This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/19/2016
It was only a few decades ago that an unopened box of Fleer basketball cards could be had for around the price of a movie ticket today. While baseball cards had reached a crest of popularity by the mid-1980s, basketball cards were considered a waste of money and time. After all, there wasn't exactly a track record of success when it came to the stars of the hardwood. After failed "one-hit wonders" by Bowman (1948), Topps (1957) and Fleer (1961), Topps gave it another go with the 1969 set and actually put together a run of annual sets that lasted up through 1981 before calling it quits again. While each of those sets can boast the creation of important rookie cards, it was becoming more and more evident that basketball cards just couldn't gain any traction in the sports card market. Ah, but then came the 1986 Fleer set! While Fleer sold enough of the product to continue annual sets, the basketball card market wasn't reaching anywhere near the level of popularity as the dreadfully over-saturated baseball card market, so the level of production for basketball cards reflected the public's tepid demand. It certainly didn't help that Fleer seemed to carry on the tradition of the woefully poor quality control that was so prevalent in the 1957 Topps and 1961 Fleer basketball sets. 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, and to this day, the 1986 Fleer basketball set has become the flagship assemblage of modern sports cards. 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 was so taken by the completely unadulterated nature of the box that he included a letter of authenticity that states, "... 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. Those additional stickers are: Jordan, Magic Johnson and Olajuwon." It's very likely that when Mr. Hart examined and authenticated each pack, it was the first time that the packs had ever been outside the confines of the cardboard box. 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. With prices of 1986 Fleer basketball PSA 10's reaching historic levels, and not just for the Jordan but for the other stars as well as many of the commons, the investment potential of this incredible item is limitless!