1987 Donruss Bo Jackson Rated Rookie #35
Bo Jackson · Donruss · Rookie Card (RC), Rated Rookie
Player
Bo Jackson
Set
1987 Donruss Baseball
Year
1987
Card #
#35
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) to PSA 7 (Near Mint)
Category
Rookie Card (RC), Rated Rookie
Manufacturer
Donruss
Demand Level
Strong. Bo Jackson remains one of the most popular 'non-HOF' players in the hobby due to his cultural impact as a dual-sport athlete. Collectors are always looking for clean copies of his 1987 rookies.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $25-30, PSA 7: $40-50, PSA 8: $75-90
Comparable Sales
Raw copies in similar condition sell for roughly $15-22. PSA 9 (Mint) copies currently trend between $250-300, while PSA 10 (Gem Mint) copies can reach $1,500+, illustrating the massive premium on high-condition black-border cards.
Description
This is the iconic 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie card featuring multi-sport legend Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals. The card features a black bordered design with the classic 'Rated Rookie' logo in the bottom right corner. Bo is pictured in his powder blue Royals jersey with his signature eye-black. The card is currently housed in a vintage screw-down case (not recommended for long-term storage).
Key Features
This is one of Bo Jackson's most recognizable rookie cards. The 'Rated Rookie' designation is highly collectible among vintage enthusiasts. The black borders make it extremely difficult to find in high grades because any chipping or corner wear is immediately visible.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity confidence is High. The dot-matrix pattern in the 'Rated Rookie' logo and the specific typeface of the 'Donruss 87' logo are consistent with originals. This card was mass-produced, so counterfeits are rare compared to the 1986 Donruss The Rookies version.
Flaws to Note
The black borders show visible chipping and white touch-points on the corners. The centering appears slightly heavy toward the top. The screw-down holder poses a major risk of surface compression (pancaking), which can lead to an 'Altered' grade or point deductions for surface damage. There is a visible scratch or streak on its sleeve/case that may or may not be on the card surface itself.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best volume platform for this card. For a higher-end graded copy, COMC or MySlabs are preferred. Because of the screw-down case, selling it locally at a card show to a buyer who can inspect the surface is also a good option.
Selling Tips
Remove the card from the screw-down case immediately and place it in a penny sleeve and a new top loader. Screw-downs can flatten the card's fibers over time, damaging the grade. For listing, use keywords like '1987 Donruss Bo Jackson RC #35 Rated Rookie'. Do not grade unless it is pristine; the cost of grading often exceeds the value of a mid-grade (6-7) copy.