We’re returning once more to the 140-card Series I of the 1995-96 Finest set. The base cards had different designs based on a player’s position, but we’ve been focusing on the 29-card subset of Draft Picks, identifiable by their orange border and “NBA 1st Round Draft Pick” on the front. We’ve looked at two that featured close-up headshots, the landmark Kevin Garnett and Antonio McDyess. We’ve also looked at the #111 Joe Smith, an exciting action shot that shares #111 with an error checklist card in the set. This #113 Jerry Stackhouse rookie is yet another exciting action shot. But we’re returning to Finest because there’s a topic we have yet top address. The cards are turning green over time!
Topps Finest was paving the way for premium and super premium sets, working hard on innovating card construction with their Chromium technology and patents. This gave the cards a unique, metallic shine and a strong reputation. Unfortunately, with this technology came what collectors today call “greening.” Those who want to add a more understanding and accepting tone, with a touch of humor call it “Hulking.” Unfortunately, there’s not too much we can say that’s conclusive. What have we heard? One half of a set turned green while the other didn’t. Cards turning green in BGS slabs, a possible issue with the plastic sleeve in the slab? But we’ve seen cards change within PSA slabs too. Some collectors avoid greening for 15-18 years and then suddenly, one day, the cards begin to turn. There are stories of cards coming from the pack with some green. There are people who swear that if humidity and light are avoided at all costs, there is no change. And there are also people who seem 100% confident that the fate of all early Chromium cards is to turn green at some point in time. So what can we say for sure? First, it never hurts to avoid best practices and avoid humidity and sunlight when storing cards, whether this is the solution to greening or not. Many factors probably contribute, but there seems to be a reaction between the ink and other materials in the cards causing the greening. Changes were made and cards produced after 1998 aren’t yet affected by this phenomenon. It is upsetting and it is affecting value in the market. Topps made some great cards, but in the effort to innovate, sometimes effects of decisions aren’t known until years after the fact.
Let’s turn our attention back to this Series I Jerry Stackhouse rookie. All of the rookies except Sasha Danilovic are in Series I, by the way. Not to bring up more controversy, but you see it still has the protective film. Some like the card closer to pack fresh with film on and don’t want to risk damage removing it. Others like to see the card as Topps intended and don’t want defects on the film affecting the grade of a card.
There’s not too much more to say about this card. The trivia on the back is interesting, mentioning his being named Sports Illustrated’s player of the Year. In this set, stats are limited to the previous season and career totals, so they’re not too informative. Just a nice Jerry Stackhouse rookie card. But I think it was important that we address the greening of the card, something that we haven’t talked about before previously.
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