Jerry Rice
Wide Receiver · San Francisco 49ers
Pro Set #Not visible
Year & Era
1990 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
In-Person Signed Autograph Base Card
Grade
Raw — Appears Good to Very Good (VG-EX)
Rarity
Common base card from the mass-produced Junk Wax era, but elevated in value due to the signed autograph addition.
Overall Assessment
A classic 1990 Pro Set Jerry Rice base card enhanced by a bold in-person autograph. While technical condition suffers from heavy edge and corner wear along with poor centering, the signature provides a strong focal point for player collectors.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Good to Very Good (VG-EX)
Centering Assessment
Front: Heavily heavy top-to-bottom with very thin top border and thick bottom border. Left-Right appears moderately off-center.
Surface Condition
Surface shows minor scuffing, slight fading typical of early 90s glossy coatings, and a prominent black marker signature across the center.
Corner Condition
All four corners show noticeable rounding, chipping, and wear, consistent with loose handling out of protective sleeves.
Edge Condition
Edges show visible chipping along the top and side borders, with slight fraying of the paper stock.
Print Quality
Typical 1990 Pro Set standard featuring soft focus photography, standard cardstock, and typical gloss layer.
Estimated Value
$50 - $150 depending on signature authentication by PSA/DNA or JSA
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy falls below average due to corner wear and poor centering, though the bold signature helps salvage overall eye appeal.
Authentication Tips
Verify the ink penetration and flow of the signature against known authentic Jerry Rice exemplars. Check card dimensions and back printing quality to rule out counterfeit base cards.
Grading Recommendation
Submit to PSA/DNA or JSA for autograph authentication rather than numeric grading, given the noticeable corner wear and heavy off-center condition.
Red Flags
The card exhibits authentic handling wear, but the signature must be authenticated by a third-party service (PSA/DNA or JSA) to confirm legitimacy.
Provenance Notes
Sourced from the overproduced 1990 Pro Set football release, commonly obtained via in-person autograph signings or through private memorabilia collections.
Historical Context
Jerry Rice is widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, holding virtually every major receiving record including career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
Market Trends
Jerry Rice signed memorabilia remains consistently stable in value, though raw vintage or Junk Wax base cards with unauthenticated signatures require third-party verification to realize full market potential.
Investment Potential
Hold. While condition-sensitive collectors will pass due to edge and corner wear, fans of Hall of Fame autographs will find value if certified.
Similar Cards
1986 Topps Jerry Rice RC, 1989 Score Jerry Rice, 1990 Topps Jerry Rice
Display & Preservation
Store in a penny sleeve and a rigid top-loader or magnetic one-touch holder in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the ink and card stock.
Interesting Facts
Pro Set was one of the defining manufacturers of the early 1990s Junk Wax era, famous for massive print runs, error cards, and introducing cheap box sets to the mass market.