1992 Fleer Update vs 1992 Bowman Mike Piazza?

digicat

The 1992 Fleer Update Piazza's been the key rookie card for Piazza for a long time, but in the past couple of years, I've noticed that, at least in PSA 10, the 1992 Fleer Update has fallen and the 1992 Bowman has risen in price.

A few years ago, a 1992 Bowman Piazza PSA 10 would cost you around $30-35. A 1992 Fleer Update Piazza would cost you $120.

Looking at some past auctions recently, 1992 Bowman Piazza PSA 10s are going for around $50-55, while a 1992 Fleer Piazza PSA 10 went for $66.99.


Is this a retroactive "Topps Superiority" trend or something? I've noticed this too with Barry Bonds' 1986 cards as well. A few years ago, the 1986 Fleer Update Bonds was KEY, but over the past few years, the 1986 Topps card has wiggled up as the more expensive of his non-tiffay rookie cards in PSA 10.

prthd

I would prefer to have the Fleer Update. Lower print run by far and a nicer looking card in my opinion.

vladguerrero

I've never been a fan of updated sets (although at least these were pack issued). I think the Bowman brand definitely has a lot to do with it, I've always liked both brands personally. The Fleer is surely more rare but the Bowman set is a modern classic... also a decent registry. The Bowman has like 575 cards and the 132 card fleer set has more rookies! % wise a PSA 10 Bowman is more difficult (about 17% 10's fleer, 12.% Bowman). I actually prefer the Bowman.

hammered

Actually, his Rookie Phenoms card is tougher than all of them.
A nice card, really tough black borders, and from his rookie year.

If I had a skin in the Piazza game, I'd be sure to locate a PSA 9 or 10

VitoCo1972

your comment about retroactive Topps superiority seems to fit the bill here and is a very interesting point to consider in all 81-99 thinking for the future.

lwehlers

i own both the fleer and bowman in psa 9 grade. they are both great looking cards.

ThoseBackPages

If Topps ever goes away, we're all in trouble.

Continuity and familiarity are huge in this "hobby" of ours, imo

MBMiller25

Interesting data....I personally prefer the Fleer.

vladguerrero

I looked for the box information (how many cards per pack, packs per box) as the beckett website indicated the Fleer Update cards came in packs but it looks like they were only sold in sets as far as I can tell? You guys really think the Fleer image is better?

vladguerrero

ThoseBackPages

those of us that were around in 1992 remember that the Fleer Update Set was fairly hard to obtain (a combination of less made and nobody caring about Fleer) and nobody gave much of a damn about Bowman (which certainly wasnt hard to obtain)

sportscardtheory

I would take the Fleer Update every day of the week if it's around the same price. There's probably 500,000+ more Bowmans in existence than the Fleer Updates.

EAsports

<< <i>If Topps ever goes away, we're all in trouble.

Continuity and familiarity are huge in this "hobby" of ours, imo >>



That's a hell of a point.

digicat

<< <i>If Topps ever goes away, we're all in trouble.

Continuity and familiarity are huge in this "hobby" of ours, imo >>




That brings up an interesting question: Is the popularity of old Topps cards dependent on the survival of the modern brand today?


The old Goudey Gum Company closed it's doors in 1962, but their old cards are still integral parts of the hobby.