1999 Flair Ripken Question
 

At The National in Baltimore in 2010, I picked up a 1999 Fleer Flair Ripken "card". It was either $10 or $20 (can't remember which) and I didn't know exactly what it was, didn't have it in my master Ripken checklist, and had never seen one before, so of course I just bought it.

I typed "card" above, because it is 8" x 11" not your typical standard sized card like every other 1999 Flair that I have seen.

It appears identical to the regular 1999 Flair Ripken, Row 1, seat 8, card, except that it does not have that designation on the back lower right above "SHOWPIECE", nor the serialized numbering on the front upper left.

11 years later I still do know know exactly what this is, and in searching have not found another, nor found it in any Flair checklist.

Does anyone know exactly what this is?

Thanks in advance.



The 8x11 is shown immediately below, with a sample standard card below it (obviously not to scale).

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=31034

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=31035



https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=31032

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=31033

I have seen them prior and they sell for around 10-15 bucks if you can find a buyer. I believe Ripken is the only subject and I have heard it was a run of 1500 that could be ordered from fleer in some way I have long forgotten.

This is part of the fad they had in the early 00ish years of giant cards the companies were hoping collectors would buy as something to display or frame as art. All of the major producers put out a form of these.

They have never been very successful as they are a pain to store and store safely for condition. You also cannot add them to master collections as PSA will not grade due to size.

A quick eBay search shows this one selling just in the last couple days with the predictable storage damage from awkwardness in size.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/33399518593...p2047675.l2557

Justin,

Thanks!

Big cards! Yes I have a few of the 1998 Pinnacle Uncut ones that I think are 15 x 20.

Interesting if the Ripken was a run of 1500, as that was what the normal cards were serially numbered to.


Thanks again.

I can’t find your posted picture