1990 Pro Set Dexter Manley “NEVER released”

6 Mar

I keep a vast archive of old hobby publications, especially those ca. 1989-1993, the junkiest of the junk wax era. Typically I only keep pertinent and “lost” information such as old company news releases, old letters from collectors reporting their unusual findings, old product info/ads and articles outlining error and variation items of this period. Recently, I came across an advertisement by a company called 49er Headquarters, who, by 1993, seemed to be holding a decent amount of rare and/or hard to find Pro Set items: 1989 promos, 10-up sheets of Dickerson 338, Lombardi Holos and…Dexter Manley substance abuse error cards. For $124.99!

While it is just their word, in their ad blurb, I find it interesting (and likely) that they mention that the Manley substance abuse card was never released. Personally, I do not know one collector who can confirm pulling one out of sealed Final Update sets. Same for the No Bio cards. The only confirmed “source” of the Manley errors was a 10-up sheet found in a trash pile, revealed by a commenter here under the 1990 Pro Set rarities post (which, fyi, they had cut up and sold on ebay). I’m interested in hearing from collectors on this card and if anyone has any solid info to counter the ad’s claim. I will say, if true, it is very disappointing to me as I’ve opened hundreds of these sets over the years, even recently at their very-inflated current price point.

4 Responses to “1990 Pro Set Dexter Manley “NEVER released””

  1. Wayne draper March 6, 2023 at 7:58 pm #

    Would this be the same with the reverse t card where it looks like phojo for being upside down?

    • Dylan March 6, 2023 at 8:39 pm #

      Hi Wayne,

      Re: Pjoto version: I have definitely pulled the “backwards t” version from sealed sets.

      Re: the substance version: On one hand, I can believe the cards never made it into packs, as the ad claims. On the other hand, I have noticed how the Manley card always has a different shade of burgundy borders than the other Cardinals, which would suggest they made separate sheets of corrections to swap out during pack-out. Hoping to hear more on this.

      • Wayne draper March 7, 2023 at 2:09 am #

        Thanks for the info so 2 Manley’s are legit and 2 are from sheets, this is good to know as I need the substance and no bio versions, may wait until I find them cheap if possible

      • Dylan March 7, 2023 at 5:57 am #

        Purely speculation at this point but it is possible that both of the tough Manleys or just the substance abuse variation come from sheets only.

        This ad is the first time I’ve heard that they were never released.

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