Michael Jordan uncut sheet help with identifying

[hotandcoldmath]

This was in an old hobby shop that closed down. The original owner thought that it might have been associated with an old sports card vending machine, but wasn't sure. When it closed, the item along with a bunch of other stuff from the period, was passed down to a gentlemen who also wasn't sure what it was.

It is obviously not the uncut final print sheet or likely color alignment sheet for the 1986 set. But could be an early printers proof quality control or color alignment sheet potentially? Or associated with something other than the 1986 Fleer flagship set?

The stock seems potentially correct, the color and markings seem to be consistent with printers press proofing and color alignment for the period, although not the easiest to research.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, fun conversation oddball MJ item regardless I guess, thanks guys

[ReggieBush22]

I've collected a lot of early 80's MJ stuff but never saw this.

99% likely, just some counterfeit stuff. But what if there is that rare chance it's some original stuff actually associated with 1986 Fleer? I would definitely CONFIRM it's counterfeit before selling it for a few bucks LOL.

[Bob Ross]

Need clearer pictures.

[3124508 on COMC]

Need larger photos front and back.

[hotandcoldmath]

I'll put some better photos in here shortly. I think the chance it wasn't associated with the Fleer set directly is quite high, but it's also from the period, and even if it was for something else it seems interesting potentially. Clearer photos to come, thank you all very much

[Gary]

Its fake Fleer didn't print sheets that way.

[jetta20162]

I've only seen sheets with the 132 cards. This sheet maybe from the 1996 reprint set

[njsportscardguy]

I only possess a general, passing-knowledge on the subject. That being said, outside of perhaps a "special" or limited edition type of printing, I've never seen a sheet (regardless of how few or how many cards it be comprised of) consist of just one, player...?

If I were to wager a guess, I'd reasonably presume that it's [malicious/deceitful] fake or a [acknowledged as such] reproduced, conversation-piece. Nevertheless, get an expert's opinion.

[TimBuckTwo]

Step 1) Obtain sheet
Step 2) Precision cut cards
Step 3) Send to PSA and see how many they pass and hopefully at a 10
Step 4) Sell as PSA authentic
Step 5) Down payment on house in Malibu

[phdbeckett]

About a decade ago at one of the national conventions I saw a dealer that had sheets like this. They were the 1996 Fleer decade of Excellence but they were all Jordans. If you look at the pop report of both the Fleer and the ultra version, you will notice there are an order of magnitude more Jordans than any other card. That would make sense on the surface but literally there was sheets of this stuff cut up. If you want to understand how much more look at the pop report for the ultra decade and Fleer versus the Metal version. It's almost comical how many more there are of the base Fleer and Ultra.

[hotandcoldmath]

Here are some more pictures. Stock seems correct width and feel, glossier finish on front, non glossy off white back. The original owner thought it might be associated with displays for an early card vending machine? Anyone have any idea on that front? Print/ink looks period to my eye but I'm not an expert (solid areas solid with more rosette on picture). Assuming it isn't associated with the actual 1986 set, other likely possibilities? Just produced as counterfeit to sell? Doesn't look right for the 1996 set and definitely appears to be older, but again I'm not an expert. Thanks for the time and effort fun to explore

[hotandcoldmath]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

Need larger photos front and back.

Done... some more info as well, sheet came out of an old sports card shop storage unit, with a bunch of vintage posters, stickers, and MJ/Hulk Hogan stuff... The shop was called CJ's outside of Cooperstown

[phdbeckett]

https://bbcemporium.com/index.php?st...michael_jordan

[hotandcoldmath]

Yeah a lot of it checks out, the coloration on the arrow isn't quite right, but also some color discrepancy on test sheet wouldn't be shocking. It could just be a vintage fantasy proof?

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by hotandcoldmath

Yeah a lot of it checks out, the coloration on the arrow isn't quite right, but also some color discrepancy on test sheet wouldn't be shocking. It could just be a vintage fantasy proof?

Maybe it's just an uncut sheet of fakes

[livfreely]

I’m going with reprints. The quality in the clarity is just not there.


Look at the word premier under the fleer. It’s not clear at all. The orange arrow isn’t prominent as well. The lettering is not clear.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ninjacookies]

Real difficult to tell unless you photograph it with a dslr or good handheld with macro focus.

Cellphone pics only make things pixelated and fuzzy.

[JWBlue]

I doubt they would make a proof sheet of just that card. Nobody knew at the time MJ would be great.

If they did maybe Fleer did that years later which would still make it interesting.

[hotandcoldmath]

Yeah, I'm sort of leaning towards a color alignment sheet someone used for counterfeiting. I think it's likely offset press and correct stock, late 80's early 90's at latest, kind of a cool unique conversation piece on the most faked card ever. Not the crazy money a proofing sheet from Fleer would be of course but still kind of cool I think, and will look kind of cool framed up. If anyone has an inkling otherwise, maybe something produced later on for display or promotional use etc please let us know! There definitely doesn't seem to be a bunch of these floating around and it's not the easiest thing to make from what I can tell

[hotandcoldmath]

Originally Posted by livfreely

I’m going with reprints. The quality in the clarity is just not there.


Look at the word premier under the fleer. It’s not clear at all. The orange arrow isn’t prominent as well. The lettering is not clear.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree, although a pretty good one, most of the common issues check out, and correct printing and stock I think. Not a super trivial thing to create, and sometimes proof sheets can have some variation in colors quality and such, but I agree on the arrow and sharpness just not quite there. A fun conversation piece in any case