What is the story on STAR cards from the 80's/90's?

mouschi · Feb 25, 2015

Growing up in the 80's and 90's, chasing Canseco cards, the STAR cards were always something I was interested in. They were different from the "big 4", and , along with many others were quite intrigued by them. As I am finding now, they made at least 30 sets of Canseco - and many of them came in both gloss & matte version. The thing that is so strange is that the BIG beckett I have (the annual) only recognizes about 2-4 of these sets.

I'd love to hear if anyone has any information or a back story on them!

RStadlerASU22 · Feb 25, 2015

mouschi said:
Growing up in the 80's and 90's, chasing Canseco cards, the STAR cards were always something I was interested in. They were different from the "big 4", and , along with many others were quite intrigued by them. As I am finding now, they made at least 30 sets of Canseco - and many of them came in both gloss & matte version. The thing that is so strange is that the BIG beckett I have (the annual) only recognizes about 2-4 of these sets.

I'd love to hear if anyone has any information or a back story on them!

Good luck finding a good checklist published ! You'll probably have to hit up your Canseco Supercollectors. It's the same thing with Will Clark , only a % are "listed". Between Sets , Glossy Sets , Promos , and Glossy Promos I think I have over 60 different Clark's(countung the sets as 1). And I'm still missing a few (that people know of) , and a few that I have heard of people mentioning as "could/maybe exist". I def wish there was a published list to where I know what exists. I know that doesn't provide much of a back story , other than you may never know when your hunt ends.

Ryan

mouschi · Feb 25, 2015

RStadlerASU22 said:
Good luck finding a good checklist published ! You'll probably have to hit up your Canseco Supercollectors. It's the same thing with Will Clark , only a % are "listed". Between Sets , Glossy Sets , Promos , and Glossy Promos I think I have over 60 different Clark's(countung the sets as 1). And I'm still missing a few (that people know of) , and a few that I have heard of people mentioning as "could/maybe exist". I def wish there was a published list to where I know what exists. I know that doesn't provide much of a back story , other than you may never know when your hunt ends.

Ryan

Thanks for responding Ryan! How is the pricing for you whenever you find them?

RStadlerASU22 · Feb 25, 2015

mouschi said:
Thanks for responding Ryan! How is the pricing for you whenever you find them?

Clark can be a couple bucks for the common stuff , then has some in the $10-30 range , and some that can bring $50-100 and a few that would prob bring more than that (harder promos)

Ryan

Yanks2151 · Feb 25, 2015

I don't have much info either. I do have sets for Mattingly. I remember leaving them I the case because I remember the case being serial numbered. I'm not sure if it was individually numbered or say to 3000. Your making me want to dig them out and take a peek. It's been years.
Kevin

mouschi · Feb 25, 2015

RStadlerASU22 said:
Clark can be a couple bucks for the common stuff , then has some in the $10-30 range , and some that can bring $50-100 and a few that would prob bring more than that (harder promos)

Ryan

holy smokes! do you have any examples or idea of what stuff would be in the $10-30 range and the $50+ range? I had no idea!

RStadlerASU22 · Feb 25, 2015

mouschi said:
holy smokes! do you have any examples or idea of what stuff would be in the $10-30 range and the $50+ range? I had no idea!

It's not really going to be comparable with Canseco and Clark IMO. And I am not sure what sets Clark and Canseco cross in. When I get to a PC tonight , I will post up a list of Clark's, and kinda note IMO some of the tougher ones

Ryan

mouschi · Feb 25, 2015

RStadlerASU22 said:
It's not really going to be comparable with Canseco and Clark IMO. And I am not sure what sets Clark and Canseco cross in. When I get to a PC tonight , I will post up a list of Clark's, and kinda note IMO some of the tougher ones

Ryan

Thanks Ryan! At a minimum, I guess it is good to hear that someone else out there is shelling out money for them at least, lol!

KLARNOLD · Feb 25, 2015

I use to have all the Ken Griffey Jr "Star Co" cards from 1988 to 1989 (45 total different cards). I never did get the 1989 autographed version (46 total cards).
1988 Star Silver Series promo
1988 Star Silver Series 9 card set
1988-89 Star promo
1988-89 Star Purple Ad Card
1988-89 Star Yellow promo
1989 Star White Back 11 card set
1989 Star Yellow Back 11 card set
1989 Star Nova promo
1989 Star Nova 9 card set

mouschi · Feb 25, 2015

KLARNOLD said:
I use to have all the Ken Griffey Jr "Star Co" cards from 1988 to 1989 (45 total different cards). I never did get the 1989 autographed version (46 total cards).
1988 Star Silver Series promo
1988 Star Silver Series 9 card set
1988-89 Star promo
1988-89 Star Purple Ad Card
1988-89 Star Yellow promo
1989 Star White Back 11 card set
1989 Star Yellow Back 11 card set
1989 Star Nova promo
1989 Star Nova 9 card set

were these pricey or were they just typical $2-3 a pop?

olerud363 · Feb 25, 2015

As far as I know Olerud only has two Star cards, from 1992 Star. One is an autographed version that has nothing to distinguish it from the regular card (apart from the auto). From my research there were indeed auto'ed Star cards issued, but there's no way of knowing if the auto is legit or not.

DaClyde · Feb 25, 2015

The Standard Catalog did a much more complete job of listing Star Company sets, but even they didn't catch everything. The Glossy, Silver and Nova sets were supposed to be more limited, and thus cost more when they came out. By 1993, Star was basically done. I don't think they were able to maintain their license due to the expense. I'll dig through my old hobby magazines and see if I can find any stories about their demise. They didn't gain much popularity, beyond their 1980s NBA sets, and were distributed only through hobby shops, limiting their exposure.

RStadlerASU22 · Feb 25, 2015

Here is a list of the Clark's. It doesn't paste as neat from my spreadsheet as I'd like but if you have questions, let me know. The ones in bold are ones I need. I think only one is known, then a cameo I still haven't shelled out for but easily obtainable. Then a few are those that I am not sure of true existence. Some of the notations I have are just the color of the card/set and the Non means the set/promo is not glossy etc.

1986 Canseco Yellow Non Cameo
1986 Canseco Yellow Glossy Cameo
1986 Canseco Green Non Cameo - Sticker
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Non
1988 "Will Series" Set Non w/ Autograph - Sealed
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Non w/ Autograph #330
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Glossy #51 /1000
1988 "Will Series" Green Promo Non
1988 "Will Series" Green Promo Glossy
1989 Ad Card Green Promo Non
1989 Ad Card Green Promo Glossy
1988/1989? Bay Bombers Orange Set Non
1989 Bay Bombers Set Glossy
1989 Bay Bombers Peach / Orange Promo Non
1989 Bay Bombers Peach / Orange Promo Glossy
1989 Bay Bombers Cameo w/ Canseco
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set Non Sealed
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set Glossy
1989 "Black / Green" Purple / Yellow Promo Non
1989 "Black / Green" Purple / Yellow Promo Glossy
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Non
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Glossy #8 /250
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Glossy #56 /250 - Sealed
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Gold Promo Non
1989 Clark / Mitchell Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1988/1989? Gold Series Green Set Non #1000 /1500
1989 Gold Series Black Promo
1989 Nova Series Green / Yellow Set Non?
1989 Nova Series Red / Blue Promo Glossy?
1988/1989 ? Platinum Series Pink Set Glossy
1989 Platinum Series Tan Promo Glossy
1989 Eric Davis Platinum Cameo
1988/1989? Silver Series Orange Set #1331 /2000
1989 Silver Series Black / Grey Promo Non /400
1990 Clark / Grace Purple Set Non
1990 Clark / Grace Orange Promo Non
1990 Clark / Grace Set Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Clark / Grace Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Gold Series Purple Set #1135 /1500
1990 Gold Series Grey Promo Non
1990 Nova Series Orange / Yellow Set Glossy #193 /500
1990 Nova Series Black / Yellow Promo Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Set
1990 "Orange Set" Orange Set Sealed
1990 "Orange Set" Set Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Orange Set Glossy #125 /250 - Sealed
1990 "Orange Set" Black / Grey Promo
1990 "Orange Set" Black / Grey Promo Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Purple Promo
1990 "Orange Set" Purple Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Platinum Series Blue Set Glossy #731 /1000
1990 Platinum Series Black / Grey Promo Glossy
1990 Silver Series Purple Set Non #943 /2000
1990 Silver Series Black Promo
1991 Gold Series Purple / White Set Non #8 5/1500
1991 Gold Series Lt / Dark Grey Promo Non /300
1991 Millennium Series Yellow Set Glossy #628 /1000
1991 Millennium Series White Promo Glossy /200
1991 Platinum Series Green / Black Set Glossy #22 /1000 - JERSEY NUMBER
1991 Platinum Series Blue / Red Promo Glossy /200
1991 Stellar Series Green / Gold Set Glossy #209 /500
1991 Stellar Series Gold / Grey Promo Glossy /100
1991 Tony Gwynn Nova Glossy Cameo
1992 Gold Series Purple Set Non /750
1992 Gold Series Black Promo /150
1992 Plastic Set Orange / Grey Set Glossy
1992 Plastic Set Orange / Grey Set Glossy Sealed
1992 Plastic Set Orange Promo Glossy
1992 Plastic Set Green Promo Glossy /800
1992 Platinum Series Green Set Glossy #703 /1000
1992 Platinum Series Black Promo Glossy /200
1992 Silver Series Orange Set Non /1000
1992 Silver Series Blue Promo /200
1992 Stellar Series Gold Set Glossy /500
1992 Stellar Series Black Promo Glossy /100
1992 Ryne Sandberg Platinum Glossy Cameo

Ryan

Yanks2151 · Feb 25, 2015

I knew I remembered some type of serial numbering. It's just on the stickers and not the cards themselves.

KLARNOLD · Feb 25, 2015

mouschi said:
were these pricey or were they just typical $2-3 a pop?

I bought individual cards for $2-3 and sets for $10-15, got some graded and made a profit. I had the only PSA 9 1988 Star Silver Series Promo and I sold it for around $302 several years ago.

Hawk8 · Feb 25, 2015

RStadlerASU22 said:
Here is a list of the Clark's. It doesn't paste as neat from my spreadsheet as I'd like but if you have questions, let me know. The ones in bold are ones I need. I think only one is known, then a cameo I still haven't shelled out for but easily obtainable. Then a few are those that I am not sure of true existence. Some of the notations I have are just the color of the card/set and the Non means the set/promo is not glossy etc.

1986 Canseco Yellow Non Cameo
1986 Canseco Yellow Glossy Cameo
1986 Canseco Green Non Cameo - Sticker
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Non
1988 "Will Series" Set Non w/ Autograph - Sealed
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Non w/ Autograph #330
1988 "Will Series" Yellow Set Glossy #51 /1000
1988 "Will Series" Green Promo Non
1988 "Will Series" Green Promo Glossy
1989 Ad Card Green Promo Non
1989 Ad Card Green Promo Glossy
1988/1989? Bay Bombers Orange Set Non
1989 Bay Bombers Set Glossy
1989 Bay Bombers Peach / Orange Promo Non
1989 Bay Bombers Peach / Orange Promo Glossy
1989 Bay Bombers Cameo w/ Canseco
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set Non Sealed
1989 "Black / Green" Black / Green Set Glossy
1989 "Black / Green" Purple / Yellow Promo Non
1989 "Black / Green" Purple / Yellow Promo Glossy
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Non
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Glossy #8 /250
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Grey Set Glossy #56 /250 - Sealed
1989 Clark / Mitchell White / Gold Promo Non
1989 Clark / Mitchell Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1988/1989? Gold Series Green Set Non #1000 /1500
1989 Gold Series Black Promo
1989 Nova Series Green / Yellow Set Non?
1989 Nova Series Red / Blue Promo Glossy?
1988/1989 ? Platinum Series Pink Set Glossy
1989 Platinum Series Tan Promo Glossy
1989 Eric Davis Platinum Cameo
1988/1989? Silver Series Orange Set #1331 /2000
1989 Silver Series Black / Grey Promo Non /400
1990 Clark / Grace Purple Set Non
1990 Clark / Grace Orange Promo Non
1990 Clark / Grace Set Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Clark / Grace Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Gold Series Purple Set #1135 /1500
1990 Gold Series Grey Promo Non
1990 Nova Series Orange / Yellow Set Glossy #193 /500
1990 Nova Series Black / Yellow Promo Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Set
1990 "Orange Set" Orange Set Sealed
1990 "Orange Set" Set Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Orange Set Glossy #125 /250 - Sealed
1990 "Orange Set" Black / Grey Promo
1990 "Orange Set" Black / Grey Promo Glossy
1990 "Orange Set" Purple Promo
1990 "Orange Set" Purple Promo Glossy ? Does it exist ?
1990 Platinum Series Blue Set Glossy #731 /1000
1990 Platinum Series Black / Grey Promo Glossy
1990 Silver Series Purple Set Non #943 /2000
1990 Silver Series Black Promo
1991 Gold Series Purple / White Set Non #8 5/1500
1991 Gold Series Lt / Dark Grey Promo Non /300
1991 Millennium Series Yellow Set Glossy #628 /1000
1991 Millennium Series White Promo Glossy /200
1991 Platinum Series Green / Black Set Glossy #22 /1000 - JERSEY NUMBER
1991 Platinum Series Blue / Red Promo Glossy /200
1991 Stellar Series Green / Gold Set Glossy #209 /500
1991 Stellar Series Gold / Grey Promo Glossy /100
1991 Tony Gwynn Nova Glossy Cameo
1992 Gold Series Purple Set Non /750
1992 Gold Series Black Promo /150
1992 Plastic Set Orange / Grey Set Glossy
1992 Plastic Set Orange / Grey Set Glossy Sealed
1992 Plastic Set Orange Promo Glossy
1992 Plastic Set Green Promo Glossy /800
1992 Platinum Series Green Set Glossy #703 /1000
1992 Platinum Series Black Promo Glossy /200
1992 Silver Series Orange Set Non /1000
1992 Silver Series Blue Promo /200
1992 Stellar Series Gold Set Glossy /500
1992 Stellar Series Black Promo Glossy /100
1992 Ryne Sandberg Platinum Glossy Cameo

Ryan

WOW! Dawson does not have nearly that many. He does have some camoes on some Ryne Sandberg Novas that I haven't found at a decent price yet.

Austin · Feb 25, 2015

I love the Star Company sets. I have several sets of my favorite '80s players like Henderson, Mattingly, Raines, Clark and Gwynn.

They're actually legitimate, fully licensed sets. But since they weren't issued in packs (until the '89 Star Minor League sets) and made as player sets, they're not considered as collectible as the mass-produced companies' cards. But they're perfect for player collectors. And it's fun finding all of the different variation sets, like Platinum and the different colors.

The mid-'80s Star basketball sets, on the other hand, are extremely collectible, as Star was the official basketball card maker between '83 and '86, bridging the gap between Topps and Fleer. It's also when Michael Jordan broke into the league, and the Star Jordan rookies predate the '86 Fleer rookie, which came out a couple of years after Jordan's rookie season. The Star Jordan cards are much more rare than the Fleer cards and only came in sealed team set bags of the Bulls, All-Star and rookie team editions, I believe.

Star tried but never got MLB approval to sell Major League cards in packs like Topps, Donruss, Fleer, etc. But as I mentioned earlier, they did produce a few high-quality Minor League sets in packs for a couple of years that have cool pre-rookie cards of some big stars.

predatorkj · Feb 25, 2015

I've got a slew of Bagwells. It's pretty confusing. To be honest, I don't even know what the hell I still need. I just pretty much have to trust my memory.

RStadlerASU22 · Feb 25, 2015

Hawk8 said:
WOW! Dawson does not have nearly that many. He does have some camoes on some Ryne Sandberg Novas that I haven't found at a decent price yet.

That's what happens when you destroy the Cubs in 89'

Who cares about the HOF !

Ryan

dstrawberryfan39 · Feb 25, 2015

Love this thread I have a ton of darryl strawberry ones but one that has puzzled me is the 1984 star set that is autographed and numbered? I have seen other autographed ones of other players and it's sealed also any help?

Welcome to our community

Be apart of something great, join today!

What is the story on STAR cards from the 80's/90's?

Featured Contributor, Bridging the Gap, Senior Mem

Active member

Featured Contributor, Bridging the Gap, Senior Mem

Active member

Active member

Featured Contributor, Bridging the Gap, Senior Mem

Active member

Featured Contributor, Bridging the Gap, Senior Mem

Well-known member

Featured Contributor, Bridging the Gap, Senior Mem

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Active member

Similar threads

Log in