Back to the Basics - MJ Binder Project

[topgemcards]

I’ve been out of the hobby since June due to personal reasons. Over the course of 32 years collecting basketball cards, my journey has had its ups and downs; times where life, priorities, and personal circumstances forced me to part with pieces or entire collections.

Going through some old photos, I came across this one of me sorting through Michael Jordan cards. It instantly brought me back to simpler times when collecting was purely about the joy of the hobby, not the likes, trends, or comparisons. Just me, some cards, and that feeling of excitement when adding a new MJ to the binder.

This photo reminded me why I started collecting in the first place. The hobby doesn’t have to be a race or a competition; it should be something that brings peace, nostalgia, and joy.

I’ve always been a Jordan collector at heart. Sure, I’ve chased LeBron and Penny cards along the way, but MJ has always been the core of my passion.

So here’s to getting back to the basics; collecting for the love of the game and the memories that come with it.

[FrankAZHP]

I love this and want to see some updates on the journey. Would love this to be a thread I can come back to every week to a year or whenever posts are made and see the passion and fun radiate.

[AbraCalabro]

simpler times when collecting was purely about the joy of the hobby, not the likes, trends, or comparisons.

[Deadshot]

This is great and I'm glad you shared it

[topgemcards]

UPDATE #1

The intent with this project is to build an MJ collection in toploader binders all in NM-MT condition (Pack Fresh). I am using the Trading Card Database as a checklist to ensure I am chasing all MJ’s licensed cards, as well as some PROMOs, Prototypes, and ads such as Tony’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Drake’s, Team Sheets, among others, but also to ensure they are stored by year, in alphabetical and numerical order.

Currently working on 1989-90 through 1991-92 (I will dive into 1986-87 through 1988-89 at a later time) - Here is what I am missing to complete this current phase:

1989-90 Fleee #21
1989-90 Hoops All-Star (Perforated)
1990-91 Hoops All-Star (Perforated)
1990-91 Hoops Base (100 Superstars)
1990-91 Hoops (Collect-A-Books)
1990-91 Skybox (Prototypes)
1991-92 Fleer Base (Tony’s Pizza)
1991-92 Fleer All-Star Game #233 (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Fleer Team Leader #375 (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Fleer Pro-Visions (Wheaties)
1991-92 Hoops (Prototypes)
1991-92 Hoops Base (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops Base (100 Superstars)
1991-92 Hoops NBA Champions #543 (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops USA #579 (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops MVP All-Star (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops Slam Dunk (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops McDonald’s #5
1991-92 Hoops McDonald’s USA (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Hoops McDonald’s Team USA
1991-92 Skybox Base (Canadian Minis)
1991-92 Skybox Stats #307 (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Skybox Michael Vs. Magic (Purchased - Enroute)
1991-92 Skybox USA #534
1991-92 Skybox USA #545
1991-92 Skybox Salutes #572
1991-92 Skybox Skyview #583
1991-92 Skybox Team USA NNO
1991-92 Skybox USA (Mark and See Minis)
1991-92 Upper Deck All-Star #69 (Text Hologram)
1991-92 Upper Deck All-Star Checklist #449
1991-92 Upper Deck All-Star #452
1991-92 Upper Deck Both Holograms (#AW1 and #AW4)
1991-92 Upper Deck PROMO

Thanks for looking - I will try to post my progress as much as possible on my IG (topgemcards).

[AbraCalabro]

Those early days base cards are really some of the best looking with the best action photos.

P.S. post your progress on here too no just IG!

[FrankAZHP]

So you decided against including the Panini stickers?
As much as I hated Panini over the last 15 years I consider the sticker such a part of the 90s experience. They were in every grocery store checkout.

Also missing the 1991-92 Upper Deck Jordan promo card?

I might have one of these cards for you, not that they're particularly rare or anything but if I come across stuff I'll put it aside.

[topgemcards]

I will definitely post updates on this thread as well.

Those early days base cards are really some of the best looking with the best action photos.

P.S. post your progress on here too no just IG!

[topgemcards]

Not against, but not at this time. I will dive into those and other oddball type stuff at a later time.

And yes, I am missing the 1991-92 Upper Deck Promo; I missed it on the original post, but will update.

So you decided against including the Panini stickers?
As much as I hated Panini over the last 15 years I consider the sticker such a part of the 90s experience. They were in every grocery store checkout.

Also missing the 1991-92 Upper Deck Jordan promo card?

I might have one of these cards for you, not that they're particularly rare or anything but if I come across stuff I'll put it aside.

[topgemcards]

UPDATE #2 (1989-90 - 1991-92)

Here’s what I am missing to complete this phase:

1989-90 Hoops All-Star Perforated (Purchased - Enroute)
1990-91 Skybox Prototype
1991-92 Fleer (Tony’s Pizza)
1991-92 Fleer (Pro-Visions Wheaties)
1991-92 Hoops Prototype
1991-92 Hoops (100 Superstars)
1991-92 UD Holograms AW1 & AW4 (Purchased - Enroute)

[FrankAZHP]

Hellyeah! Love to see this progress!

[topgemcards]

UPDATE #3 (1989-90 - 1991-92)

Here’s what I am missing to complete this phase:

1991-92 Fleer (Pro-Visions Wheaties)
1991-92 Hoops Prototype
1991-92 Hoops (100 Superstars)

NOTE: I switched binders and loving the red details, and yes, I have started Phase 2, which is 1992-1993.

[mindcycle]

This is great! Not sure how I missed this thread when you first posted, but admittedly I’ve been slacking posting here in recent months.

I think the red binder works really well for Jordan. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the ones you need.

[SacKingsCards]

I’ll echo that I’m loving this thread and project. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a chronological checklist completed and displayed in a binder. I would love some thoughts on some personal favorites among those you’ve added thus far. Thanks for sharing!

[topgemcards]

I’ve been collecting MJs (on and off) for over 30 years now. However, I have always chased the higher end cards, and although I had an MJ binder many years ago, I have never been this thorough with chasing MJs. That said, I have enjoyed this new journey as I have discovered cards that I would have otherwise missed If I continued chasing higher end MJs. Some of my current favorites have to be some of the oddball MJs and the stories behind their existence. Cards like Fleer Tony’s Pizza for both 1991 and 1992, 1992 Skybox Canadian Minis as well as the Mark & See Minis to name a few. I am also enjoying learning about some of the different variations of cards. Some of the mainstream error cards are well known (like MJs “In Your Face”), but some are not as mainstream. For example, 1991-92, as well as 1992-93, Upper Deck has two different variations; one with the diamond hologram and the other with the text hologram. The 1991-92 Hoops Dream Team card also has two versions, one with “USA” on the back, and one without. It’s been fun to say the least.

I’ll echo that I’m loving this thread and project. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a chronological checklist completed and displayed in a binder. I would love some thoughts on some personal favorites among those you’ve added thus far. Thanks for sharing!

[SacKingsCards]

Love to read that topgem, it's definitely a no brainer that if you're a fan of a player, taking a comprehensive approach to their card releases is both interesting and rewarding. This is one of many cases that exemplifies why quality and quantity are no mutually exclusive.

[FrankAZHP]

Heads up I stashed some of the Collector's Choice international version Jordans for you. Base and subsets. I think some are Italian and some are German.

[topgemcards]

Update to my MJ Binder Project:

Currently working on 1992-93, while chasing the 1991-92 Hoops Prototype and 100 Superstars to complete Phase 1 (1989-1990 and 1991-92)

[SacKingsCards]

Amazing and beautiful. I think one of the great things about this project is you can see the progress so concretely so it’ll be satisfying while keeping you busy for a long time due to its scope.