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Donruss: Preferred

My Donruss: Preferred Collection (Updated December 24th, 2022)

1997 Donruss Perferred: “Steve McNair” Gold #22

Donruss continued its superb designs when it added the Preferred title in 1997. I really enjoyed the 1997 Donruss Preferred set and I particularly liked the 4-tier layout of the set; Bronze, Gold, Silver, and Platinum cards with 4 different levels of odds. The card design was unique with its micro-etched look.  it was a challenging set to put together, but not impossible, (See the 1997 Donruss Preferred "Steve McNair" Gold #22 top left). 

The 1997 Donruss Preferred title also had so very nice Insert sets in its initial release. A few of them were the "Chain Reaction" insert which paired 2 players from select teams, (See the 1997 Donruss Preferred "Terrell Davis" Chain Reaction #5B top right). And I have no idea why, but I had the hardest time tracking down card #10A of Kordell Stewart. It took me years to find that card. Another set was the "Stare Masters" insert set, (See the 1997 Donruss Preferred "Chris Martin" Stare Masters #8 mid-left). 

 I really liked both of these sets.  One more card that was from this set was the "Precious Metals" set. Each card carried 1 oz. of metal in it. I do not own any cards from this set so you won't see any scans on my page, but still what a one-of-a-kind

1996 Donruss: “Keyshawn Johnson” Elite #14

1997 Donruss Preferred: “Chris Martin” Stare Masters #22

Donruss did return in '99, with a set named Donruss Preferred QBC, (the acronym for Quarterback Club), I have no idea why they added the acronym. The '99 release had a treasure trove of insert sets that year. A total of 9 insert sets accompanied a 120-card base/rookie set. The insert sets that year included a 15-card autograph set and a memorabilia set, both were firsts for the Donruss Preferred title. The '99 Preferred Materials memorabilia set is one of my favorite Donruss memorabilia sets, (See the 1999 Donruss Preferred “Terrell Davis” Preferred Materials #15 right). 

card. What a great way to come into the hobby? Great work Donruss on your inaugural 1997 Donruss Preferred series. For some unknown reason, Donruss did not carry the 1997 success into a product in 1998. There was not a release that year.

1999 Donruss Perferred: “Brett Favre” Chain Reaction #3A

Some of the non-memorabilia insert sets were very nice too. Check out the Chain Reaction insert set left. Donruss carried the Chain Reaction insert set over from its 1997 release, (See the 1999 Donruss Preferred "Brett Favre" Chain Reaction #3A left.) With releases such as this and the Preferred Materials set, it was a good sign that Donruss Preferred was going to be in the market for a long time.

The 2000 Donruss Preferred set was another top-notch release. The set is a lousy 103 cards and only books for $25, currently (As of October 2016). But you never can find it complete. I still do not own a single card from that set because they are too hard to find. The Preferred Materials memorabilia insert set makes another appearance and just like in '99 release, it was excellent, (See the 2000 Donruss Preferred "Warren Moon" Preferred 

1999 Donruss Preferred: “Terrell Davis” Preferred Materials #15

2000 Donruss Preferred: “Keyshawn Johnson” Pen Pals #PP-19

2000 Donruss Perferred: “Peyton Manning” QB Challenge Materials #CM15

 Materials #PM-13 below). In 2000 though, Donruss Preferred added another insert memorabilia insert set. This one called, QB Challenge Materials. It featured memorabilia from the QB Challenge earier that year. It also had a hobby first - Even Worn Towels, (See the 2000 Donruss Preferred "Peyton Manning" QB Challenge Materials #CM15 below left). Donruss also increased the size of their Autograph set from 15 in 1999 to a whopping 96 cards in 2000. This new autograph insert set, called Pen Pals, was a perfect addition to the Preferred Materials cards, (See the 2000 Donruss Preferred "Keyshawn Johnson" Pen Pals #PP-19 right).

In closing, the Donruss Preferred title is one of my favorites. I really like the memorabilia sets and although, the base/rookie card sets are small, (something I don't like), the cards are high quality. The bad news is that Donruss ceased the Preferred title in 2000 so the 2000 release was it's last. I have no idea why they terminated it, but it still remains one of my all-time favorites titles.

I have complete sets:

 

 

Donruss Preferred Series:

1) 1997 Donruss Preferred Set

    A) Staremasters Insert

    B) Double Wide Tins Insert

    C) Chain Reaction Insert

2) 1998 Donruss Preferred Set - Does Not Exist

3) 1999 Donruss Preferred QBC Set

    A) Chain Reaction Insert

    B) Hard Hats Insert

    C) Passing Grade Insert

    D) Preferred Materials Insert

    E) National Treasures Insert

    F) Staremasters Insert

    F) X-potential Power Insert

4) 2000 Donruss Preferred Set - Do Not Have

    A) Preferred Materials Insert - Incomplete ( 42 / 44 )

    B) QB Challenge Materials Insert

    C) Pen Pals Insert - Incomplete ( 1 / 96 )

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2000 Donruss Preferred: “Warren Moon” Preferred Materials #PM-13

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