1990 Topps Baseball Sealed Set - Potential Frank Thomas George Bush Error.
1990 Topps #414 Frank Thomas Rookie Card (No Name On Front)
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $20,000
You did not read that price incorrectly.
The regular Frank Thomas rookie card (which we'll get to later) is the key rookie card in this set.
But somehow, a small quantity printed without Thomas's name on the bottom nameplate made it into circulation.
Many collectors believe the printing dies used for the sheet of oranged-bordered cards were somehow blocked at some point, preventing Thomas's name from being inked.
And because it's such an incredibly rare error, collectors are willing to pay up big time for it.
Examples of this variation that have achieved a PSA 9 Mint grade can sell for around $20,000, and the one PSA 10 Gem Mint example that exists sold for an eye-popping $170,000 in December 2022.
Even if it's not in pristine shape, it can still be worth thousands of dollars as it remains one of the most infamous error cards in hobby history.
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $10,000
To honor President Bush, Topps printed 100 or so of these with a picture of him during his college days in his Yale uniform.
The company's chairman, Arthur Shorin, even presented some of them in a binder to the former president in 1989.
It's said that those that made it to the White House were coated with a glossy finish.
Like the "No Name On Front" Thomas rookie card, this one is exceptionally rare and card collectors go crazy for this card.
Added to that, there are presidential artifact collectors who also drive up the price for it.
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $1,100
Many hobbyists are aware of the "No Name On Front" Frank Thomas rookie card but not as many may know of the "Partial Blackless Error" version of this card.
If you look closely at the name plate at the bottom of the card, you'll notice that the black trim around Thomas's name isn't complete and breaks near his right foot.
It's so subtle that many may easily look past it but this error can make a huge difference when it comes to price.
Interestingly, it's more rare than the "No Name On Front" error but doesn't command nearly the same price premium compared to the regular base card.
As of this righting, there are twelve examples of this card that exist in PSA 9 holders versus nineteen of the "No Name On Front" version.