Expert: Craig Webb - 4/23/2009

Question
I found a box of Upper Deck 1991 NFL premiere edition cards.  It says The Collectors edition, complete set, high number series with traded players and newest rookies, 700- card set in numerical order.  Do you know what this would be worth?  They still have the plastic wrap with upper deck stamps and sticker seal.

Answer
Karina,

First...Thanks for the question and for visiting AllExperts.com.

Second a little background information…

I am pretty sure that you are talking about the 1991 Upper Deck football factory set which consists of 700 standard size cards and is the first set of football cards produced by Upper Deck.  It was released in two series, the first series having 500 cards and then the high-number series which has 200 additional cards continuing the numbering from the first series.  Factory sets were available for both series [which is what I think that you have].  This set has subsets [which are regular version cards for the set but are in some way theme based and look a little different] i.e. card #s 72 through 99 are cards featuring Vernon Wells drawings and are the team checklists.  Other subsets are Star Rookies card #s 1 through 29, Aerial Threats card #s 30 through 35, Season Leaders card #s 401 through 406), Team MVP's card #s 450 through 487, Rookie Force card #s 601 through 626 (AFC players) & card #s 627 through 652 (NFC players), and the Arch Rivals subset card #s 653 through 658 which shows two players on a split-photo cards presenting known one-on-one rivalries.  The Brett Favre #13 rookie card is the highlight card for this set ($5-$10).  Two insert cards were also available only but in packs, a Darrell Green card # SP1 & SP2 which commemorates Don Shula's 300th NFL victory.  Also two Promo cards were released which previewed this set, but they are not considered part of the complete set.

Next the set that you are asking about, 1991 Upper Deck Football has a book value of $6.00 to $15.00 for the complete set (meaning if you bought packs and put the set together on your own) or the complete factory set (which means what it says...the factory completed the set packaged it in a neat box and sealed it in plastic wrap books for about $10 to $25 (some collectors will not pay the premium if the factory seal is removed).

Last...always remember if you are looking to sell your card(s) or if you want to buy, these values are just a reference point developed by "average" secondary market sales...if you are a bottom line type of person your card(s) are really worth only what you are willing to accept for them or what you are willing to pay.
I hope that this helps a little, Happy collecting!!!

Craig