1993 Upper Deck Derek Jeter Top Prospect (Card #449)
Collectible trading card, lithographic print on cardstock • Upper Deck Company (Industrial design/commercial photography)
Style & Movement
Modern Sports Ephemera/Nineties Graphic Design
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography with a UV gloss finish on paperboard (cardstock)
Creation Period
1993
Dimensions & Format
2.5 x 3.5 inches (Standard Trading Card size); Vertical/Portrait format
Subject Description
A portrait of professional baseball player Derek Jeter as a young prospect for the New York Yankees. He is depicted in a traditional pinstripe uniform, holding a bat across his shoulder against a stadium background. Includes iconography of the New York Yankees 'NY' logo and the Upper Deck 'Top Prospect' branding.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The card shows visible signs of surface wear and potential edge scuffing; however, it is protected by a plastic 'top loader' sleeve.
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $50.00 (Uncertified/Raw state)
Auction Estimate
$5.00 - $100.00 (Highly dependent on professional grading results, e.g., PSA or Beckett)
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial item; likely acquired via retail pack or secondary market collectors.
Art Historical Significance
This is one of the most culturally significant 'rookie' era cards of the 1990s. Derek Jeter is a Hall of Fame shortstop, and this specific card represents the transition from the 'Junk Wax' era to premium card production. It is a cornerstone of late 20th-century American sports memorabilia.
Notable Features
Features the 'Top Prospects' silver foil stamp and the official 1992-93 Upper Deck logo. This is Jeter's premier Upper Deck rookie card.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches on the protective sleeve (which may or may not be on the card itself), possible softening of the corners, and centering appears slightly off-top to bottom.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a PVC-free archival sleeve and rigid top-loader. Store in a cool, dry, dark environment to prevent fading of the ink and yellowing of the cardstock.