Home Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Fleer Pro Vision Thread

2

Comments

  • Picked up a few other items recently and wanted to show 'em. This is an uncut sheet portion of the 1991 Basketball. It is actually an error sheet as the back print does not match the front. Uncut sheets are hard to come by, so I was happy to pick this up.

    image


    Below is a really special set that I picked up. I have seen a few of these sold individually every now and then over the years, but they are pretty rare. They are blank-back proofs signed by Pro Vision artist Terry Smith (I didn't post the whole set). The entire 1991 Baseball black-border proof set showed up on eBay a few weeks ago and I about tipped over in my chair. I was able to reach a deal with the seller and couldn't be happier.

    I've never seen examples of most of these. I missed out on the Kirby Puckett, but got the remaining 11 players. It was a rare opportunity and I jumped on it. The same seller also had 9 of the 10 1991 Football signed proofs and I picked those up too. They set me back a bit in the pocket, but it was well worth it. My guess is a few hundred of each exist.


    image

    image


    After my last PSA sub. and recent purchases, I wanted to put all my Terry Smith-specific Pro Vision items together and really look at my collection as a whole. It has really come a long way and I hope to keep adding to it. Collections look a lot bigger when you lay them all out!!


    image
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RookieWaxRookieWax Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭
    Those Fleer inserts are literally works of art. That was an exciting time to be a collector as there was a lot of innovative product hitting the market. It added an extra thrill to opening a pack unlike anything we had experienced to that point.
  • Those Fleer inserts are literally works of art.

    Exactly, that about sums it up. There had been sets in the past that had "artwork subsets" and inserts, but these IMO are the best to come out of that time. Terry Smith was the perfect artist bring in because he does such a good job of blending fantasy with fantastic detail to his work.
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • Picked this one up a few weeks ago. After the POP 1 PSA 10 went for over $1000, I was very happy to get a Mint 9 for about 30 bucks.

    image

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Came across a seller that had some Pro Vision error cards from the 1991 Football set. The 1991 Fleer All Pro Inserts were printed on the same sheets as the Pro Vision set, so, Fleer had some screw-ups on a few print runs. The back of the sheet was basically printed upside down, thus we end up with Pro Vision fronts and All Pro backs and vice versa. I've never been a big error card collector, but this is an obvious exception. The images on the Pro Vision fronts are pretty blurred.

    I found a blank front 1991 Baseball Bo Jackson on eBay, but got outbid. Hadn't seen one of those before.

    image

    image

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • dtkk49adtkk49a Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭
    I have many many Jerry Rice cards but I also never owned a 1991 Fleer Ultra update. Great looking card.
    Follow me - Cards_and_Coins on Instagram



    They call me "Pack the Ripper"
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    About a month ago, I sent a letter to Terry Smith to thank and commend him for his contributions to the card hobby. I also sent him pictures of my whole collection and told him how much I enjoy collecting his work. I didn't ask for anything in return and just felt good about writing to him. Today, I received a box from him in the mail and couldn't believe it. I was hoping he would at least write back a letter to me and acknowledge that he got what I sent him. I got something WAY better than that.

    I opened the box to find items that I had NEVER seen before. Almost everything he sent me was autographed and personalized to me. I had to sit down when I saw it.

    This is an uncut sheet of 1993 DiamondMarks. It is a complete set of 8 but this also includes a Rickey Henderson and Mark McGwire card that never made it into the final set. This is my favorite. It's signed and personalized in the lower right corner.

    image



    This is a set that I've never seen before. I've seen the images before, but not in "card" form. After research, I found these cards were made to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Forum in LA. The first image is an uncut sheet and it's signed/personalized. The second image is individual cards, all signed.

    image

    image



    These booklets were a REAL treat to get. Never have seen them either. I have a book of illustrations, but it is not any of these 3. I opened to a page of each:

    image

    image

    image

    image



    This is a pre-production strip from the 1992 Fleer Football set. It's signed under the Emmitt Smith Pro Vision.

    image


    This is one of those days in collecting when everything comes together. I am eternally grateful to Mr. Smith for what he did. It just makes my collection 100 times more special. Thanks for looking!!!



    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • wow....that is awesome!
  • digicatdigicat Posts: 8,551 ✭✭
    Barry Bonds, "The Juice"? They were on to him. image

    image
    My Giants collection want list

    WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
  • Wow!! that was so cool of Terry Smith to send all those to you. I love the uncut Diamond Marks sheet. What a great surprise
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Really enjoyed reading this thread. Good luck in your quest.
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Thanks guys, it's been a great experience. Not sure how I'm gonna top yesterday image
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • CNoteCNote Posts: 2,070
    That. Is. AWESOME!!
  • AricAric Posts: 757 ✭✭
    That is freaking amazing. What a fantastic gesture on Smith's part. Your collection has really come together nicely and you did it all in under a year. Well done!
  • While randomly going through Mark McGwire autographs on eBay recently...............I stumble across this............

    image[/URL]




    I put the regular issue 1991 Fleer Pro Vision McGwire next to it for size comparison.

    Never seen it before and had no clue it even existed. I was really excited to see it and I haven't had a "moment" with this collection in a while. It is a 11 x 14 enlarged version of the Barry Colla/Terry Smith Postcard. It is signed by both Mark McGwire and Terry Smith in the lower left hand corner. The signatures are very faded and it was obviously exposed to sunlight for several years.

    On the back of the frame, there is a COA from Jerry Walker "Fun-raising". It is dated 1998 and appears to have been a fundraising drive after McGwire broke Maris' record that year. Unfortunately, there was a McGwire card in a toploader that was up against the print. So, it is discolored in the upper right hand corner.

    I sent Terry Smith a message to verify the authenticity and try to get a correct backstory on this. I haven't heard back yet.

    image[/URL]


    image[/URL]


    IMG]http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj485/Rudedawg7/McGwireLithograph004_zpsb40bc301.jpg[/IMG][/URL]




    Thanks for lookin!!!

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • Man that is a sweet find. Sucks about the front upper corner.
    I'm still looking for a good example of that McGwire postcard.
    I can't wait to hear back from terry for a back story about it. Let us know.
  • vladguerrerovladguerrero Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭
    neato
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This might be one of my favorite threads on the board, thanks for adding to it. I hope you keep on it.
  • Thanks for the kind words Reg and Vlad!! Just when I think the well is running dry, something else comes up.

    BadMav, I've been watching every day for the past year and still haven't seen another 3 x 5 McGwire postcard come up. I'll get ya one though image

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • PorkinsPorkins Posts: 611 ✭✭✭
    I hadn't looked at it in a while, but this is a really cool thread. I loved these cards as a kid.

    Really cool McGwire item, also very curious on the background.
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭✭
    Anyone here got a set of 1993 Fleer baseball Pro-Visions (six card set) looking for a good home? It's driving me crazy that it's the last insert set I need to finish my entire run of Fleer baseball insert sets from 1986-96 (not counting 1996 update at the moment though). And I think I also would like the 91-92 Fleer Provisions basketball set too if anyone has one.
    WISHLIST
    D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
    Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
    74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
    73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
    95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
  • I received a response from Terry a few minutes ago.


    Barry Colla (Mother's Cookies baseball card photographer) produced the mini lithos around the same time he produced the Diamond Marks collectible bookmarks. He was doing work for the Oakland A's at the time and asked me to sign some of the 11 x 14 pieces for him to distribute with the A's. I would have to see the autograph to tell you if it was mine or not... but I did sign some prints back then that Barry sold.

    As for Mark signing them... I know Barry had him sign some when Mark made an appearance at a sports memorabilia shop. Barry was involved with a number of shops, shows and promoters in the Bay Area back then. I wasn't present when Mark signed..., but Barry Colla can probably confirm Mark's auto.
    Hope that info helps

    Terry




    He was quick to get back to me and very cordial. I asked if other large 11 x 14 prints out there and will see what he says. I would assume there may be a few out there, possibly Nolan Ryan and Michael Jordan. I certainly hope so!!!
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • This came in the mail yesterday. It's still in the original wrapping and I didn't open it. I'm sure it only has the 12-card set inside and nothing else. Kinda cool and I definitely would have paid the $6.95 back in the day!


    image[/URL]



    image[/URL]

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • Wow that's cool. I've never seen that before. Did you find it on eBay?
  • Yeah, it was on eBay. I had not seen it before either. I'm not familiar with the 3rd party that packaged it.
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • Just had to vent here a little.

    I have been waiting and searching three years for an uncut 1991 baseball sheet and finally found one on eBay in an auction setting. I had contemplated asking the seller if he would just end it and send me a Paypal invoice for a fair price offer. I didn't and put in a $70 bid. I went to check on it and got outbid and it was too late. To put it lightly, I was royally pi$$$ed. It was the one thing I really wanted in my collection for the last few years. I just couldn't see throwing out $100 or more for it.

    Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait another three years image

    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Haven't updated in a while, but haven't stopped picking things up. My main focus has been autos during the last several months. I've gotten lucky the last month or so and some PSA/DNA examples have come up. I've subbed my own autos, but like not having to do it. I've got quite a few raw autos as well. Some may or may not be good, but I try to pick them up if they sell low enough.

    First, got this last week. I believe it is just a blank back printing error, but it's cool nonetheless. Most of the blank backs that Terry Smith signs are sold as "proofs" There isn't much difference between these, from what I can see. Anyway...............

    image[/URL]




    Here are some PSA/DNA's and a JSA example:

    image[/URL]



    I subbed three of these on my own and it has a special one from Will Clark addressed to me personally image I think the Magic looks good to pass authentication


    image[/URL]



    These are all raw and I think they will pass:

    image[/URL]


    A few more, the Marino is raw but has a JSA sticker.

    image[/URL]


    These, I'm not so sure on for authenticity but I think a few would pass:

    image[/URL]


    These are some uncut strips from the 1991 Football set. The All Pro cards from that year were printed along with the Pro Visions because of having the same border coloring:


    image[/URL]


    Last, but certainly not least............I picked this up recently and it is one of my favorite pickups. I've only seen a few of these come up and this one I got for a pretty good deal. It is actually an error sheet, as the backs were printed upside down. I've lost out on a couple of 1991 Baseball black bordered uncut sheets in the last year and they've each went for $75.00 - $100.00.

    image[/URL]


    Just a few extras that I've found surfin' the net. This is Terry Smith painting on the Michael Jordan print and also a link to some items he sent to a Frank Thomas collector.

    image[/URL]


    Frank Thomas Terry Smith items




    As always, thanks to anyone who is lookin'!!!!!!!
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've always loved this thread. Thanks for the update and those are some sweet autos!
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    I'm a big TS fan, and love it all. That's my Frank Thomas website!
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • ajwajw Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
    Awesome.

    I've seen some of those blank-backed, signed copies before. I don't think I have a Will Clark, but I'd like to add one to my collection. Any idea what it would go for?
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    I've only seen one Will Clark come up over the last few years, which is the one I have. I think it could be had for $10.00-$20.00 if another comes up. There were a few stray ones of Ruben Sierra and Mike Singletary a few years ago that didn't get sold at $5.00. It's really a crapshoot because they are relatively unknown. I'd love to provide one to you, but I'm still trying to complete my set. I don't have the Kirby Puckett or the Joe Montana because their collectors will swallow anything at about any price. I think those sold for $50-$75 each.

    If I see a Will come up, I will certainly be in touch.
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭


    << <i>I'm a big TS fan, and love it all. That's my Frank Thomas website! >>




    HAHAHA!! That's awesome!! I had no idea. The page you devoted to it is spectacular and I was really glad to see how gracious Terry is with other collectors.




    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • ajwajw Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I've only seen one Will Clark come up over the last few years, which is the one I have. ...

    If I see a Will come up, I will certainly be in touch. >>



    That'd be awesome. Thanks! I wonder if maybe I do have one somewhere. I know I've seen the image, but I'm not sure where. I'll need to dig through my boxes, as it's possible I picked it up in a lot and didn't really know what it was.
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    I'd never seen this thread before but it's awesome!
  • I love when this thread updates and especially appreciate the scans. Thanks!
    Baseball is my Pastime, Football is my Passion
  • CNoteCNote Posts: 2,070


    << <i>I love when this thread updates and especially appreciate the scans. Thanks! >>



    Ditto. Those are still some sharp (design) lookin' cards 20 years later
  • thehallmarkthehallmark Posts: 1,332 ✭✭✭
    I'm normally good at finding PSA 10 junk from this era, but these 1991 FB Pro Visions are REALLY tough!! I can already tell chasing this set in PSA 10 is going to be a very long term project.

    If anyone out there has PSA 10s for sale, or great raw cards for sale, or even just sympathy...feel free to get in touch.

    thx,D
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Thanks to all you guys for the good words.

    Hallmark- You have my sympathy, first image About the only way to get 10's in the 1991 Football or Baseball is to buy and bust boxes for submission. The Football PV's are even tougher because each box has half the inserts because they split the production sheets with the All Pro cards that year. The Football PV's are quite a bit sharper out of the packs than the Baseball examples, though. The only good aspect of busting boxes is the low price and abundance of them.
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    image

    Why is Jim Kelly wearing a belt filled with Vienna Sausages?

    image

    Great thread btw. I haven't seen some these before.
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    A couple new autos within the last week.

    The Cunningham was a TTM signature. I sent a donation to his church along with a short letter. Only took about two months for a response. TTM's are one of my favorite things to do with this collection. There aren't many that I can do it with, but I try. I am still waiting for a TTM from John Olerud. I sent him his 1993 Colla DiamondMarks card at the same time as I sent Cunningham's. Hope to get it back soon.


    image[/URL]
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>image

    Why is Jim Kelly wearing a belt filled with Vienna Sausages?

    image

    Great thread btw. I haven't seen some these before. >>



    More importantly, when did Jimmy Johnson switch from football to basketball coaching?
    WISHLIST
    D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
    Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
    74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
    73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
    95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Sent out a 1993 Diamond Marks card to John Olerud back in January after seeing he was a really good TTM'er. Got this back today. Great looking auto and it's my first Diamond Marks autograph.

    image[/URL]
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Sweet looking card and signature. I remember when his cards were on fire! 1990 Score! I was 13 or 14 and I was already planning my retirement with every John Olerud, Frank Thomas and Ben McDonald RC I busted from packs.
    Steve
  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 9,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I can remember his 90 Leaf selling in the $5-$8 range. He always wore a hard helmet when he played in the field. Something about a head injury at some point in his career.
    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>image

    Why is Jim Kelly wearing a belt filled with Vienna Sausages?

    image

    Great thread btw. I haven't seen some these before. >>



    More importantly, when did Jimmy Johnson switch from football to basketball coaching? >>



    That Machine Gun Kelly card scores a 10/10 on the rules scale.
  • Slow and steady the last few months for new items. The best pickup was probably the Puckett auto. I wasn't sure if I would EVER get this card because hardcore Puckett collectors will pay about anything for his stuff. I've lost out on three other raw Pro Vision autos of his with $90-$100 bids. This one I was able to get for about $40. It looks good, hopefully it comes back legit from PSA one day.

    The other minor surprise was three card uncut sheet with Gooden in the middle. I had never seen it before. The uncut strips were a cheap little pick-up as well.

    The biggest crusher recently was this.............

    McGwire Diamond Marks

    The only other time I've seen this card is in the uncut Diamond Marks sheet that I have. I put in a $45 bid and felt confident I was safe, but it was not to be. The back states it is 1 of only 100 of these made/cut. Really disappointed I didn't get it, but at least I know they are out there. There should technically be a Rickey Henderson Diamond Marks single out there like this McGwire, as there is one on my uncut sheet. But, I've never seen one come up.

    image[/URL]

    image[/URL]

    image[/URL]

    image[/URL]

    image[/URL]
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Been a while since I've updated. Been mostly working on signatures. The Clemens was a nice find and it certainly cost me. I've only seen one raw signature come up in almost 5 years. I'm getting close to completing the 1991 Baseball Autographed Set.

    image[/URL]


    I am happy to say, though, that I consider this a completed autograph run for the 1992 Baseball Set. I just picked up the Frank Thomas in the last two weeks. Even though the Griffey isn't PSA/DNA yet, I think it looks legit. Really thrilled with this one coming together.

    image[/URL]


    To round it out, these are just a few oddball recent pick-ups. The Justice Colla Bookmark is nicer than my PSA example.

    image[/URL]
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭✭
    What exactly is that 2 piece Thomas item? I have always liked the Provisions myself.
    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    Good question. Another member on the board advised me it was probably a custom made piece by an individual. The odd thing is that the size of the image doesn't fit any existing card/proof/image of Terry Smith's work. Either way, I thought it was good to pick it up.
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
  • RudedawgRudedawg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    VERY excited to have picked up this uncut sheet. Only have seen one photo of it in 5 years of searching the Internet. Have NEVER seen it come up for sale. I had lost out on an uncut sheet of the black border 1991 baseball set a few weeks earlier and was pretty bummed about it. The sale price on that sheet was way higher than I anticipated. However, this took away the sting of that!! It have proven much more difficult to find than the black border sheet, so eventually I will have them both. Now I just need to find a 1991 Football Sheet.

    The other two items are oddballs that I found out about after doing some digging through Terry Smith Creations' site. The "Female" Montana Pro Vision was kind of a funny sight. It could certainly pass for his wife, but I'm not sure if that's what it was modeled for or not. The Ben Grieve portrait is on the 1999 Oakland A's Information Guide and is a nice portrait. It doesn't show any of the usual "fantasy" aspects of Smith's work, but still looks really good.

    All in all, some really good new stuff added. Smith has done projects for many different venues and clients, so there are other realms I may start searching for.

    image[/URL]


    image[/URL]


    image[/URL]


    image[/URL]
    Currently collecting PSA graded:

    1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
    1952 Topps
Sign In or Register to comment.