Mark Kelso
Safety · Buffalo Bills
Fleer Ultra ##22
Year & Era
1992 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6
Rarity
Common. High production volumes during the 1992 Fleer Ultra print run make this a very common card with no market scarcity.
Overall Assessment
A classic piece of 90s football history featuring a core member of the 1990s Buffalo Bills dynasty. In terms of hobby value, it is a common card but holds high nostalgia value for fans of that era.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly shifted toward the bottom-right corner (~60/40 LR, 55/45 TB). Back centering not visible.
Surface Condition
Near Mint. Glossy surface looks well-preserved despite many of these cards suffering from 'bricking' where they stick together in packs.
Corner Condition
Show slight softening, particularly on the bottom right and top left. Not razor sharp but consistent with age.
Edge Condition
Minor chipping visible along the green bottom border; Fleer Ultra cards of this era are prone to edge wear against the dark ink.
Print Quality
High-quality for the era with a full-bleed photo and gold foil stamping in the upper right. Color saturation on the Bills jersey is strong.
Estimated Value
$0.25 - $1.00
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy is in average condition for the set. Many survivors are found in 'Excellent' condition due to the high-quality card stock used by Fleer.
Authentication Tips
Authenticity is rarely an issue for this card as the cost to replicate exceeds the market value. Verify the gold foil 'Ultra' logo is embossed.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of the grading fee would significantly exceed the final market value of the card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed. The card appears authentic and unaltered.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in wax packs, jumbo packs, and factory sets. This card was part of the cornerstone 'Ultra' brand rollout meant to compete with Upper Deck.
Historical Context
Mark Kelso was a key part of the Bills defense that reached four consecutive Super Bowls. He is widely remembered for wearing the iconic 'ProCap' (padded helmet cover) seen in this image.
Market Trends
Stable/Flat. While the 90-93 Bills are legendary, interest in common defensive player cards from this era is limited to specialized team collectors.
Investment Potential
Low long-term investment potential; best suited for team set builders or Buffalo Bills nostalgia collectors.
Similar Cards
1992 Fleer Ultra Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, or Bruce Smith; 1992 SkyBox or Topps Mark Kelso.
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top loader are sufficient. No specialized equipment needed.
Interesting Facts
Kelso was one of the first players to wear the 'gazoo' shell over his helmet to reduce the risk of concussions, which is clearly visible on this card's photography.