Pro Line Autographs Question: 1991-1997

CamaroDMD

As a child in the 1990s, I grew up in that era of crazy over production. Autographed inserts...at the time, were sort of the only relief from these boxes of virtually worthless cards. I remember as a kid, really liking Pro Line cards because they had such big auto sets. In recent years, I have read that many of these sets were plagued with autopens and other issues...in fact, some of the 1995 Pro Line issues even have "AP" after the numbering on the card (I assume that means autopen).

Despite all this, I have always wanted to put together some of these sets. Outside of the 1992 Pro Line Profiles set (which I don't care for since there are 9 different autos of some players)...I really like these old cards. I know the 1991 and 1992 Portaits auto sets can be major challenges. It seems like the 1993-97 sets aren't so bad.

Does anyone know the details of these sets? Are they as full of autopens as the internet has made it seem? Any advice for someone who has a handful from each set but would like to consider working on a set?

lawnmowerman

Not sure about other years but the 1994 set is very attainable with the exception of one card. That card being the Rod Bernstine auto. As far as auto pens go, I've never seen one on a Pro Line card especially on the 1994 issue.
Check the link in my sigline for the 1994 set and my ttm addictions.

CDsNuts

Be careful, there is/was a counterfeiter that duplicated the embossed stamp and 'signed' cards.

CamaroDMD

I have heard that...but my understanding is those cards had both an embossed stamp and had the card number deleted. So, if it is stamped and has a card number...then it's fake.

CamaroDMD

<< <i>Not sure about other years but the 1994 set is very attainable with the exception of one card. That card being the Rod Bernstine auto. As far as auto pens go, I've never seen one on a Pro Line card especially on the 1994 issue.
Check the link in my sigline for the 1994 set and my ttm addictions. >>



I have heard that the Bernstine auto is nearly impossible to find. Is the print run of 1010 accurate? If so, why would it be so hard to track down? I have the 1993 Pro Line auto but like many others, I have never seen the 1994.

byronscott4ever

I believe the 1991s were hard to get. I think the big Beckett listed suspected auto pens

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>Not sure about other years but the 1994 set is very attainable with the exception of one card. That card being the Rod Bernstine auto. As far as auto pens go, I've never seen one on a Pro Line card especially on the 1994 issue.
Check the link in my sigline for the 1994 set and my ttm addictions. >>



I have heard that the Bernstine auto is nearly impossible to find. Is the print run of 1010 accurate? >>



I would have to say no. Something probably happened during production and he possibly only signed a small amount of cards. That's the only logical assumption.

I have only seen three copies in all my time trying to complete this set.

CamaroDMD

<< <i>I believe the 1991s were hard to get. I think the big Beckett listed suspected auto pens >>


Here is what I learned from the Beckett website recently:

#127 Jim Kelly has an autopen version and a real version (referred to on the site as #127A and #127B)
#128 Jack Kemp is an autopen

Those are the only two that they list for the 1991 set. I don't know if there are other suspected examples from that set or not.

I do know that several of the 1995 autographed cards are interesting numbering. For example, there are three different Randy Baldwin serial numbers: /1435, /2405AP, and /760AP. I don't know what the significance of the "AP" is. Are they saying that cards with the "AP" are actually autopens and the cards that don't have that are real? It seems odd...but I don't have any idea what AP means.