American brand Fleer was founded in 1885 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning as a confectionary. By 1928, Fleer introduced Dubble Bubble, the first bubblegum on the market. Parallel to its candy endeavors, Fleer began producing sports trading cards in 1923. In 1959, Fleer developed an 80-card set devoted to baseball star Ted Williams and his career highlights as he approached retirement. Fleer extended this strategy to immortalize a series of mostly retired players called Baseball Greats. The company was the first to include baseball cards with its candy, paving the way for its modern rivals.
Over the years, Fleer expanded its trading card enterprise to showcase American football players, beginning in 1960, and basketball players, starting in 1986. While Fleer battled to remain a player in the sports trading card industry, its output includes series that exemplify the brand’s incredible foresight. The 1987 Fleer Sticker 2 Michael Jordan (PSA or BGS Graded) is part of Fleer’s 1986–87 NBA-licensed set of 132 cards, which included the rookie cards of NBA greats including Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Charles Barkley.
Throughout its storied rise, Fleer distinguished itself with items like Ultra sets, which debuted in 1991. A small percentage of the production run featured luxe card stock and silver ink. This aspect of uncertainty and probability excited the trading card world. Those who appreciate the lineage and provenance of sports memorabilia can also find an assortment of authenticated sports equipment to enhance their collection.
