1989 Fleer Randy Johnson #381 Marlboro Errors - 30 Years Later

[steve5838]

And here is a group shot (the FedEx driver just dropped off the new slab).

[Hatorade]

Is the tinting on all 3 exactly the same or are you able to notice any small differences?

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

Is the tinting on all 3 exactly the same or are you able to notice any small differences?

The tinting on the three signs looks the same to me. If you PM me your personal email address I can scan the three cards at once and send you the scan(s).

Steve

[steve5838]

Here are close ups of the signs on my 3 clear cards.

[steve5838]

Deleted

[steve5838]

A bunch of people have asked privately for my valuation on the clear cards. I really don't know. If you've followed this thread long enough you know I haven't won any of these in competitive auctions. Without this guide point I don't think anyone can be sure of true market value with any certainty. The best I have to go by is prices I've paid and prices of other 80/90s chase cards with similar rarity. It is my favorite card, but I've come around to what some others here have suggested, that I don't need to hoard 3 of these - and will probably list the PSA6 at some point. I haven't decided if it will be an auction or BIN but would fund another of my (rare junk wax) chase cards that I can't otherwise afford.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve5838

A bunch of people have asked privately for my valuation on the clear cards. I really don't know. If you've followed this thread long enough you know I haven't won any of these in competitive auctions. Without this guide point I don't think anyone can be sure of true market value with any certainty. The best I have to go by is prices I've paid and prices of other 80/90s chase cards with similar rarity. It is my favorite card, but I've come around to what some others here have suggested, that I don't need to hoard 3 of these - and will probably list the PSA6 at some point. I haven't decided if it will be an auction or BIN but would fund another of my (rare junk wax) chase cards that I can't otherwise afford.

If/when you actually list it for sale please let us know. What is the other junk wax card(s) you are interested in?

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

If/when you actually list it for sale please let us know. What is the other junk wax card(s) you are interested in?

I will definitely do that.

[steve5838]

Deleted

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve5838

Ben, you got me thinking. Sticking with the topic of this thread I am also a big fan of the aquamarine tint version of this card. My guess is it is similar rarity (I'm only aware of the ones held by Kevin, Hatorade, and me -- but believe there are more out there). I would also trade the PSA6 clear for two PSA graded aquamarine tint cards (as long as at least one is a PSA9). I have been trying to get all the less obscured versions in PSA9 holders so a trade like this would help fill that gap.

LOL, As a hoarder I get it. So you want to trade a rare card you have more than one of for another card you already have?

I have a friend that done something similar but had to give up on picking the grade and just went with PSA graded versions. When there are 5 or less known copies getting one in a specific grade isn't really realistic most of the time.

Wish I still had my aquamarine to trade you.

[bnorth]

Not the best pic but all I have for now. I just bought this one and can't wait for it to arrive. It is hard to tell from this pic but it is the dark blue version. Not sure how many are out there but I haven't seen many.

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Not the best pic but all I have for now. I just bought this one and can't wait for it to arrive. It is hard to tell from this pic but it is the dark blue version. Not sure how many are out there but I haven't seen many.

Awesome pickup, Ben! Congratulations!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve5838

Awesome pickup, Ben! Congratulations!

Thank you, I am so excited to get this card. Got tracking # this morning and confirmation USPS received it at 1pm with expected delivery on Monday. I even signed up for email and text alerts for it.

On another 89 Fleer note I picked up a No Dot Wade Boggs this morning for $4 delivered.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Thank you, I am so excited to get this card. Got tracking # this morning and confirmation USPS received it at 1pm with expected delivery on Monday. I even signed up for email and text alerts for it.

On another 89 Fleer note I picked up a No Dot Wade Boggs this morning for $4 delivered.

Randy was 110 miles and one sorting facility away on Saturday. Then he decided he needed a several hundred mile out of the way vacation to St Louis this weekend before he returned to that same sorting facility today. Hopefully he is done with the detours/vacations and arrives tomorrow.

EDIT: I got alerted it just arrived in the town I live in.

[bnorth]

Just arrived. I believe it is the 3rd known dark blue/purplish version.

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

If/when you actually list it for sale please let us know. What is the other junk wax card(s) you are interested in?

In case anyone is interested I just listed the PSA6 clear one at:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30546308651...mis&media=COPY

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve5838

In case anyone is interested I just listed the PSA6 clear one at:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30546308651...mis&media=COPY

That is an amazing card. Good luck with the sale.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by bnorth

That is an amazing card. Good luck with the sale.

+1

Any chance we can change the title of this thread to reflect that is now 35 years?

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

That is an amazing card. Good luck with the sale.

Thanks Ben!

Steve

[Ltlbvr]

Hi Everyone,

Just dropping in to introduce myself. My name is Brian and I collect all rare things Junk Wax Era. Past projects are 89 Fleer Ripken, 90 Topps Partial Blackless, 91 Topps Desert Shield and most recently early 90s UD Heros Autographs.

I recently started collecting the Marlboro Johnson. I picked up a few nice additions from Steve (including the Clear PSA 6).

I have spent hours combing through the material on this thread. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of the Partial Blackless thread on CU. I appreciate all the time and effort you all have taken to put this information together so a newbie like myself can get up to speed faster.

Looking forward to learning more. Thanks again for putting this together.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

Hi Everyone,

Just dropping in to introduce myself. My name is Brian and I collect all rare things Junk Wax Era. Past projects are 89 Fleer Ripken, 90 Topps Partial Blackless, 91 Topps Desert Shield and most recently early 90s UD Heros Autographs.

I recently started collecting the Marlboro Johnson. I picked up a few nice additions from Steve (including the Clear PSA 6).

I have spent hours combing through the material on this thread. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of the Partial Blackless thread on CU. I appreciate all the time and effort you all have taken to put this information together so a newbie like myself can get up to speed faster.

Looking forward to learning more. Thanks again for putting this together.

Hi Brian, looks like you have been a member for some time. You need to stop by more often. I post a lot of worthless junk but occasionally post something worth reading.

[Ltlbvr]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Not the best pic but all I have for now. I just bought this one and can't wait for it to arrive. It is hard to tell from this pic but it is the dark blue version. Not sure how many are out there but I haven't seen many.

How’d you know from these pics what the card was? Are there indicators on the card other than the board? Or when combined with the board gives it a higher probability?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

How’d you know from these pics what the card was? Are there indicators on the card other than the board? Or when combined with the board gives it a higher probability?

Just from seeing and owning a boat load of Johnson error cards and I have had one of that version in hand before. Plus I get lucky and find rare stuff on occasion.

[Hatorade]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

Hi Everyone,

Just dropping in to introduce myself. My name is Brian and I collect all rare things Junk Wax Era. Past projects are 89 Fleer Ripken, 90 Topps Partial Blackless, 91 Topps Desert Shield and most recently early 90s UD Heros Autographs.

I recently started collecting the Marlboro Johnson. I picked up a few nice additions from Steve (including the Clear PSA 6).

I have spent hours combing through the material on this thread. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of the Partial Blackless thread on CU. I appreciate all the time and effort you all have taken to put this information together so a newbie like myself can get up to speed faster.

Looking forward to learning more. Thanks again for putting this together.

Welcome to the club! You’re an official card carrying member with that clear card. What other 1989 Fleer Marlboro versions do you have?

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

Hi Everyone,

Just dropping in to introduce myself. My name is Brian and I collect all rare things Junk Wax Era. Past projects are 89 Fleer Ripken, 90 Topps Partial Blackless, 91 Topps Desert Shield and most recently early 90s UD Heros Autographs.

I recently started collecting the Marlboro Johnson. I picked up a few nice additions from Steve (including the Clear PSA 6).

I have spent hours combing through the material on this thread. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of the Partial Blackless thread on CU. I appreciate all the time and effort you all have taken to put this information together so a newbie like myself can get up to speed faster.

Looking forward to learning more. Thanks again for putting this together.

Welcome to the thread Brian. There are some really knowledgeable folks here who I've learned a ton from. Enjoy the ride down the rabbit hole of this card! Steve

[Ltlbvr]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

Welcome to the club! You’re an official card carrying member with that clear card. What other 1989 Fleer Marlboro versions do you have?

I’ve got a clear, aqua, light blue box/stencil, and quite a few red / green / fish / red negatives . . .

I do not have a dark blue, so if you know of one . . .

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

I’ve got a clear, aqua, light blue box/stencil, and quite a few red / green / fish / red negatives . . .

I do not have a dark blue, so if you know of one . . .

Awesome, do you have all 3 of the green scribble versions? I recently sold a dark blue. If I find anything new I will email you.

[Ltlbvr]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Awesome, do you have all 3 of the green scribble versions? I recently sold a dark blue. If I find anything new I will email you.

I may not. Post them here and I'll compare what I've got. I know I have 2 different . . . not sure about 3 . . .

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

I may not. Post them here and I'll compare what I've got. I know I have 2 different . . . not sure about 3 . . .

Post #324 in this thread has decent pics. From top to bottom.

Top:This has a bar through the word with the tops of the l & b visible. Back before Covid when the green scribble was still insanely rare this one took me a couple years to track down.

Bottom:This is more of a blob that covers the entire word.

Middle:This one is a combination of the two. It is the blob but also has the darker bar visible.

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Post #324 in this thread has decent pics. From top to bottom.

Top:This has a bar through the word with the tops of the l & b visible. Back before Covid when the green scribble was still insanely rare this one took me a couple years to track down.

Bottom:This is more of a blob that covers the entire word.

Middle:This one is a combination of the two. It is the blob but also has the darker bar visible.

My focus hasn't been on the more obscured versions so I am still learning. I'm curious how would you classify this one currently for sale on eBay? It seems to be a scribble version but there seems to be an extra layer of tint? I pasted a picture from the PSA scan below.

[Hatorade]

That is a medium to dark fish with red circle. When the fish with red circle lineage gets towards the middle to darker end of the spectrum they all have that same dot towards the head of the fish. I’ve included the link from post #75 below. The last 13 or so cards in the album all have the same dot and range in the amount of green tint over them. It’s tough to tell exactly but the card you posted appears to be more toward the darkest or most tinted.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...57675341931257

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

That is a medium to dark fish with red circle. When the fish with red circle lineage gets towards the middle to darker end of the spectrum they all have that same dot towards the head of the fish. I’ve included the link from post #75 below. The last 13 or so cards in the album all have the same dot and range in the amount of green tint over them. It’s tough to tell exactly but the card you posted appears to be more toward the darkest or most tinted.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmarl...57675341931257

This is very helpful. I really like the progression/ordering of images in your album. Thank you!

[bnorth]

Got another amazing Randy in the mail today. It is another beyond silly rare blue version. I believe this is the 4th one of this version that has been found.

EDIT: To update the information. It is the darker of the 2 blue stencil versions.

[steve5838]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Got another amazing Randy in the mail today. It is another beyond silly rare blue version. I believe this is the 4th one of this version that has been found.

That is a beautiful card Ben. Congratulations!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve5838

That is a beautiful card Ben. Congratulations!

Thank you, I am very happy about finding it. Now if I just had my eyesight from 10 years ago back. I am still not 100% sure if it is the lighter or darker version.

It is nice and sunny today so I should be able to get better pics. Plus sunlight helps me a lot in seeing the sign area.

On a side note finding silly rare cards has always been a huge part of the hobby for me. I am always like a kid in a candy store when I find cards like this.

[Hatorade]

That’s unreal Ben! How do you keep coming up with these? That’s 2 in the last couple months and finding any of the blues is like finding a needle in a haystack!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

That’s unreal Ben! How do you keep coming up with these? That’s 2 in the last couple months and finding any of the blues is like finding a needle in a haystack!

There are very few people that look at more cards per day than I do. Before these 2 blues it had been close to a year since my last find of a silly rare card. Amazingly I think I might have found another blue and can't wait for it to arrive.

[philliesfan]

I never pulled any Johnson variation but always wanted to.
I still buy packs here and there for the fun of it but no luck.

[bnorth]

WOW has mail been slow for me lately. Well except one that arrived in 2 days but the small flat rate box was seriously beat to heck.

Anyway my new Randy Johnson card(on left side) arrived today. Of course it is cloudy/rainy out so I can't see it well or get a decent picture.

I have to get with a couple other collectors and see if any have seen this version before. It looks exactly like the more common red stencil version just without the red. There is some red on the new card but just on the extreme edge of the sign with none in the middle. In hand and under magnification I can see the blue appears to be exactly the same as the very small amount of blue on the way more common red stencil cards. This card also has the little red squiggle thing by FLEER.

[bnorth]

I took my red phone case off and got a little better pictures of my new card compared to the regular red stencil version.

[jacksoncoupage]

I believe its safe to say that these cards have officially reached a broad, widely-known level of popularity and pricing closer to their values.

Sales for obscured but visible "Marlboro" versions are hitting new highs consistently. Some a bit shocking. Other further obscured (green tints, black scribble, etc) are as well. Even occasional "box" version sales have been higher than usual.

It seems like the only deals to be found over the last few months are the product of being the first to hit a BIN before anyone else sees it. Also worth noting is how, as far as ebay listings go, we've entered an era of incorrect descriptors are leading to higher sales. Lots of listings with titles like "very clear" "clearly visible sign" etc.

I feel bad (just slightly) for selling my big collection of them last year when there were so many fantastic examples of "early tint" variations in the lot and while I have been casually rebuilding another collection since selling, this new market has slowed that down dramatically.

[jacksoncoupage]

I should also add how fun it is to constantly have my bids cancelled on 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson cards. Such fun hunting this stuff down!

[Ltlbvr]

Johnson Rack.jpg

Recent pick up. Most of the racks and cellos I've seen have fully corrected versions on front. Fun addition.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

Attachment 621945

Recent pick up. Most of the racks and cellos I've seen have fully corrected versions on front. Fun addition.

Very nice. One of the few 89 Fleer things I have never collected. I don't have what it takes to not rip it open.

[Hatorade]

Originally Posted by Ltlbvr

Attachment 621945

Recent pick up. Most of the racks and cellos I've seen have fully corrected versions on front. Fun addition.

With the racks and cellos coming after wax production started the Johnson variations were only in them for a very short amount of time. Nice double error on top of the pack with the Romine error too!

[bnorth]

Got this one in the mail yesterday.

[Athos01]

Hey guys, check out this Johnson I recently acquired. I have never seen one quite like this before. The card has weird dark red obstructions on the ad, as opposed to the dark green obstructions more commonly seen.

The PSA link is the best picture.

https://www.psacard.com/cert/94241755

Thanks!

[jp1216]

Here is a closeup pic Kevin!

[Athos01]

Thanks Jon, that helps a lot!!!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Athos01

Thanks Jon, that helps a lot!!!

Nice, always good to get them in Gem Mint 10. It looks like what is called the red stencil version but hard for me to tell from pictures. Am I correct? If not what is it?