The 1986-87 Fleer set was the first nationally distributed basketball set since Topps's 1981-82 issue, and it is the most famous basketball set ever made: 132 cards and eleven stickers, with Michael Jordan's rookie card at #57 and a deep class of other rookies besides. The cards run alphabetically by last name, and Magic Johnson is #53.
His photograph is from the biggest stage there was. Magic is in the air in the Lakers' gold, number 32, the ball in both hands, with Kevin McHale of the Celtics reaching in, and behind them a courtside sign gives the date away: 1984 NBA World Championship Series.
Behind him, a courtside sign gives the date away: the 1984 NBA World Championship Series.
The design is the one everyone knows from the Jordan: red, white and blue stripes, a thin yellow frame around the picture, the Fleer Premier mark in the corner, and his name, team and position at the bottom.
The season the card was sold, 1986-87, was his best. He won his first Most Valuable Player award and the Lakers won the championship.
Those colored borders chip easily and centering varies. The set is also among the most counterfeited in basketball; on a real card the arrow in the Premier logo is a darker gold than the box around it.