1990 Topps Superstar Cal Ripken Jr. #44
Cal Ripken Jr. · Topps · Subset / Insert
Player
Cal Ripken Jr.
Set
1990 Topps Superstar
Year
1990
Card #
#44
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (Excellent). Visible crease running vertically near the bottom center affects both the surface and structure. Centering is heavily shifted to the right. Corners show slight softening.
Category
Subset / Insert
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low. While Ripken is a massively popular player to collect, this specific card was mass-produced during the 'Junk Wax' era and has significant condition issues that lower its appeal to serious collectors.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.50 - $2.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-20, PSA 9: $35-50, PSA 10: $150+. Due to the visible crease, this specific card is not a candidate for grading.
Comparable Sales
Recent sales of raw copies in better condition range from $1.00 to $3.00. High-grade PSA 10 copies have sold for $100-$200, but lower-grade copies (PSA 6 or lower) rarely sell as the grading fees aren't worth the investment.
Description
This 1990 Topps Superstar Cal Ripken Jr. card features the legendary Iron Man in a classic batting stance against a vibrant red background. The card includes his 1989 season stats and career totals in a yellow box at the bottom. The 'SUPERSTAR' text runs vertically in white with stars, and the card is framed by a white border.
Key Features
Features Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. Part of a specific collectors subset produced by Topps in 1990. Iconic junk-wax era design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. This is an original 1990 card stock. These cards are not typically counterfeited due to high production volume and low individual value. The dot-matrix printing pattern in the colored areas is consistent with Topps production from this era.
Flaws to Note
A heavy vertical crease is visible starting from the bottom edge and moving up into the red field. The card is poorly centered (heavily biased toward the right side). General edge wear and slight corner softening are present.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a lot on eBay, or sold individually in a 'dollar bin' at a local card show. The shipping cost for a single sale often exceeds the card's value.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card. The grading fee would significantly exceed the card's market value. If selling on eBay, use a 'Plain White Envelope' (PWE) shipping method to keep costs down for the buyer. It is best used as a starter card for a young collector or added to a Cal Ripken Jr. player lot.