They were almost unsellable 30 years ago. Modern basketball cards had all but died and Fleer’s valiant attempt to bring them back in the latter half of the 1980s was met with little more than a yawn. Now, though, unopened boxes of the first two years of Fleer hoops are worth a small fortune.
On Wednesday, just hours after the official opening of the National Sports Collectors Convention, Baseball Card Exchange sold a full case of 1987-88 Fleer–the only one known to still exist. The asking price had been $79,000.
Also gone in a hurry in the $70,000 neighborhood were seven fresh unopened boxes of 1986-87 Fleer–the Michael Jordan rookie card year. Both the boxes and the unopened ’87 case had come from one source. A man in Sherburne, NY who had apparently drifted away from collecting, had contacted BBCE a few months ago after learning of the potential value of the stash he’d had sitting in a room inside his house.
The seller had opened one box to make sets at the time they were purchased more than 30 years ago. A few years later, when prices began to rise, he sold some of the others. Seven remained and that’s where they stayed until April.
Keep in mind a complete unopened case of 1986-87 Fleer hasn’t surfaced in the hobby since the start of the new millennium, so finding six boxes, still sitting the original case is a drawing card for collectors and investors looking for untouched wax. Previous experience with unopened boxes and very good collation by Fleer typically ensures each box contains three or four Jordan rookie cards.
VintageBreaks.com purchased one of those boxes and is currently in the process of selling spots in what would be a hobby first: an ’86-87 Fleer group pack break. For $2,000 per pack, buyers can roll the dice in hopes their one in twelve (or one in nine) shot pays off big. As of Wednesday night, 11 of the 36 spots had been sold (Update: The break did not sell out in time for a planned break on the main stage late Saturday afternoon).
For all of the 2017 NSCC-related stories, visit our special section.
Related Stories:
1980s Fleer Basketball Stickers Skyrocket
The Iconic 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Set Turns 30
Mint Musial Rookie, 1986 Fleer Basketball Box Among Auction Standouts
News and Notes from the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention
1984 Star Company Michael Jordan Card Hits Six Figure Price
Topps Answers Questions at Annual NSCC Meet and Greet
Stocking Up to Meet Vintage Sports Card Demand at the National
The Man Who Wrote the Book on Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards
Jose Canseco Headlines Day One of The National
Bound for National Sports Collectors Convention? A Little Advice
