fleer
One of the ugliest sets I have is the 1991 Fleer Football Set, (See the 1991 Fleer "Kevin Mack" #38 below). It's also listed as #1 on my "Least Favorite Sets" list. A player cut-out pasted on a background of team colors. It must have taken the Fleer team a whole day to come up with that design!! I would be ashamed to say I was part of that design team. Regardless of how bad a year 1991 was for Fleer it did get better. The 1997 and 1998 sets are extremely attractive, (See the 1998 Fleer "Neil Smith #172 below). It took Fleer almost a decade, but they really turned the corner and produced a stunning set. The crisp and clear photography, (Something Collector's Edge didn't have on all their sets), excellent stats and the color coded teams within the stat box on the back was a nice addition. In my opinion, Fleer is the only brand that has been at both the top and bottom of my list.
I think the Flair series is a very Sharp, Attractive Series in the hobby today. The Preview cards that Fleer included in its 1995 Flagship title as a Insert set was a very intriguing way to get the hobby to see what coming in the near future, (See the 1995 Fleer Flair Preview "Cris Carter" #19 below). The photography for these cards is very crisp and alive.
The 1997 Series built on this superb photography, (Note: The 1996 Series does not exist. Unknown as to why this is so.). The 1995 Series sort of put the "Action Shot" and "Facial Shot" on the same level, however in 1997 the "Action Shot" is in the foreground while the "Facial Shot" is a under-intensified image in the background. Simply stunning and very attractive, (See the 1997 Flair Row 2 "Marvin Harrison" #15 below).
Fleer is definitely onto something here with this series. Keep up the great work Fleer, this series is a keeper!!!
Well, what can I say about the Game Day series. I enjoyed them. I didn't care for the oversized cards and I guess that is what ultimately did them in, but I liked the card layout, designs and photography, (See the 1992 GameDay "Patrick Hunter" #41 below). I should also point out that the backs were totally cool!! Talk about your complete usage of space. The stats, write-up and picture complete the card, (See the 1993 GameDay "Henry Thomas" #165 below). I have to hand it to the design team at GameDay, they really knew how to put together a good product.
Game Day had a relatively quick entrance and exit from the hobby. It seems to me that before anyone knew they were there they were gone. That just goes to show you what will happen if the collecting world does not approve. I guess the collector still prefers cards that are 3 1/2 X 2 1/2 and they probably always will.
I didn't like the Fleer Metal series when I first saw it, but in the end it really grew on me. I was never a big fan of player cut-outs pasted onto a off-the-wall background, but this series was the exception. The earlier designs were a little weird, (See the 1995 Metal "Garrison Hearst" #1 card below), but the designs did get better as Fleer built the Metal brand.
I am still a little confused about the 1997 series though, What made Fleer think that this is what we, the collector, wanted? (See the 1997 Fleer Metal Tony Gonzalez #193 below). Well, one thing is for sure and that is that no one tried anything like that before. The 1997 series makes me think it was something out of the labs of Collector's Edge.
The Ultra product line is definitely a big-time player in the hobby market. The Ultra team was a little slow getting into the Game-Used foray, but everything else they do is pure Gold!! From their very first set in 1991, (See the 1991 Ultra "Leonard Smith" #9 below), Fleer Ultra has produced nothing but stellar products. From their base cards to their Insert cards, (See the 1997 Fleer Ultra "Barry Sanders" Starring Role #2 below), I hope the Fleer Ultra team changes nothing; keep those great sets coming!!
My Photos
September 5, 2009
I have the following:
Fleer Series:
1) 1990 Fleer Set
A) All-Pros Insert
B) Fleer Update Set
2) 1991 Fleer Set
A) All-Pros Insert
B) Pro-Visions Insert
3) 1992 Fleer Set
A) All-Pros Insert
B) Mark Rypien Insert
C) Team Leaders Insert
D) Rookie Sensations Insert
4) 1993 Fleer Set
A) All-Pros Insert
B) Prospects Insert
C) Steve Young Insert
D) Team Leaders Insert
5) 1994 Fleer Set
A) All-Pros Insert
B) Pro-Visions Insert
C) Jerome Bettis Insert
D) Award Winners Insert
E) League Leaders Insert
F) Living Legends Insert
G) NFL Prospects Insert
H) Rookie Exchange Insert
I) Rookie Sensation Insert
J) Scoring Machines Insert
6) 1995 Fleer Set
A) Pro-Visions Insert
B) Aerial Attack Insert
C) Flair Preview Insert
D) NFL Prospects Insert
E) TD Sensations Insert
F) Rookie Sensations Insert
G) Gridiron Leaders Insert
7) 1996 Fleer Set
A) RAC Pack Insert
B) Breakthroughs Insert
C) Rookie Autographs Insert
D) Rookie Write-Ups Insert
E) Rookie Sensations Hot Pack Insert
8) 1997 Fleer Set
A) NFL Prospects Insert
B) Game Breakers Insert
C) Rookie Sensations Insert
D) Million Dollar Moments Insert
Fleer E-X Series:
1) 1997 E-X 2000 Set
A) Fleet of Foot Insert
B) Star Date 2000 Insert
2) 1998 E-X 2001 Set
3) 1999 E-X Century Set
A) Bright Lites (Yellow) Insert
B) E-Xtraordinary Insert
C) Authenkicks Insert
4) 2000 E-X Set - Do Not Have
A) E-Xciting Insert
5) 2001 E-X Set - Do Not Have
A) Constant Threads Insert
B) Behind The Numbers Insert
C) Rookie Autographs Insert - Incomplete ( 1 / 39 )
Fleer Focus Series:
1) 1999 Focus Set - Do Not Have
A) Feel The Game insert
B) Sparklers Insert
C) Wondrous Insert
D) Glimmer Men Insert
E) Fresh Ink - Incomplete ( 11 / 37 )
Fleer Game Day Series:
1) 1992 Game Day Set
2) 1993 Game Day Set
A) 2nd Year Standouts Insert
B) Gamebreakers Insert
C) Rookie Standouts Insert
3) 1994 Game Day Set
A) 2nd Year Standouts Insert
B) Gamebreakers Insert
C) Rookie Standouts Insert
D) Flashing Stars Insert
Metal Series:
1) 1995 Metal Set
A) Gold Blasters Insert
B) Silver Flashers Insert
C) Platinum Portraits Insert
2) 1996 Metal Set
A) Gold Flingers Insert
B) Gold Fingers Insert
C) Freshly Forged
D) Molten Metal
E) Platinum Portraits Insert
3) 1997 Metal Set
A) Iron Rookies Insert
B) Body Shop Insert
C) Marvel Metal Insert
4) 1998 Metal Set
5) 1999 Metal Set
A) Quasars Insert
B) StarChild Insert
C) Planet Metal Insert
Fleer Mystique Series:
1) 1999 Mystique Set
A) Protential insert
B) Feel The Game insert
C) Fresh Ink Insert - Incomplete ( 6 / 30 )
Fleer Flair Series:
1) 1995 Flair Set
A) TD Powers Insert
B) Hot Numbers Insert
C) Wave of The Future Insert
2) 1996 Flair Set - Does not exist
3A) 1997 Flair Row 2 Set
3B) 1997 Flair Row 1 Set
A) Midas Touch Insert
B) Wave of The Future Insert
4) 1998 Flair Set - Do Not Have
A) Feature Film Insert
5) 1999 Flair Set
A) Class of '99 jnsert
B) Shrine Time Insert
C) First Rounders Insert
D) Feel The Game Insert
Fleer Tradition Series:
1) 1998 Fleer Set
A) Rookie Sensations Insert
B) Big Numbers Prizes Insert
2) 1999 Fleer Set
A) Aerial Assault Insert
B) Under Pressure Insert
C) Unsung Heroes Insert
D) Rookie Sensations Insert
3) 2000 Fleer Set
A) Throwbacks Insert
B) Rookie Retro Insert
C) Patchworks Insert
D) Feel the Game Insert
E) Whole Ten Yards Insert
F) Tradition of Excellence Insert
G) Autographics Insert - Incomplete ( 69 / 160 )
F) Genuine Coverage - Incomplete ( 2 / 34 )
4) 2001 Fleer Set - Do Not Have
A) Autographics Insert - Incomplete ( 2 / 38 )
B) Rookie Retro Threads Insert - Incomplete ( 58 / 59 )
5) 2002 Fleer Set - Do Not Have
A) School Colors Memorabilia Insert
B) School Colors Duals Memorabilia Insert
Fleer Ultra Series:
1) 1991 Ultra Set
A) All-Stars Insert
B) Performances Insert
C) Update
2) 1992 Ultra Set
A) Chris Miller Insert
B) Reggie White Insert
C) Award Winners Insert
3) 1993 Ultra Set
A) Stars Insert
B) All-Rookies Insert
C) Michael Irvin Insert
4) 1994 Ultra Set
A) Stars Insert
B) TD Kings Insert
C) Rick Mirer Insert
D) First Rounders Insert
E) Award Winners Insert
F) Flair Hot Numbers Insert
G) Flair Scoring Power Insert
H) Achievement Awards Insert
I) Flair Wave Of The Future Insert
J) Second Year Standouts Insert
5) 1995 Ultra Set
A) Stars Insert
B) TD Kings Insert
C) Ultrabilities Insert
D) Overdrive Insert
E) Rising Stars Insert
F) Magna Force Insert
G) First Rounders Insert
H) Award Winners Insert
I) Achievements Insert
J) All-Rookie Team Insert
K) Second Year Standouts Insert
L) All-Rookie Team Hot-Pack Insert
6) 1996 Ultra Set
A) Rookies Insert
B) Pulsating Insert
C) Sledgehammer Insert
D) Mr. Momentum Insert
E) All-Rookie Die Cuts Insert
7) 1997 Ultra Set
A) Reebok Insert
B) Rookies Insert
C) Blitzkrieg Insert
D) Main Event Insert
E) Specialists Insert
F) Rising Stars Insert
G) Talent Show Insert
H) Sunday School Insert
I) First Rounders Insert
J) Comeback Kids Insert
K) Play Of The Game Insert
L) Ultra Specialists Insert
M) Stars Insert - Incomplete ( 2 / 10 )
N) Starring Role Insert - Incomplete ( 9 / 10 )
8) 1998 Ultra Set
A) Shots Insert
B) Top 30 Insert
C) TD Kings Insert
D) Rush Hour Insert
E) Damage, Inc. Insert
F) Sensational Sixty Insert
G) Caught in the Draft Insert
9) 1999 Ultra Set
A) Damage, Inc. Insert
B) Counterparts Insert
C) Over the Top Insert
D) Caught in the Draft Insert
10A) 2000 Ultra Set
10B) 2000 Ultra Gold Medallion Set
A) Fast Lane Insert
B) Won by One Insert
C) Dream Team Insert
D) Head of the Class Insert
E) Instant Three Play Insert
F) Millennium Monsters Insert
Other Fleer Series:
1) 1997 Fleer Goudey I Set
2) 1997 Fleer Goudey II Set
3A) 1998 Fleer Brilliants (Silver) Set
3B) 1998 Fleer Brilliants (Blue) Set
A) Illuminators Insert
B) Shining Stars Insert
4) 1999 Fleer Sports Illustrated Set - Do Not Have
A) Autographs Insert - Incomplete ( 19 / 35 )
5) 1999 Skybox Molten Metal Set
6) 2001 Fleer Authority Set - Do Not Have
A) Autographs Insert - Incomplete ( 2 / 32 )
B) Goal Line Gear Insert - Incomplete ( 10 / 58 )
7) 2001 Fleer Genuine Set
A) Seek and Deploy Insert
B) Names of the Game Insert
C) Pennant Aggression Insert
8) 2001 Fleer Legacy Set - Do Not Have
A) Triple Threads Insert
9) 2001 Fleer Premium Set - Do Not Have
A) Premium Performers Insert
B) Clothes to the Game Insert - Incomplete ( 2 / 21 )
10) 2001 Fleer Hot Prospects Set - Do Not Have
A) Honor Guard Insert
B) TD Fever Insert
C) Pigskin Prospects Jerseys Insert
11) 2001 Fleer Game Time Set
A) Eleven Up Insert
B) Uniformity Insert - Incomplete ( 1 / 35 )
