The Biggest & Most Complex Card Error Of All Time!!
THE ONLY VARIATION WEBSITE TO REALIZE THE VARIATIONS ARE IN CONSECUTIVE ORDER!!
Stage 1. Stage 8.
Gap/No Gap.
Any real "Variation" will have the gap to the right of Randy Johnson's head visible. ANY claim of a "Variation" with no gap (see right picture) is not real/fake/imagination.
In addition to the non gap some other hints that it is the final corrected version. A small space at the end of the blue seperator and a vertical blue line on the right. In addition (credit to ReggieCleveland) two black marks between the Y and J in name are visible. All of these traits appear on the final blacked our version and glossy card. It has been suggested that "white dots" appear on a few of the variations as well however no confirmation of this currently exists. The "blue line" extends to bottom of the corrected version as well. The black dots appear to be the tips of a position marker similar to the "target" Jeff Treadway error shown below. You can see the first black dot directly below the lettering (In this case the "Y" in Randy). The other black dot is directly to the left of the vertical white bar (In this case below the "J" in Johnson). I've also noticed the "target" appears very similar to the "blue line" noted below. You may also notice that the dot below the "Y" is horizontal and the dot below the "J" is vertical - this would lead me to believe the "cross" was on the left side.
IDENTIFY:
THE "A" RUN IS BASICALLY THE "RED RUN" - RED IN BACKGROUND.
THE "B" RUN IS BASICALLY THE "GREEN/SCRIBBLE RUN" - GREEN IN BACKGROUND. ALTHOUGH BOTH B/C RUNS HAVE GREEN IN FIELD. THE "C" RUN IS DIFFERENT SINCE THE DARK GREEN IN THE "FIELD" IS ADDED ON TOP OF THE LIGHT BLUE.
THE "C" RUN IS BASICALLY THE "LIGHT BLUE RUN" - LIGHT BLUE IN BACKGROUND. YOU CAN IDENTIFY THIS BY THE LIGHT BLUE IN THE BACKGROUND ESPECIALLY VISIBLE IN THE "BUBBLE".
THE "D" RUN IS BASICALLY THE "DARK BLUE RUN" - DARK BLUE IN BACKGROUND. YOU CAN IDENTIFY THIS BY THE DARK BLUE IN THE BACKGROUND ESPECIALLY VISIBLE IN THE "RED STENCIL" VERSION.
"Box" Run (Stage 7):
*The "Box" definition is typically determined when NO letters of "Marlboro" are no longer visible AND can no longer be associated with previous characteristics of the "run".
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THE YELLOW REPRESENTS THE "FRAME".
THE RED REPRESENTS THE "AWNING".
THE GREEN REPRESENTS THE "FIELD".
THE BLUE REPRESENTS THE "LETTERS".
THE ORANGE REPRESENTS THE "BUBBLE".
THE BLACK REPRESENTS THE "COWBOY".
THE WHITE REPRESENTS THE "GAP".
THE PURPLE REPRESENTS THE "ARENA".
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COMMOTION:
In the early months of 1989 the majority of card collectors and dealers were focused on the Bill Ripken fiasco. While dealers and collectors alike knew the 1989 Fleer set was littered with errors they were focusing on pulling the Ripken error or Griffey RC. They bypassed what was the biggest blunder of them all... the Randy Johnson Marlboro ad. Go ahead kids, smoke away! Most people in 1989 could not understand how Fleer missed the Bill Ripken obscentity - well here's your reason! They were busy trying to fix what they surely knew was a bigger problem. A curse word barely ledgible on a bat is nothing compared to how smoking is looked upon in society and with the kid factor thrown in there this was as bad as it could be. Not even alcohol or main lining heroin is looked down upon as much. This was no small four letter word written on a piece of equipment 1/100th the size of the card, this was a huge smoking ad right by the head of the player taking up perhaps 1/10th of the entire card! Likely a mad scramble ensued at first which resulted in so few of the original picture (stage 1) being released and a quick fix was made as soon as possible to darken the mistake. This actually worked for the public by and by was unaware for some twenty years. All of the variations was indeed a headache for the owners at Fleer as the Bill Ripken picture sited below highlights one with "make it look professional". Likely due to all of the "non professional" attempts with the Randy Johnson card. This was due to the printing facilities of the era. Nowadays with modern printing machines it would cease to exist. A few others cards in the 89 Fleer set also had "Marlboro" ads visible however this was the only one that they tried to cover up. A few factors can be determined as to why this particular sign was such a issue. For starters this was the only sign that had all the "letters" legible. The rest are incomplete or blurry.
PROCESS:
Fleer had to deal with this issue before the Billy Ripken error so at that time they had not yet finalized their process which resulted in all the attempts you see on "index" page. Keep in mind regardless of how many facilities were producing the card and regardless of how they altered the card and regardless of which order I currently have them in - a clear and limited process was used. This is easy to see when you compare one to another.
TIMELINE:
A lot of theorys exist on when the variations were produced. I saw a live break on a box with case code of 90042 (1st digit is the year, next three is the day of the year and final is belived to be the factory that produced it). This means the box was produced Jan. 4th 1989 by the 2nd factory if all above is correct and what was pulled was the final blacked out version (Stage 8). This would mean at least the second factory had corrected it completetly by the first fews days of 1989. One of the photos of one of the players was taken between Jun. 24th-June 26th 1988. This means the longest stretch possible is 06/26/88-01/03/89 but that does not take into account how long from photo to print or the latest confirmed date of variation production which will shorten that span quite a lot.
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INDEX 1A-8D UPDATES:
(66% complete on review, may not be adding enhanced pictures to index as long as everything is complete)
*Final "box" switch confirmed. "Green Box" has light blue background in "field" visible*.
*"Green" box can have the greenish look in the background OR does not have it. The light blue is still visible in the "field" on both. The greenish look is just a byproduct of the printing process and even appears on some of the final fully blacked out versions (Stage 8). Why the greenish look applying to only this particular "box" version is likely due to the use of the same printing machine.
*The process is in near complete status with a exception of the missing D2. Variations is 24 (6-12 from each factory) without counting Stage 1 or Stage 8. My guess would be each factory had two different printing machines (Topps had a similar setup if i remember correctly).
*I looked closer at D3. You can see that the "awning", "cowboy" and "letters" are greyed out which is obviously not the original color. This leads me to believe the grey is either a "add on" color which would mean the base (D2) is all dark blue or the dark blue is the "add on" color which would mean the base (D2) is all grey. It is more than likely at this point the first option is the most likely "all dark blue" for the base (D2). Until it is confirmed however leaving as a grey/dark blue base description.
*Rareity based on how many estimated copies exist per 10k/100k/1m of the total error variations. S.R.P is the suggested retail price per rarity after the grading market and collector market indetify/label/realize the scarcity of each variation listed. IE: Future price. Up Arrow is "going up". Down Arrow is "going down".
Rareity /Multipler (1X=$2.00)
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | ↑30000X-100000X |
| Stage A2 | 200X-1000X |
| Stage A3 | ↑125X-↑250X |
| Stage A4 | 150X-300X |
| Stage A5 | ↓30X-↓60X |
| Stage A6 | 60X-150X |
| Stage A7 | 10X-20X |
| Stage B2 | ↑150X-↑300X |
| Stage B3 | ↑15000X-↑45000X |
| Stage B4 | ↑40X-↑100X |
| Stage B5 | ↑400X-↑800X |
| Stage B6 | 25X-50X |
| Stage B7 | 2X-5X |
| Stage C2 | ↑10000X-↑30000X |
| Stage C3 | ↑1000X-↑3000X |
| Stage C4 | ↓25X-↓50X |
| Stage C5 | ↑200X-↑400X |
| Stage C6 | 40X-80X |
| Stage C7 | 10X-20X |
| Stage D2 | ↑500000X-1000000X |
| Stage D3 | ↑5000X-↑15000X |
| Stage D4 | ↑10000X-↑20000X |
| Stage D5 | ↑10X-↑20X |
| Stage D6 | ↑25X-↑50X |
| Stage D7 | ↑50X-↑100X |
| Stage 8 | ↑1.5X-4X |
| The most common "variations" are the "box" versions and "red stencil" version. The red "box" versions are slightly rarer than the green/pink "box" versions. The black "box" version appears to be the rarest of the "box" run. | I went through all of PSA's graded variations and believe I did see a few C3's "purple tint" but am not sure yet. It is still rare but more than likely now not as rare as I once believed. |
| The "Red Stencil" is the most common of all the variations. I can not tell you how many times the "mystery" variation would wind up being the "Red Stencil" and my disappointment complete. I'm not sure why so many of these were produced compared to the others but it's many times more common than ALL combined variations. This means let's say you have a total of a 100 random variations, more than a quarter of them will be the "red stencil" version. It may seem like it has variations to it however it does not, simply letters appearing darker/lighter in slightly different positions due to the printing process. | B3 is hard to determine where it belongs consecutively. When colors are added on top it's hard to determine because of the printing process descirbed below. Let's say you printed version B2 over and over and thus becoming lighter then add a color on top it may look like it belongs after or before another. The dark green background ie: "field" looks closer to B5/B2 (dark green tint) while the "letters" appear closer to B2. |
| The early "D" run variations are rare (D2-D4) as are the early "C" run variations. (C2-C3). The B3 version is especially rare and quite unique in it's own right. Splotches of dark green in the "field" with dark red on top of the "letters" including a near white "bubble" it resembles a piece of art work. | The case codes and factory identification methods out there really are not accurate enough to identify which versions ran the shortest. If you expect me to believe that Stage 1 ran for two weeks which according to that logic is nearly half of the entire variation run then we would see nearly half of all the variations as Stage 1. Obviously that is not the case - no pun intended. |
| A2-A4 multipliers are mainly due to the clarity level, typically these are graded as "Marlboro ad on scoreboard" by grading companies and thus currently demand higher prices. A2 may seem like it has different versions but again this is only due to the printing of the card over and over making it look lighter or darker depending on when it was produced in the print run. | Please know quite a few variations appear to have more than one variation to it but this is only the printing process printing the same image over and over (especially a altered version) resulting in darker and lighter shades of the same version. This is the case for A2, B2, D5 to name a few. |
| The "dark scribble" version (B5) appears 5X rarer than the "light scribble" version (B4). | D3 & D4 currently difficult to determine which is rarer. Both extremely rare. |
| My best assumption why B3 is so rare is because their objective was to make the "letters" appear unreadable, when they saw the "letters" still legible (B3) they quickly decided to "scribble" out all of them (B4-B5). | The more I realize the abundance of D5 and the scarcity of D2,D3,D4 makes me believe they altered the card quickly at the begining (D3/D4) which led to smaller amounts being created and let D5 run more to make up the difference. It makes sense over all if you think about it. |
| IF the "scribble" versions, in particular B4 is more common we can more than likely assume it caused B3 to be so rare. B7 is also very common. | IF above is true and let's say D5 is 25x more common then it would be realistic to assume D2-D4 is 25x more rare. |
| It makes sense that each printing machine HAD to make a certain amount of the card during the variation run. We know that they had to do so with the Bill Ripken and in fact had to create it's own sheet to meet the production demand. | Due to this "production demand" it has more than likely caused the "box" versions to run more and thus be more common than the others. |
Stage 1-8 description.
"Although all the "partial" variations are less clear they remind me of taking dirt off a coin to reveal it's rarity".
Stage 1- This is the "raw" version before any corrections were made to the card. Uncut sheets and Factory sets do not have this card. This was issued in 1988 and very few copies made it out of the factory before the error and variations were made. Estimated total population is under 1000 total copies.
Stage A2- This is what is commonly referred to as "Marlboro Ad Visible". The versions of this variation appear to have the most clarity over all. Splotches of red cover the "letters", "field" and "awning".
Stage B2- This is what is commonly referred to as "Light/Dark Green Tint". Green has been added mostly to the "field". You can see the first few "letters" covered in red as well. This version commonly gets graded as "Marlboro Ad on Scoreboard" less than A2.
Stage C2- This is what is commonly referred to as "Light Blue Base". This rarity is not commonly graded as "Marlboro Ad On Scoreboard" even though it should.
Stage D2- Grey/Dark Blue Base. Before Grey/dark blue is added.
Stage A3- Added red to "Marlboro Sign Visible" version. This version appears cleaner overall color wise. All the remaining white splotches have been covered with red. This has caused the first O in "Marlboro" to have a green semi circle around it. This green semi circle is on the original sign. It just appears more visible due to the overall uniform red cover up.
Stage B3- Added red to ""Light/Dark Green Tint" version. This is coined as "Art Piece" variation. This variation is very rare. I have yet to see any confirmed graded or even listed on E-Bay. B2 can be seen under it. Red has been added to the "letters", "field", "awning" yet has dark green under tones poping through giving it a "art" look.
Stage C3- Added red to "field", "awning", "letters". "Purple Tint". "Bubble" in light blue. This version is interesting. For starters the "Cowboy" is lit up like a neon sign which is very cool IMO. Appears when red was added to the light blue base it turned the entire "Field", "Letters", "Awning" to purple.
Stage D3- This is what is commonly referred to as "Dark Blue Base". First time dark blue added.
Stage A4- Added additional red to "Added red" to "Marlboro Sign Visible" version. Obsecured sign more (darker). The version has a dark red look and the "letters" appear darker.
Stage B4- Scribbled "Marlboro" letters. This is commonly referred to as "Light Scribble" version. Sometimes this version actually gets graded as "Marlboro Sign On Billboard". This is the most common of all the "scribble" versions.
Stage C4- Added green to the "field" of the "Light Blue Base". "Bubble" in light blue.
Stage D4- Added green to "Dark Blue Base". "Letters" in green.
Stage A5- Added amounts of red to "Added red" to "Marlboro Sign Visible" version. Red, red and more red. This version the "letters" appear even more unreadable.
Stage B5- Scribbled "Marlboro" letters. This is commonly referred to as "Dark Scribble" version. This version may be rarer than I realize. I have two myself and have seen a few on sites etc. bu overall it is greatly less common than B4. The contrasts on this version is fantastic. Dark Green & Dark Red - reminds me of playing RISK.
Stage C5- Added red on top of green to entire "field", "awning", "letters" & "frame". "Light Blue Base". "Bubble" in light blue.
Stage D5- This is what is commonly referred to as "Red Stencil" version. "Letters" in green. Most common of all variations.
Stage A6- Added final amounts of red to "Added red" to "Marlboro Sign Visible" version.
Stage B6- Added red to "Scribbled" darkened version.
Stage C6- Added more red on top of green on top of "Light Blue Base". "Bubble" in light blue. By this point it is near "box" and in fact more sites reconize this as a "box" version.
Stage D6- Added red to "Red Stencil" version. This version the "letters" are no longer visible in green.
Stage A7- This is what is commonly referred to as "Red Box". Over all appearence is red, "letters" barely legible still.
Stage B7- This is what is commonly referred to as "Pink Box". Over all appearence in "field", "awning", "letters" is pink. Big "bubble".
Stage C7- This is what is commonly referred to as "Green Box". Over all appearence is greenish in "frame" SOMETIMES.
Stage D7- This is what is commonly referred to as "Black Box". Over all appearence is "black" due to dark "field" etc.
Stage 8- The final corrected version. The "Gap" as shown in picture is filled in with black, entire sign and back ground is covered in black. A "over lap" as seen in picture is visible going over the card border and into the frame.
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Alternative attempts:
-Junkwaxgems: Attempted but labeled "dark red box" when clearly it was a simple "Red Stencil" version and did not attempt any explanation or realize a order or process.
-PSA Gallery: A nice attempt but has not explained or gathered all the variations.
-The PSA system is very flawed. They have "Partial" graded as complete blackout, blackout as "Partial" and on numerous occasions have graded "Marlboro sign on scoreboard" to versions they also label as "Partial". I've even seen graded "Marlboro on Scoreboard" to completely blacked out versions. Click "full mis-labeled variations" for just a few of the multitude of mis-labels. They seem more confused than FLEER itself on the issue.
-The BGS systems is seriously flawed and limited. I've seen "Error Box", "Green Tint", "Red Tint" and "Marlboro Ad" but that's pretty much it.
-None of the other or current grading companies have more than four descriptions. CGC/CSG/GAI/SGC/BGS/PSA/GMA etc.
A PICTURE OF SOME VARIATIONS FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION.
Additional Viewpoint:
My personal favorite version is the dark scribble (B5). I love the dark contrasts. (B3) is a piece of artwork. The newly added "purple tint" (C3) is pretty fly as well.
If you take a closer look at (D3-D4) you may notice a exact effort to add green to the "letters", "cowboy", "awning" and "frame". Strange they did not bother with the "field" at all and left it. Logically it should of been easier to add it to the entire area.
Took awhile to realize that C4,C5 & C6 were not part of the "B" run (Green). Green was added to the "field". Eventually was able to realize the difference (light blue "bubble") and a few other traits.
I see some mix-matched colors in the frame especially visible on the top of the frame. Green/red etc. It's more than possible the entire "frame" and everything inside it was altered. Could be just difficult to realize this and where and what colors were added since the "frame" is mostly black and regardless of which colors get added would still remain blackish.
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Website Status:
*UPDATED:04/01/25*
-Added additional pages for quicker reference.
-Added ↑↓ to future price chart.
-Multiplier chart will be updated 1st every month based off new information and market sales.
-Added 89 Fleer additional errors which include 2 newly discovered.
*STATUS:99.9625%*
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In Progress/Construction:
-Need D2 picture.0.025%
-Need final confirmation of entire index with updated clearer pictures. 0.0125%
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Case Codes:
82361 83552 90271
83222 83562 90931
83281 90042 90961
83282 90111 91312
83362 90122 91252
83412 90142 91571
83421 90161
83422 90162
83432 90201
83482 90231
External Links:
Information regarding 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken #616 Errors. Thank you Jon!
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