In 1991, just after the enormous success of 1990 Leaf Baseball as Donruss’ entry into the ‘premium’ card market, the other companies were looking to launch a high-end line of cards. Fleer put together a set that was to be called ‘Elite‘ but because Donruss already had a major insert set by the same name, Fleer was forced to change the name to ‘Ultra‘ just before release.
The above images are from a 1991 SCD Basketball, Football, Hockey Collector magazine ad. This is the best image that’s out there for these samples, as far as I know. Notice how the card logos are blacked-out, recalling Fleer’s Bill Ripken bat-handle editing technique. I have no idea whether this is the doing of the dealers who were running the ads, possibly at Fleer’s behest, or if Fleer sent them samples or mock-ups with the blacked-out logos.
Makes you wonder if any physical samples are out there. Either blacked-out or with the Elite logos. I know I’d love to add a Robin Ventura to my collection!
Junk Wax Gems 
They are really out there as a matter of fact I am in possession of two of them. I never turned them in during the recall.
Please email a scan, I’d love to add it the post.
Do you have the fleer Elite cards ?
Please email me richtree@gmail.com
I know I’m about 5 years late but if you have any rare Canseco cards as well, I’d LOVE to hear! My email is tanmanbaseballfan@gmail.com
Suuuper-late, but those look a lot like 1992 Ultra.
Also wanted to say I just found a potential variation on the 1990 Donruss #716 Giamatti card. On two of my five cards, in the third paragraph, the “ent” in “President” and “of the” and “Nati”, and also a line below “nt” and “of Yale” and “U” in University are faded. The line below only “the ta” is faded. It’s in the exact same spot and with the same consistency on only two cards. My scanner isn’t working and camera is terrible, but I can send some pics eventually. In the meantime might wanna look for that on your cards!
1991 Ultra rather.
Yes, this is explained in the blog post.