks. Donnie Baseball is pictured wearing a Yankees cap, which is the team he would go on to spend his whole 13-year pro career at. Today, it sells for $5-10 in graded MINT condition. 1990 Score #560 Ken Griffey Jr. They need to nurture it with the young kids or they wont have anyone interested in collecting them in 20 years. Baseball cards in my little town and at school was huge. Wonderful article. 10. Put the two together and you've got one gem that looks good and is extremely affordable. Find out for yourself with our FREE checklist to guide you step-by-step. Just as in his career on the diamond, Walker has always been kind of the quiet star among 1990 rookies, and especially in the high-profile 1990 Leaf set. Many collectors are happy to just be able to own one of these legendary cards in my little and! 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