Difference between US and European Version of Fleer Set

[djktbauer]

Hi everyone,

From 1994-95 to 1996-97 Fleer has brought out an European version of their Basketball cards. While some of the sets are differently numbered than the American ones, which is obviously true for the inserts which are just part of the European base set, especially the 1995-96 as well as the 1996-97 Series 1 set is equally numbered as its American counterpart. Unlike i.e. the 1997-98 European Collector's Choice set you cannot even tell the difference from the copy right on the backside because both, the US and the EU Fleer, say "printed in the USA".

Does anybody know if there is a way to tell the difference between an equally numbered EU and USA Fleer card or if they are basically the same card?

[FortheBirds]

*bump*

Curious also. Specifically 94-95 where the card numbers match?

[ikelove500]

I would be interested in more examples. I am looking at my Rodman cards and, like you said, the numbering are different for the european versions. The collectors choice international versions usually have other languages on them. I did notice with some earlier fleer, some of the inserts will have other players on the back. Examples would be, 94/95 league leaders...USA has a write up about rodman, while the EU version as mahmoud abdul-rauf on the back. This is also the case for fleer 94/95 all defensive 2nd team card. The EU has gold foil and Rodman's card has nate mcmillan, usa has silver foil and a write up about Rodman. I can say that my 1995-96 fleer base of Rodman has different numbering. The usa is card #213 while the EU is #283. But this could be because it is series 2.

This is what i found on cardboardhistory on blogspot:

There is also a European release for 1995-96 Fleer. 1995-96 Fleer European There is a major difference in the set, as instead of being a 350 card set, it's 499 cards. The first 197 are the same, but then, instead of going into checklists and series II, most of the inserts in the American set are numbered as part of the base set in the European release. The European release also includes Team cards, which is a team logo over a floor pattern. These have no American counterpart. Unlike most of the European sets issued in the 1990s, this set is almost entirely in English, whereas most were bilingual. The team cards feature a glossary of basketball terms in multiple languages.

[byronscott4ever]

Yes, 1996-97 are fun because the wrapper is different but cards are the same in S1 and different in S2. And people think collecting parallels today is stressful.

[OddityCards]

Seems like only question not answered above is 1994-95.
1994-95 USA copywriters are "1994"
European versions are "1995"

[FortheBirds]

Originally Posted by OddityCards

Seems like only question not answered above is 1994-95.
1994-95 USA copywriters are "1994"
European versions are "1995"

The copywrite numbers are identical on both though? Here is an example i put together using Dale Ellis. (Hopefully screenshots from this website are allowed here?) This is an example of one that looks identical to me but there obviously is a difference somewhere or they wouldn't have separate categories lol. Sorry about the horrible image quality, just threw it together quick, can make out the copywrite dates easily though.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/1NTdnRDKwuigDywk6

[OddityCards]

(corrected) The US version copywriters date would be 1994.
Series II wasn't in a European issue. Those cards with same name/number are 1994 vs. 1995 copywrite for the US vs. Euro editions.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by OddityCards

This backs are both European as the copywriters dates are both 1995. The US version copywriters date wiyld be 1994.

USA Series 2 cards from 94-95 Fleer all have the 1995 copywrite.

The True Dale Ellis European fleer card is number 55.

[OddityCards]

Originally Posted by mc1

USA Series 2 cards from 94-95 Fleer all have the 1995 copywrite.

The True Dale Ellis European fleer card is number 55.

And also, no series II for 1994-95 European.

[FortheBirds]

So COMC has a bunch of these categorized wrong

Originally Posted by mc1

USA Series 2 cards from 94-95 Fleer all have the 1995 copywrite.

The True Dale Ellis European fleer card is number 55.

[kukocitb]

Originally Posted by ikelove500

I would be interested in more examples. I am looking at my Rodman cards and, like you said, the numbering are different for the european versions. The collectors choice international versions usually have other languages on them. I did notice with some earlier fleer, some of the inserts will have other players on the back. Examples would be, 94/95 league leaders...USA has a write up about rodman, while the EU version as mahmoud abdul-rauf on the back. This is also the case for fleer 94/95 all defensive 2nd team card. The EU has gold foil and Rodman's card has nate mcmillan, usa has silver foil and a write up about Rodman. I can say that my 1995-96 fleer base of Rodman has different numbering. The usa is card #213 while the EU is #283. But this could be because it is series 2.

This is what i found on cardboardhistory on blogspot:

There is also a European release for 1995-96 Fleer. 1995-96 Fleer European There is a major difference in the set, as instead of being a 350 card set, it's 499 cards. The first 197 are the same, but then, instead of going into checklists and series II, most of the inserts in the American set are numbered as part of the base set in the European release. The European release also includes Team cards, which is a team logo over a floor pattern. These have no American counterpart. Unlike most of the European sets issued in the 1990s, this set is almost entirely in English, whereas most were bilingual. The team cards feature a glossary of basketball terms in multiple languages.

bumping this up. Here is some info I found on trading card DB

There is basically no difference between the US and European versions of Series 1 (#1-150), except for glossiness type and feel.