1986/87 Fleer Basketball Unopened (36 Pack) Wax Box (BBCE)---- 1986 Fleer Basketball is arguably one of the most important issues in the hobby and industry. Vintage collectors might claim that sets like 1948 Bowman, 1957 Topps, or 1961 Fleer hold that title. Modern collectors, on the other hand, may point to landmark releases such as the PMG inserts, Upper Deck Exquisite, or Prizm. Yet, collectors from both eras could likely agree that 1986 Fleer Basketball stands as one of the most significant sets ever produced.

This release marked Fleer's triumphant return to player-issued basketball cards after a 25-year hiatus, representing a true landmark in sports card collecting. Then, of course, there’s the content of the set itself. It includes the first mainstream rookie card of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan. Comparing GOAT players across generations or sports may not be entirely fair to any athlete, but among his peers during his playing career, no one did it better than Jordan. Beyond Jordan’s iconic card, the set also features numerous mainstream rookie cards of other Hall of Fame players from that era. With just 132 cards, this small set is packed with key rookie cards and Hall of Famers, making it a true cornerstone of basketball card collecting. Barkley, Ewing, Malone, Wilkins, Olajuwon are just some of the other examples of rookie Hall of Fame issued cards. 

The box presented in this lot is an exceptionally clean example, featuring NM-MT+ packs that appear untouched, with no evidence of shuffling or movement since the product’s release. While it does not have perfect sticker collation, it includes four Michael Jordan rookie stickers on the backs of the packs. This well-preserved treasure is a testament to one of the most important issues ever made in sports card collecting. For any unopened collector, this box represents a crown jewel and a critical step toward achieving the status of an “advanced unopened collector.”