1987 1987 Fleer #8 Scottie Pippen RC

The 1987 Fleer #8 Scottie Pippen rookie card was a basketball trading card that was manufactured by the well-known company Fleer and subsequently released to the public in the year 1987.

Background

This particular card came into existence during a transitional period for NBA collectibles, a time when Fleer was engaged in fierce competition with Topps and Upper Deck for market share, with the goal of aiming to capitalize on the rising interest in basketball’s emerging stars. Scottie Pippen, who was drafted fifth overall by the Chicago Bulls during the 1987 NBA Draft, had not yet attained the status of a household name; however, his inclusion in the Fleer set positioned him alongside players who were already well-established in the league. The 1987 Fleer series, which is known for its vibrant colors and minimalist design, comprised a total of 132 cards, with Pippen’s rookie card assigned the notable number 8—a detail that would later draw attention due to its proximity to Michael Jordan’s sticker card within the same set.

Confusion continues to persist among collectors regarding the precise timeline of the card’s release, as Pippen’s NBA debut took place in late 1987, while Fleer’s production cycles often spanned multiple years. The card’s association with Jordan’s rising stardom, which is evident in their shared set, added indirect value to it, although Pippen’s individual accolades would not come to fruition for several more years. Grading companies such as PSA later noted various print inconsistencies within the 1987 Fleer run, including off-center cuts and unsightly ink smudges, which ultimately affected the card’s early preservation rates.

Features

The front side of the card prominently displays a mid-action shot of Pippen clad in his Bulls uniform, framed by a thick red border that would become a hallmark feature of Fleer during the late 1980s. A white team logo stripe runs along the bottom of the card, creating a striking contrast with the bold black lettering that denotes his name and position. The reverse side of the card lists basic statistics and provides a brief biography, which is printed in a compact sans-serif font that was characteristic of Fleer’s utilitarian design approach at the time.

Key design elements of the card include the following:

• A matte finish, which effectively differentiates it from Topps’ glossy counterparts
• Standard dimensions measuring 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, featuring rounded corners that are prone to wear and tear
• A red, white, and black color scheme that aligns perfectly with the colors of the Bulls team

When compared to Jordan’s sticker card within the same set, Pippen’s card lacked the holograms or foil accents that are often associated with more premium cards, which ultimately reflects his rookie status. Collectors frequently note that the card’s straightforward design serves as both a strength—it is easily identifiable—and a weakness, as it tends to blend into the broader Fleer aesthetic that was prevalent during that era.

Popularity and Legacy

The initial reception of the card was somewhat muted, given that Pippen’s average of 7.9 points per game during his rookie season did not immediately signal the potential for future Hall of Fame induction. The card’s value began to grow incrementally throughout the 1990s, as the Bulls’ dynasty took shape, with PSA 8-graded copies selling for less than $20 as late as the year 2000. Market interest experienced a notable shift after 2010, driven by a wave of nostalgia for 80s-era memorabilia and various documentaries that highlighted Pippen’s defensive versatility.

Recent sales data reveals the following:

• PSA 8 graded cards are averaging $74.68 according to figures from 2023
• Ungraded “near-mint” copies are trading between $30 and $50 on the popular online marketplace eBay
• Only 1,262 tracked sales have taken place since the year 2020, indicating a moderate level of liquidity

While it remains overshadowed by Jordan’s 1986 Fleer sticker—a card from the same manufacturer that commands five-figure sums—the rookie issue of Pippen continues to be a staple in the secondary market. Its legacy is directly tied to the Bulls’ six championships, although the card itself does not contain any explicit references to those titles, existing purely as a snapshot of Pippen’s pre-fame potential.

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Availability and Collectability

The survival rates for this card are higher than average when compared to other cards from the 1980s, a fact that can be attributed to Fleer’s durable cardstock; however, high-grade specimens remain quite scarce. PSA reports that fewer than 15 percent of the submitted copies achieve a grade of 8 or above, with poor centering being the most common flaw observed. The card’s relative affordability, especially when compared to Jordan or Barkley rookies, makes it a frequent “entry point” for collectors of Bulls memorabilia.

Market trends indicate the following:

• Seasonal price spikes tend to occur during the NBA playoffs, particularly when classic Bulls games are broadcast
• There has been increased interest in crossover grading, such as Beckett versus PSA, since the year 2020
• Declining raw card sales are evident as collectors increasingly prioritize authenticated slabs

Storage recommendations typically advise against using sleeves that contain PVC, as the plastic can degrade the card’s edges over the course of several decades. For those who are investing, the 1987 Fleer #8 card represents a middle-ground asset—it is less volatile than unproven rookies, yet it lacks the blue-chip status of the era-defining stars, a position that mirrors Pippen’s own career trajectory as the ultimate supporting player.