The 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card is one of the major error cards from a junk wax era set famous for having an overabundance of error cards. Error card collectors have been fascinated by the 1988 Topps set.
The set is filled with errors ranging from misprints to incorrect player photos. We’ve previously explored the most valuable 1988 Topps error cards, including this card.
However, this article focuses exclusively on the 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card.
What type of error card this is, what led to the error, and the value of the 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card in today’s market?
Shop for the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card on eBay
Alois Terry Leiter is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1984 MLB draft as a second-round pick and made his MLB debut as the starting pitcher for the Yankees on September 15, 1987.
Leiter’s career spanned from 1987 to 2005, during which he played for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets.
A two-time National League All-Star player, Leiter pitched for three World Series-winning teams and threw a no-hitter in 1996 during his tenure with the Marlins.
Leiter’s most productive season in his 19-year career came with the Mets. He secured double-digit victories in each season with the franchise.
He ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in wins (95), innings (1,360) and strikeouts (1,106). As a member of the New York Mets, Leiter was named the recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
Topps’ 1988 baseball set has all the hallmarks of a classic junk wax era set. However, unlike most junk wax era sets, the 1988 Topps baseball set has a lot of nostalgic appeal.
Many collectors who grew up collecting these cards feel a deep sentimental connection to the 1988 Topps set. Collectors love the look and feel of 1988 Topps baseball cards.
For content, it was an extensive set with a 792-card checklist highlighting all the era’s top stars. It also contained rookie cards of future Hall of Fame players such as Tom Glavine and Roberto Alomar.
Its design was one of the company’s most straightforward. Large player photos have a thin-coloured frame, which gives way to a white border. The player’s name is in block letters in a diagonal strip at the bottom-right of the card.
The team’s name stands out at the top of the card, hovering behind the player’s image. The card backs of the set are orange and have complete player stats.
Beyond the lineup of players, the 1988 Topps Baseball card set features a few subsets and inserts. These include:
Shop for the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card on eBay
Rookie cards are considered a big deal and especially valued as they represent the first official card of a player’s career. The 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card is one of the notable and lasting errors in this set.
Instead of featuring the rookie pitcher Al Leiter, the card displays a photo of fellow Yankees pitcher Steve George.
Error cards in the hobby range from minor errors, such as typographical mistakes and printing issues, to major errors, such as featuring the wrong player image or incorrect team information. This misprinted image makes it a significant error, as confusing one player for another—especially in a rookie card.
What makes this error particularly significant, aside from the fact that it’s a rookie card, is the fact that it was corrected.
The error was spotted sometime during the print run, and the error was corrected. However, many cards featuring Steve George had already entered the market.
Shop for the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card on eBay
On the premiere episode of MLB’s Carded, Al Leiter tells the whole story behind this famous error card. You can watch the full story here on the MLB’s website.
The story behind this mishap is a fascinating tale of mistaken identity. Al Leiter, a relatively unknown rookie at the time, was number 56. Coincidentally, another player, Steve George, had the initials “SG” emblazoned on his glove.
When Topps photographers took Leiter’s picture, they mistakenly assumed the player with the “SG”, which looked like 56, was Al Leiter. Since this was Al Leiter’s rookie card and he wasn’t a well-known face, the error went unnoticed until sometime into the printing run.
As a result, Steve George’s photo was printed on Al Leiter’s rookie card. Topps quickly issued a corrected version of the card, but the error version remains a unique and exciting piece for collectors.
Nowadays, you wonder how Topps would be able to make that mistake. However, remember that this was in 1988, and the quality control practices weren’t what they are today.
Shop for the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card on eBay
Indeed, the 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card is an interesting piece for error collectors. It’s a major error on a rookie card, and Al Leiter went on to have an impressive MLB career. However, it’s important to note that the 1988 Topps set is a junk wax-era set.
As a result, millions of these cards are in circulation. Despite the error and Al Leiter’s successful career, the sheer volume of cards printed during this era has ensured that this card wouldn’t ever be worth much.
The value of the 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card ranges from lows of $0.01 to over $129. We shall consider the last 5 recorded sales of both versions of this card on the PSA, the error card and the corrected version.
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (NO “NY” ON SHIRT) | $33 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (NO “NY” ON SHIRT) | $14 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (NO “NY” ON SHIRT) | $16.99 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (NO “NY” ON SHIRT) | $29.59 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (“NY” ON SHIRT) | $20.50 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (“NY” ON SHIRT) | $29.99 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (“NY” ON SHIRT) | $34 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (“NY” ON SHIRT) | $19.99 |
1988 Topps Al Leiter #18 (“NY” ON SHIRT) | $14.99 |
While the card’s error and Al Leiter’s career achievements make it an interesting card, its value is constrained by just how many cards were printed.
There’s an overabundance of supply to fulfill the market demand and then some more.
Shop for the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card on eBay
While the 1988 Topps Al Leiter Rookie error card might not have much monetary value, it’s one of the standout error cards from the 1988 Topps set. What makes this card so special is the error itself and the fact that it involves a key player’s rookie card.
For error card collectors, this card would make a great addition to any collection. While it may not be rare, the 1988 Topps Al Leiter rookie error card continues to spark conversation and fascination among hardcore hobbyists.
It is a perfect example of how a mistake can become a lasting part of trading card lore, adding charm to the history of the 1988 Topps set. If you’d like to read about all the errors in the 1988 Topps set, this article covers that.
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