Item Details

Set Description: Randomly inserted in packs, this seven-card set is a parallel version of the the regular 1998 Donruss Elite Back to the Future insert set and contains the first 100 cards of the regular set signed by both pictured players. Card number six does not exist. Cal Ripken did not sign card number 1 along with Paul Konerko. Ripken eventually signed 200 separate cards. One hundred special redemptions (rather bland black and white text-based cards) were issued for the Ripken card and randomly seeded into packs. In addition, lucky collectors that pulled one of the first 100 serial numbered Back to the Future Konerko autograph cards could exchange it for a Ripken autograph AND still receive their Konerko autograph back. The first 100 of each card were autographed by both players pictured on the card. There is no autographed card number six. Due to problems in obtaining Frank Thomas' autograph prior to the shipping deadline for the parallel signed Back to the Future cards, the manufacturer was forced to make the first 100 serial numbered cards of card number 6 a redemption for a special Frank Thomas autographed card (a basic 1998 Donruss Elite Thomas card, embossed with a special stamp and signed by Thomas on front). Due to Pinnacle's bankruptcy, the exchange program was abruptly halted in late 1998. Prior to this, the serial numbered 1-100 Thomas/Ortiz cards traded for as much as $300. After this date, the premiums disappeared entirely.