Jose Cruz, Jr. 'Diamond Ink' Certificate of Authenticity
Ephemera / Sports Collectible Insert • Fleer/SkyBox International LP (Corporate Designer)
Style & Movement
Late 20th-century Commercial Graphic Design / Sports Memorabilia Ephemera
Medium & Technique
Offset lithographic printing on cardstock; commercial graphic design using typography and vector logos.
Creation Period
1998
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches (Standard Trading Card size); Landscape format.
Subject Description
A certificate related to a Jose Cruz, Jr. autographed Rawlings baseball. It features the 'Diamond Ink' logo, the Fleer corporate logo, and a stylized fountain pen graphic with a diamond tip.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; Protected in a plastic top-loader, showing some surface wear and age-related yellowing.
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $15 USD (value is primarily derived from the association with the physical autographed baseball it authenticates).
Auction Estimate
$3 - $10 USD
Provenance History
Originally issued as an insert in Fleer/SkyBox baseball card packs or as part of a redemption program for memorabilia.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'Insert Era' of sports collectibles where manufacturers expanded into authenticated memorabilia during the baseball boom of the late 1990s.
Notable Features
Features the '1 Diamond Point' designation and specific promotional branding for the 1998 'Diamond Ink' series.
Condition Issues
Slight oxidation or yellowing of the card stock; minor scuffing visible on the plastic protective case; potential edge wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in an acid-free sleeve and a rigid top-loader; store in a cool, dry place away from direct UV light to prevent fading and further yellowing.