Andrew Pace
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards are highly sought-after by collectors. The set consists of 132 cards, including one checklist card. The cards were released at a time when no mainstream company was producing basketball cards, so the market was starved for them. The 1986 Fleer set is notable for being the rookie card of Michael Jordan, despite him not actually being a rookie that year. The cards were designed with a straightforward design and packaged in wax packs with gum, available in most large variety stores and drug store chains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cards in the set | 132 |
| Number of cards printed for each player | 250,000 |
| Number of Jordan rookie cards | 14,000 |
| Number of cases produced | 6,400 |
| Card size | 2-1/2" by 3-1/2" |
| Wrapper | Wax |
| Gum included | Yes |
| Distribution | Variety stores, drug store chains, card stores |
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What You'll Learn
The 1986 Fleer basketball set consists of 132 cards
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards were released at a time when there was a gap in the market for basketball cards. From 1982 until 1986, there were no mainstream card companies producing basketball cards, so the market was starved for new cards. This, combined with the set's level playing field, created a high demand for the 1986 Fleer cards. The cards were distributed through variety stores, drug store chains, and card stores, making them easily accessible to collectors.
The design of the 1986 Fleer basketball cards was straightforward and eye-catching, featuring red, white, and blue borders. The wax packs even included gum, bringing back nostalgic memories for many collectors. The release of these cards brought back the tradition of tossing a couple of card packs into the cart while shopping.
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards have gained a sentimental value for many collectors, reminding them of their childhood. The cards have also become highly sought-after due to their condition rarity. Collectors strive to obtain the most well-centred copies with pristine borders. The competition for high-end cards, especially those of Michael Jordan, has driven up the prices of unopened packs and boxes.
The value of the 1986 Fleer basketball cards has increased significantly over the years, with some cards selling for more than ten times their previous price. The trading card business has experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the release of ESPN's "The Last Dance" has further spurred interest in Michael Jordan memorabilia. As a result, the 1986 Fleer Jordan card is considered the most recognizable basketball card in the hobby.
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250,000 of each card were printed
The 1986 Fleer basketball card set was the company's first basketball product and an instant success. The set consists of 132 cards, including one checklist card, and 250,000 of each card were printed. This large print run was due to the product's disappointing reception on the market; Fleer cut production by half for their 1987/1988 set.
The 1986 Fleer set was released at a time when there was a drought of basketball cards on the market. No mainstream card company had produced basketball cards from 1982 until Fleer's 1986 set. This meant that the 1986 Fleer set included the "rookie cards" of players who had actually been in the league for years, including 12 future Hall of Famers such as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing.
The 1986 Fleer cards were distributed in wax packs with gum, available at most of the nation's big variety stores and drug store chains. This wide distribution meant that it became routine for shoppers to toss a couple of packs into their carts while buying other goods. The cards' straightforward design and user-friendly collation also added to their appeal.
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards are now highly sought-after by collectors. The Jordan rookie card is considered "the most recognizable basketball card and the most important modern card from any sport in the entire hobby." The value of these cards has increased dramatically in recent years, with a PSA 10 Jordan selling for more than 10 times the price it fetched 12-13 months ago.
Collectors of the 1986 Fleer set are often motivated by an emotional connection to the cards, in addition to their financial value. The competition for "high-end" cards, particularly those in pristine condition, has driven up the price of unopened packs and boxes.
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The cards were sold in wax packs with gum
The 1986 Fleer basketball set was an instant success, bringing basketball cards "back to the masses". The cards were sold in wax packs with gum, available at most large variety stores and drug store chains across the nation. This made it easy for people to buy a couple of packs while shopping for other goods, without having to make a special trip to a card store.
The 1986 Fleer basketball set was the company's first basketball product, and it consisted of 132 cards, including one checklist card. Each card was a standard 2-1/2" by 3-1/2". The set's appeal was that it contained no rarities, giving everyone an equal opportunity to find the series' stars.
The cards were eye-catching, with red, white, and blue borders, and a straightforward design. The wax packs were also available in card stores, but they didn't require a special trip to one of those stores to purchase them. The manner of distribution for the 1986 Fleer release was a definite asset, and the content was also a factor in its success.
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards were released at a time when the market was starved for cards. There had been no mainstream basketball cards produced from 1982 until 1986, when Fleer issued its seminal set. This set created rookie cards for several players, including 12 future Hall of Famers, even though some had been in the league for years.
The 1986-87 Fleer Jordan cards were graded perfect 10s by PSA Authentication and Grading Services, and the trading card business has boomed to unprecedented heights since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cards in these wax packs always follow the same pattern, and there are roughly 2-3 Jordan cards in each box.
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The 1986-87 Fleer Jordan cards were graded perfect 10s
The card's design is simple yet memorable, featuring a red, white, and blue border with a crisp action shot of Jordan in his Bulls uniform. The card also includes the bold "Chicago Bulls" team name and Jordan's name at the bottom. This card is special because it captures the early stages of Jordan's legendary career. By the time of its release, Jordan had already won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1985 and was on his way to becoming a global icon. The card also holds historical significance as it is part of the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set, which marked a new era in sports card collecting.
The value of the 1986 Fleer Jordan card has skyrocketed in recent years. If you bought one at auction a decade ago, the price would have been around $8,000. By the end of 2019, it had jumped to the $40,000 range. In January 2021, two separate cards were auctioned off for a record-breaking $738,000 each. This surge in value is partly due to the increased interest in Jordan collectibles following the release of ESPN's "The Last Dance" in 2020.
The low protection level of the cards at the time of their release contributes to the rarity of finding perfect 10 cards today. Sports card analyst Chris Steuber attributed this to the low quality of plastic card protectors available in the 1980s. Despite not being particularly rare compared to other modern six-figure cards, the 1986 Fleer Jordan card's near-perfect condition makes it highly desirable among collectors.
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The cards were 2-1/2 by 3-1/2
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards were a standard size for trading cards, measuring 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches. This size is also known as 'wide' or 'tobacco' size and has been a standard dimension for sports and other trading cards for many years. The dimensions of 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches provide a practical and convenient format for card collectors. This size allows for easy storage in protective sleeves or binders, which are often designed with this standard size in mind. The cards can be easily displayed and arranged in this format, making them a popular choice for collectors who wish to showcase their collections.
The size of the cards also provides a practical canvas for card designers. With a total surface area of 8.75 square inches, the designers can include detailed images and information about the featured basketball players. The front of the card typically features an action shot of the player, with their name and team logo. On the reverse, collectors are treated to a wealth of statistics and further information about the player's career.
This standard card size has been a consistent feature of the Fleer brand. The 1986 set was the company's inaugural release of basketball cards, and they chose this size to align with the standard dimensions used by other sports card manufacturers. This decision was likely influenced by the existing infrastructure of the trading card industry, including display stands and packaging designed for this size.
The 2-1/2 by 3-1/2-inch size also has a practical advantage in terms of printing and production. This size allows for efficient use of card stock and facilitates the printing process. The dimensions provide a suitable space for the inclusion of essential anti-counterfeit measures, such as holograms or embossed logos, which are often incorporated into modern trading cards.
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards, with their standard dimensions, have become a benchmark for sports trading cards. The size is synonymous with the hobby and allows collectors to easily store, display, and admire their collections. This format continues to be a popular choice for trading card manufacturers, ensuring consistency and familiarity for collectors. The dimensions of 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches have, therefore, played a significant role in shaping the trading card industry and the way collectors engage with their favourite sports.
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Frequently asked questions
Fleer's maiden basketball set of 132 cards, released in 1986, created "rookie cards" for several players, including 12 future Hall of Famers.
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards were an instant success due to their eye-catching design and straightforward packaging in wax packs with gum. They were widely available in the nation's big variety stores and drug store chains, making them accessible to a large number of collectors.
The value of the 1986 Fleer basketball cards, especially Michael Jordan's rookie card, has increased significantly over the years. The trading card business has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and ESPN's release of "The Last Dance" in 2020 further spurred interest in Jordan memorabilia.
