This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/15/2017
There was a time when a 1986 Fleer basketball unopened wax box could be had for about the same price as a movie ticket. And at that time, most people would have preferred the movie ticket, even sports card collectors. Baseball cards had reached their height of popularity by the mid 1980's, over-saturating the market with product that would, in many cases, lost their value over time. Ironically, it was the Fleer basketball cards that sat untouched on store shelves, considered by collectors to be a waste of money and time. With previously failed attempts at creating a basketball card market, producing "one-hit wonders" by Bowman (1948), Topps (1957) and Fleer (1961), Topps actually put together a run of annual sets that lasted from 1969 through 1981, but again, the market just wasn't there to keep the party going. Just when it seemed evident that basketball cards just couldn't gain enough traction in the sports card market, a perfect storm came together to create what is now one of the most coveted sets of all time. Taking another shot at the open market in 1986, Fleer was able to sell just enough of the product to stay above water and continue producing annual sets, so the public's tepid demand was reflected in the limited production of the cards. But as time went by, Michael Jordan's exploits elevated him to being the greatest and most recognized athlete in the world, and along with Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone, Isiah Thomas and James Worthy, all of which make their debuts in the 1986 Fleer set, the NBA overtook Major League Baseball as the most popular sports league in America. With renewed popularity, a limited production run, and the immortal "MJ" leading the charge, the 1986 Fleer basketball set became the flagship collection of the modern sports card era. Presented is a full, unopened 36-count 1986 Fleer basketball box that is as pristine as when it sat on the candy store shelf some 30 years ago. Authenticated and sealed by Baseball Card Exchange, BBCE owner Steve Hart has certified, "... the collation of stickers is proper for a Fleer issued box. There are 3 stickers showing of each player and a 4th sticker showing of three additional players: Dantley, Bird and English." The box is wrapped and sealed by BBCE with their seal of approval, a rock-solid testimony to its authenticity, along with the signed letter from Mr. Hart. There is no single, more successful investment in the hobby than this, and the potential for advancement is limitless!