Is this 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson Marlboro card mislabeled?

mmync · August 6, 2008 2:50PM

I sent in 2 of the 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson Marlboro cards, and they both where labeled "AD PARTIALLY OBSCURED" I agree with that designation for the 2nd card, but I feel the 3rd card should have been labeled as a "Full Marlboro AD" variation.

I only sent in the bottom 2 cards, but I provided the top "Fully Obscured" variation to use as a reference. Not sure which one they graded a 10, but I would guess is was the 2nd card and not the 3rd.

15416005 MINT 9 1989 FLEER 381 RANDY JOHNSON AD PARTIALLY OBSCURED Card US
15416006 GEM MINT 10 1989 FLEER 381 RANDY JOHNSON AD PARTIALLY OBSCURED Card US

swartz1 · August 6, 2008 8:58PM

there are so many of those variations - I think they got it right - becuase unless it is the version that is clear as day - it must be "partially obscured"...

...I hope that second one isnt the 10 - there looks to be some schmootz to the right of the N in Johnson...

TNTonPMS · August 6, 2008 10:52PM

lsutigers1973 · August 6, 2008 11:26PM

How did you get a 10 with that circle drawn on the front?

Ironmanfan · August 6, 2008 11:37PM

I miss the Vet

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 6, 2008 11:54PM

There is one where the Marlboro is clearer from what I've heard. I think I've seen it along the way. I used to own a "partially obscured" in a PSA holder that was like the 3rd one you have.

I know of-

full black (1st)
Black Box (2nd one) unsure what others call it. I used to call it box in ad.
green tint
red/burgandy tint
full visable

And there's more than that !

mmync · August 7, 2008 2:57AM

I'll have to post some scans when I get the cards back. I scanned these along time ago while they where in sleeves and top loaders on an all in 1 scanner.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 7, 2008 3:07AM

Here's a few versions-

mmync · August 7, 2008 3:15AM

Here are some others that I had laying around. To me, the top middle card looks like an obvious "completely blacked out", but the others don't look as blacked out.

CDsNuts · August 7, 2008 3:19AM

Do any of them glow in the dark?

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 7, 2008 3:36AM

Yeah the one is completely blocked out and the others have a darker box in the ad.

Aknot · August 7, 2008 3:47AM

Now im not big into baseball but I would say the one in the lower left corner is blacked out.... totally.....

mmync · August 7, 2008 4:33AM

<< Do any of them glow in the dark? >>

Sorry Richard Simmons but you and your World Series of Poker bracelets are the only things that glow in the dark!!

msassin · August 7, 2008 5:14AM

Here is the question I always wanted to know.

How did this card go for almost 15 years before anyone knew/cared about the varieties of this Johnson rookie?

1989 was an era where errors/variations were still very popular with collectors.

Aknot · August 7, 2008 5:19AM

<< Here is the question I always wanted to know.

How did this card go for almost 15 years before anyone knew/cared about the varieties of this Johnson rookie?

1989 was an era where errors/variations were still very popular with collectors. >>

Actually this card/topic pops up every so often. I remember back in 04 I think we had some discussions/questions over it. There was a nice article somewhere about it, the variations and history. I will see if I can dig it up.

msassin · August 7, 2008 5:21AM

<< 

<< Here is the question I always wanted to know.

How did this card go for almost 15 years before anyone knew/cared about the varieties of this Johnson rookie?

1989 was an era where errors/variations were still very popular with collectors. >>

Actually this card/topic pops up every so often. I remember back in 04 I think we had some discussions/questions over it. There was a nice article somewhere about it, the variations and history. I will see if I can dig it up. >>

I am saying that nobody talked about it when it came out, and to the best of my knowledge - no one ever talked about it in the 90's either.

CDsNuts · August 7, 2008 5:55AM

Sorry Richard Simmons but you and your World Series of Poker bracelets are the only things that glow in the dark!!

None of that even makes any sense. You should leave cracking wise to the professionals.

mkg809 · August 7, 2008 6:36AM

Smoke em if ya got em.

BobaFett72 · August 7, 2008 9:03AM

Lee, did you go back to work at the Springfield Nuclear power plant again?? or was it the glow in the dark condoms that are showing...

billwaltonsbeard · August 7, 2008 9:18AM

I cant believe that no one has mentioned the fact that Randy Johnson's mullett was apparently cut out of the pic on this card!! This is a very hot topic in the mullett community as he has always been one of their most famous representatives.

Are there different versions of the "mullett obscured"? No Mullett, baby mullett, super cool late 80s Camaro Mullett.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 7, 2008 9:32AM

Here, I stole this- Props to : ebay user name - evolb-half. He might still have his E/V group on ebay.

1. The first printing of the card shows a red and white Marlboro billboard, complete with Marlboro man, behind Randy's left ear in the background.

2. The second printing still has the entire billboard visible, but dark, reddish shading/shadowing covers Marlboro and the red and white of the sign. Very noticable next to the first printing. Entire sign is still COMPLETELY visible despite shading.

3. The next version still has the sign visible, but there's a black line through the middle of the word Marlboro with the tops of all letters in Marlboro still clearly visible.(you can still tell the sign says Marlboro)

4. This version still shows the red and white of the sign, but there is a black blob where the word Marlboro once was, no longer showing tops of letters.

5. The Marlboro sign is completely gone, but a black rectangle, exactly in the shape of the Marlboro billboard, CLEARLY sticks out from the rest of the black background.

6. The most common "corrected" version. There is absolutely no trace of the Marlboro sign ever being there at all.

Estil · August 7, 2008 9:00PM

Can someone show me an example of the first varation, where the ad is most clearly visible? My 1989 Fleer set was from a retail factory set so I doubt I have that variation. I did pay $5 extra at the time to get the Bill Ripken FF card; no 1989 Fleer set is complete without it, wouldn't you agree?

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 7, 2008 11:04PM

Yes, I agree.

I dont have a pic of the 1st one though.

Your version will be the corrected as they made the factory sets at the end of the run.

Estil · August 7, 2008 11:05PM

I figured as much. Maybe someone here has a spare copy for my set perhaps.

MeteoriteGuy · August 7, 2008 11:30PM

<< Here, I stole this- Props to : ebay user name - evolb-half. He might still have his E/V group on ebay.

1. The first printing of the card shows a red and white Marlboro billboard, complete with Marlboro man, behind Randy's left ear in the background.

2. The second printing still has the entire billboard visible, but dark, reddish shading/shadowing covers Marlboro and the red and white of the sign. Very noticable next to the first printing. Entire sign is still COMPLETELY visible despite shading.

3. The next version still has the sign visible, but there's a black line through the middle of the word Marlboro with the tops of all letters in Marlboro still clearly visible.(you can still tell the sign says Marlboro)

4. This version still shows the red and white of the sign, but there is a black blob where the word Marlboro once was, no longer showing tops of letters.

5. The Marlboro sign is completely gone, but a black rectangle, exactly in the shape of the Marlboro billboard, CLEARLY sticks out from the rest of the black background.

6. The most common "corrected" version. There is absolutely no trace of the Marlboro sign ever being there at all. >>

Thanks for passing the list along.

Aknot · August 7, 2008 11:59PM

<< Can someone show me an example of the first varation, where the ad is most clearly visible? My 1989 Fleer set was from a retail factory set so I doubt I have that variation. I did pay $5 extra at the time to get the Bill Ripken FF card; no 1989 Fleer set is complete without it, wouldn't you agree? >>

Hate being stumped by something that should be easy to find......... This is the best I could do.... for now...

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · August 8, 2008 2:19AM

^^ Thats actually another verion. Not the original error, from what it looks like. I used to have that one and when enlarged the Marlboro is crossed out/obstructed with red if I remember correctly. I wish I kept the info on this error I have come across. If I remember corretly there have been 8 different ones found.

I have 2 error/variation books and will see what is in there this weekend and post any pertinant sp? info.

MeteoriteGuy- No problem. Glad to help.

Aknot · August 8, 2008 2:46AM

Found it... I dont know the Marlboro seems more... rounder....

Is this 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson Marlboro card mislabeled?

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