1991 Swell Baseball Greats Elroy Face #23
Elroy Face · Swell (Philadelphia Gum) · Base / Legend Insert Set
Player
Elroy Face
Set
1991 Swell Baseball Greats
Year
1991
Card #
#23
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint). Reasons: Centering is heavily shifted to the top-left; right and bottom borders are significantly wider. Corners show slight wear, and there is a visible nick on the right edge. Surface appears clean with vibrant colors.
Category
Base / Legend Insert Set
Manufacturer
Swell (Philadelphia Gum)
Demand Level
Low. Primarily of interest to Pittsburgh Pirates team collectors or Elroy Face player fans. This is part of a mass-produced set from the overproduction era.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $10-15; PSA 8: $20-30; PSA 9: $45-60 (Note: Grading fees exceed market value for this card).
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies of this card range from $0.99 to $2.50 plus shipping. Graded copies are rare because of the low market value, but similar HOF/Legend cards from this set in PSA 9 usually sell for under $25.
Description
This 1991 Swell Baseball Greats card features legendary Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Elroy Face in a classic pitching crouch. The card utilizes a throwback design with a bright yellow border, 'BASEBALL GREATS' text along the left side, and the iconic Swell bubble gum logo in the top right. The player's name and position are clearly displayed in a red footer bar. It is a nostalgic tribute card produced during the early 90s junk wax era.
Key Features
Features 3-time World Series champion and forkball pioneer Elroy Face; iconic yellow-border design often collected by Pirates aficionados.
Authenticity Indicators
Swell cards from 1991 have a specific semi-gloss card stock that is thinner than modern premium sets but thicker than vintage Topps. Print dots should be visible under a loupe in the yellow borders. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Significant centering issues (OC) leaning toward the top-left corner; minor edge chipping on the right side; slight corner softening on the bottom left.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Low-PCO/PWE listing), COMC (Check Out My Cards), or as part of a lot at a local card show in the Pittsburgh area.
Selling Tips
Avoid grading this card as the service fee is higher than the card's ceiling value. List it with 'PWE' (Plain White Envelope) shipping for $1.00-$1.50 to attract team collectors without high shipping costs. Mention the Pittsburgh Pirates in the title.