In a decade that offered plenty of memorable candidates, the 1997-98 Upper Deck Basketball product offered one of the most significant and important insert sets ever released. Both Series 1 and 2 packs featured the very first NBA game-used jersey cards to ever hit the market.With the groundbreaking 22-card set inserted in an astronomically difficult one in every 2,500 packs, … [Read more...] about 1997-98 Upper Deck Basketball Game Used Jersey Set an Insert for the Ages
Michael Jordan
1993-94 Fleer Ultra Inside Outside Insert Proves Less is More
As the 1990s unfolded, Fleer continued its efforts to produce increasingly higher quality base cards and inserts. The Ultra product that the company offered was as high end as it got back in the day. Compared to today, the process wasn't that complicated. You come up with an idea, add some gloss and some gold foil and call it a day.Fleer managed to get all of the big stars in … [Read more...] about 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Inside Outside Insert Proves Less is More
1996-97 Flair Showcase Hot Shots Insert Debuted as Great Balls of Fire
The 1996 NBA Draft brought an influx of all-time great talent into the league. The trading card manufacturers were expecting greatness and among the upper echelon products, Flair Showcase was a standout. There's even a tongue-in-cheek warning label on the hobby box, stating that the product was "for serious collectors only"... at least I think it's tongue-in-cheek. The … [Read more...] about 1996-97 Flair Showcase Hot Shots Insert Debuted as Great Balls of Fire
1993-94 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings Among 90s’ Most Popular Insert Sets
During a booming market for basketball cards, 1993-94 Fleer Ultra emerged as what was--for the time anyway--a high end product. Issued in two series, many shop owners and collectors gravitated toward the rookies and hard to pull cards in Series 2 but it was the 1st series that delivered one of the most well-received insert sets of the era. The design was so eye-catching … [Read more...] about 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings Among 90s’ Most Popular Insert Sets
1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe was Intergalactic, Planetary with Out of This World Inserts
The 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Basketball product crash landed on earth in a fiery ball from the future. Onlookers weren't exactly sure what they were laying their eyes on and, to be sure, no one had any idea of the significance and value of what lie inside those futuristic boxes and packs. Released in November of 1997, the eight card, 24 pack hobby boxes are one of … [Read more...] about 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe was Intergalactic, Planetary with Out of This World Inserts
1992-93 Topps Archives Bridged Decade Long NBA Gap with Missing Iconic “Rookie Cards”
After 13 straight years of producing basketball cards, the iconic Topps brand was seated squarely at the end of the bench after the 1981-82 NBA season. The New York-based card maker didn't check back into the basketball card game until the 1992-93 campaign. Attempting to make up for quite a bit of lost time, they cooked up a set using a brand name that's still familiar … [Read more...] about 1992-93 Topps Archives Bridged Decade Long NBA Gap with Missing Iconic “Rookie Cards”
Card Back Q&A: Andre Rison Talks Jerry Rice Comparisons, Studying Michael Jordan, Chilling with Ice Cube
Flint, Michigan born and raised, Andre Rison was a multi-sport star at Flint Northwestern High School, excelling on the gridiron, the hardwood and the track.Rison then headed to Michigan State where he continued to excel as a Spartan in three sports at the collegiate level but made his mark in football where he set school records in career receptions and career receiving yards. … [Read more...] about Card Back Q&A: Andre Rison Talks Jerry Rice Comparisons, Studying Michael Jordan, Chilling with Ice Cube
1996 SPx Basketball Offered High Tech Imagery, Die Cut Style, Iconic Jordan Autograph
The 1996 SPx basketball set was monumental for a few rather important reasons. It marked the first release for the ultra premium SPx Basketball brand. Using Upper Deck's Holoview technology, it was the first all-hologram base set release as well as the first all-die cut premium basketball base set ever offered. Combining these envelope pushing aspects made it a sight to behold. … [Read more...] about 1996 SPx Basketball Offered High Tech Imagery, Die Cut Style, Iconic Jordan Autograph
Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan Debut Tickets Both Smash Record
One of seven known ticket stubs from Jackie Robinson’s big-league debut in the spring of 1947 sold Sunday morning for $480,000, making it the most expensive sporting-event ticket ever sold at auction. The stub was the highest graded of only a small number of Robinson first game tickets known to exist. The first session of Heritage Auctions’ two-day Winter Platinum Night … [Read more...] about Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan Debut Tickets Both Smash Record
Earliest Pair Of Photo-Matched Air Jordan 1 Game Shoes Expected to Bring Big Price
Michael Jordan’s sneakers are coveted pieces of memorabilia, and Heritage Auction is offering the earliest photo-matched Air Jordan 1s in its current auction. The signed Air Jordans were matched to an April 1, 1986, game at Mecca Arena between Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee, destined to win the Central Division reach the Eastern Conference finals … [Read more...] about Earliest Pair Of Photo-Matched Air Jordan 1 Game Shoes Expected to Bring Big Price