The Set: In mid-March Fleer issued update cards in boxed factory sets to card shops. This Fleer Update set was one of the first sets where collectors could finally have current-year rookies on trading cards. The update cards shared the same order (being arranged alphabetically by team) and same design as the regular 1990-91 Fleer set, except for a “U” prefix in front of the card number. 1990-91 Hoops and Skybox also included some of these current-year rookies in their second series, but only the first eleven lottery picks of the draft. By producing this boxed Fleer Update set, Fleer could include many more of the drafted players, not just these lottery picks. When the set came out, the Dee Brown rookie was very exciting to collectors. But today, the Gary Payton rookie card is the reason that collectors should have this set.
The Card: The #U-92 Gary Payton rookie is truly the reason collectors purchase these boxes today. Box breakers often say that they are basically buying a lottery ticket for a Gary Payton PSA 10. The other cards are easy to come by, and they don’t command high values, even at high grades. The reverse of this card perfectly captures the momentum that Payton had when he entered the NBA. It’s worth a read to travel back in time for a taste of the potential and excitement surrounding him.
In Short: Let’s be honest, the Gary Payton rookie is the the only reason collectors are buying these factory boxes of 1990 Fleer Update. For box breakers, it’s like a lottery ticket, do I have a PSA 10 Payton in here or not. I clearly didn’t, look at that centering. But because Fleer produced this Update set in mid-March, we have a special first in basketball card collecting. I’m nearly positive that this is the first time we have a current-year rookie on a card that’s actually playing on the court in his uniform. Really cool trivia and good reason to have one of these Update sets in your collection. Subscribe and collect with us! We spend more time we should on basketball cards that are often overlooked!
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