Marvel Masterpieces 1992-2020

[DynaEtch]

Behold…..the latest Marvel Masterpieces error card:

[finfangfan]

That is a neat error… I’d slab it so the error would be more easily identifiable on the front label.

[DynaEtch]

……I know some must be thinking either 1) I finally lost the plot with error collecting, or 2)maybe it’s time for a new pair of glasses. Alas, it is 3) actually a Marvel Masterpieces error (not mine though, just from eBay, more on that in a sec).

Here is the supposed back of the card:

https://ebay.com/itm/313092358374

How can this be? It is not the first time I’ve heard of an inter-set error. In this case appears to be a 1994-95 Skybox NBA Hoops card on front, and a 1994 Marvel Masterpieces US Agent #129 on back. While I don’t have the card in front of me to analyze, it does add up, being two sets from Fleer/Skybox in 1994. It is conceivable, although kinda surprising, that sheets got mixed up and the front of the NBA one was printed on a sheet that had 94MM backs.

What I want to do is find a pic of the relevant uncut sheet of 1994-95 NBA Hoops, and see if the spot with this Patrick Ewing matches up with the 94MM #129 (and we know where that is because the 94MM uncut sheet was posted ITT*). That would greatly provide some assurance this is legit. I asked in the basketball section if anyone has a pic of the NBA sheet and no results. I can’t find a pic.

Unfortunately the card is listed for $6k obo- way, way over any remotely reasonable market value for such an error imo. It’s one of those things, “hey that’s kinda neat”. But “hey that’s kinda neat” doesn’t make something worth 6k. Sellers card, sellers price, but you can see why it’s frustrating being an error collector, this is oh so common, errors priced at thousands regardless of true market value. What happens is they’ll just sit unsold. Unique doesn’t have to equal gold mine.

But I actually do think there is a good chance the error is legit, and not say 2 stuck cards. And it would go through eBay AG (what a doozy for them), but they would confirm it obviously. It’s a moot point since the high asking price, but I’d still be curious if anyone can find the uncut sheet of 1994-95 Hoops to definitely confirm the error (it would be from series 1 Hoops, and the sheet with this Patrick Ewing All Star card). It would also be interesting to know if the card came from a MM pack or NBA Hoops pack, the story does say MM pack (if that detail is correct). As usual, it would have affected at least one whole uncut sheet. Can you imagine opening a box of 1994 Marvel Masterpieces and pulling a Patrick Ewing or Michael Jordan…I think I’d fall out of my chair.

*: to be precise, it's 5th from right on bottom row of this sheet. If someone finds the 94-95 Nba Hoops sheet, we can see if the Ewing is in that spot!

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

That is a neat error… I’d slab it so the error would be more easily identifiable on the front label.

Im not typically a grader, but I do like this about CGC, that they grade errors. Gives errors a bit of 'officialness' in a sense. All of my errors are raw, but one day I may send the bulk of them in, just for this purpose.

As for this error....would love to have it. Very weird to have a multi-set error. US Agent could have been a better character but oh well. But even being an error nut, I cant get near that asking price. Who knows, maybe one day I can randomly pull one in a 94MM box (at needle in a haystack odds). Kinda cool just to know they exist.

[DynaEtch]

Latest error pickups, this with a 94MM theme.

First a very straightforward misprint of Spidey 2099. It is an NNOF but really it’s a no-foil, as it’s missing the MM logo in top corner also. Pretty rough condition but can’t be picky choosy when it comes to misprints.


I decided to bust a box of 94MM in search of errors. Dumb, considering the price of these and value of what comes out of it….but it’s a hobby and supposed to be fun. It was kinda funny as I was opening the box...hoping for messed up cards! Probably the opposite of most people.


Nothing major of note, but several of the 36 gold sigs looked notably silver. It’s very hard to tell because of how thin the foil sig is and how similar silver looks to gold, but I do think these are silver for some printing-related reason (certainly not due to fading since pulled from packs just now). Very, very minor…but interesting to know there is a variant out there of these.

(Regular gold left, silver right)




It is just the Gold Foil box and sig that looks silver, not the M logo or name, which still look gold. This gives us some insight into the printing of gold sigs- they must have started with a finished, stamped base card, and then subsequently stamped the sig and gold foil box…and not all the foil stamping at once. Since there are two different hues of foil on these.

The litmus test for detecting errors like this is seeing if you can tell which is which with the cards in front of you, not being told anything. Here is a Rogue that came out of the box and a normal one. Which is which?




(Silver is right in first pic, top in second pic)

I bought an old marvel card lot and noticed there were about sixteen 94MM base cards that were longer than regular. It’s not just a standard miscut where there is a sliver of the next card showing- these cards are actually 1/8” taller than standard, and even show a sliver of art not visible on the standard card (standard must have been cropped). Notice the shadow area at the bottom of the She-Hulk for example. Below are some examples of “long cards” next to the standard card.




And this Spider-Man Holofoil PSA error.



This is not an error card, it is a PSA error in slabbing. A rather glaring mistake, I have no idea how it is not noticed during the grading process. I technically shouldn’t add it to the MM error collection, but it’s a curiosity related to MM so I will.

PSA population of Spidey silver holofoils in 9 is 321. But I wonder what is the population of upside down Spidey holofoils in 9? But really, it's silly to think a grader putting something in the wrong way would create any value...ludicrous. Luckily this one didnt cost much more than what a regular graded 9 would go for.

[fabiani12333]

Wow, Dyna -- you came across a great error that I didn't know about. Those silver signatures are an improvement over the gold versions, in my opinion -- they visually pop and are complementary to the gold foil stamps.

[BJohns015]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

New pickups- relatively straightforward no-foil errors from 1993MM (raw art). Typhoid Mary, Black Widow, and Jusko’s War Machine

For some reason most of the no-foils I have from this set, including all 3 of these, are congregated in the 60’s numbers. Not sure what’s going on with that, I have little doubt the whole 90-card sheet was affected.

Someone on Facebook said he has a full set of the no foil MM93 cards. He showed these 3. Apparently his dad worked for the printing company back in the day and he believes his dad got this set then (maybe stuff QC caught and pulled to prevent being inserted into packs?)

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by BJohns015

Someone on Facebook said he has a full set of the no foil MM93 cards. He showed these 3. Apparently his dad worked for the printing company back in the day and he believes his dad got this set then (maybe stuff QC caught and pulled to prevent being inserted into packs?)

Wow a whole set

That black checklist is crazy...one of my white whales (well...black not white).

Heck that's one way to get a set. The closest thing I've seen to a whole no-foil set was that uncut sheet posted a few pages back that was somehow no-foil. Never imagined someone had an actual set of these. Im at like 15 of the 90, slowly collecting them from buying singles on ebay and opening packs. Cool to know a set exists.

[BobCollects]

Dyna, are you aware that Marvel has variant covers featuring Marvel Masterpieces III artwork coming out starting in January?

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...variant-covers
https://www.marvel.com/amp/articles/...overs-february

Here are a few of the actual covers:




There are also 1:50 incentive "virgin" variants with no trade dress for most or all of these. I may have to add the Invisible Woman Fantastic Four #17 to my collection even though I don't usually buy variants.

[DynaEtch]

Oh man, those are nice! Well looks like I'll be going for this set, probably the variants as well- there goes the wallet. haha

I did know the set was going to release- someone posted it somewhere upthread. But this is the first Im seeing these images....and Im impressed. The Hildebrandts' art in large size like this really looks good.

[DynaEtch]

So in 2021 they did the (near-) 30th anniversary of 92MM with the Joe Jusko Masterpieces comic cover variants. Now they are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hildebrandts' Masterpieces set in 2024. I almost have to think we will see a variant series of Boris and Julie's MM on comic covers in 2025 or 2026....and what a set of comics that would be.

Possibly also the 95MM's in between, but being a multi-artist set maybe not- they didnt do the 93MM set on covers.

[jdandns]

1993 did get those nifty comic collections way back when though.

I actually got a few of the pages from those autographed at SDCC, back when you could just walk up to big-name artists for free autographs.
(CCG-witnessing wasn't a thing then). I'll see about getting a scan or two for this thread.

The 94 Hildebrandt variant covers, unless I missed one when doing my pre-order last month, seem to be kicking off with an all-new Night Thrasher #1.


With Night Thrasher being among the dumbest Marvel characters created in the 90's (which is really saying something), I took a pass on that one, but might get a couple of the others, depending on character.

The regular versions will be priced like regular comics ($4 or so), but it appears there will be "virgin" variants sold as 1:50 incentives. (That means you can get 1 for every 50 regular copies you buy). Those won't have the trade dress (title logos 'n such) on them, just the pure artwork. Comics with that ratio tend to sell for $100 or more right out of the gate, although corrections (plus or minus) tend to occur afterwards based on demand or lack thereof.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by jdandns

1993 did get those nifty comic collections way back when though.

I actually got a few of the pages from those autographed at SDCC, back when you could just walk up to big-name artists for free autographs.
(CCG-witnessing wasn't a thing then). I'll see about getting a scan or two for this thread.

The 94 Hildebrandt variant covers, unless I missed one when doing my pre-order last month, seem to be kicking off with an all-new Night Thrasher #1.

Would love to see which artists you managed to get on the 93MM's, some great artists on that set. I once contemplated going for one of each artist auto on 93MM cards (there are a bunch, I'd like to guess 20ish artists), since you do see raw auto 93MM cards on ebay. But I shied away from doing it because 1)not sure if all the artists will have an auto card or not and 2)buying a signed 93MM card on ebay...I mean Im guessing it's legit (they arent expensive, why would they be faked), but there's really no way to know for sure, unlike your case of getting them signed in person. Still...one day may try it.

I was thinking the SAME thing....Night Thrasher, what the heck lol. Actually taking a closer look at the variant cover list....Im surprised at the choices. Looking back to the set post for 1994MM, none of my top 4 fav art in the base set (Rogue, Cap America, Thing, Wolverine) are going to be covers, if those checklists are accurate. Instead they're going with Night Thrasher, Cable, Kingpin, Daredevil....a bit odd, but I'm still excited for these.

As for 90s head-scratching characters, I'll see your Night Thrasher and raise you Nightwatch!


1994 Fleer Marvel Masterpieces - [Base] #85 - Nightwatch
Courtesy of COMC.com

Doesnt look to be in the variant cover set, but he's in the 94MM set, and also looks like he was Marvel's attempt to straight up rip-off Spawn from Image comics. Needless to say, didnt become the hit character in marvel they thought he would be.

Also Im just noticing from the Spider-Woman cover posted in that article....I wonder if the Hildebrandts inspiration for her card in 94MM was Julie Bell's Psylocke in 93MM? It's like they took the same pose and rotated her a quarter-circle turn counterclockwise.


1994 Fleer Marvel Masterpieces - [Base] #117 - Spider-Woman
Courtesy of COMC.com


1993 SkyBox Marvel Masterpieces - [Base] #24 - Psylocke
Courtesy of COMC.com

[Gambit C10]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Wow a whole set

That black checklist is crazy...one of my white whales (well...black not white).

Heck that's one way to get a set. The closest thing I've seen to a whole no-foil set was that uncut sheet posted a few pages back that was somehow no-foil. Never imagined someone had an actual set of these. Im at like 15 of the 90, slowly collecting them from buying singles on ebay and opening packs. Cool to know a set exists.

I suppose that post is also related to the listing on ebay noted below. Not sure if you were aware.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/40472141125...mis&media=COPY

[FAN4LIFE]

@DynaEtch thank you for sharing images of so many amazing Marvel Masterpieces items and for your thoughts on what makes each of these sets special. Great stuff! Do you have any interest in visiting Orlando at the end of this month? The Original Art Expo will be hosting a sub-section of Marvel Cards, including a full gallery space dedicated to original art used in (almost all) the Marvel Masterpieces sets. In total the gallery will have over 30 pieces of original trading card art. (Four of the pieces are the ones used for the new MM94 variant covers.) We believe the gallery experience will be incredible. It will include live in-person and video interviews with many of the artists that worked on the sets.

There will also be a booth dedicated to other Marvel card items, including sketch cards. Would love for you to attend, and I extend the invitation to anyone else reading this thread.

https://www.oa-expo.com/

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by FAN4LIFE

@DynaEtch thank you for sharing images of so many amazing Marvel Masterpieces items and for your thoughts on what makes each of these sets special. Great stuff! Do you have any interest in visiting Orlando at the end of this month? The Original Art Expo will be hosting a sub-section of Marvel Cards, including a full gallery space dedicated to original art used in (almost all) the Marvel Masterpieces sets. In total the gallery will have over 30 pieces of original trading card art. (Four of the pieces are the ones used for the new MM94 variant covers.) We believe the gallery experience will be incredible. It will include live in-person and video interviews with many of the artists that worked on the sets.

There will also be a booth dedicated to other Marvel card items, including sketch cards. Would love for you to attend, and I extend the invitation to anyone else reading this thread.

https://www.oa-expo.com/

Wow -- that's really awesome; I wish I could go:

The Marvel Card Archive is an ode to the Marvel Trading Card Hobby and includes:

Examples from every published, pack-inserted U.S. Marvel card
from 1966 to 2007 (excluding 1/1s and back variations)
Hundreds of pre-production pieces including uncut sheets, printer proofs, and production samples
Over 2,000 original published artworks used for Marvel (and some DC) trading cards spanning 100+ different Marvel sets, 150+ different artists, and 500+ different characters
A compendium of sketch cards, spanning the first ever official sketch cards ever created (not Marvel) and examples from almost every Marvel card sketch card set issued

[FAN4LIFE]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Wow -- that's really awesome; I wish I could go:

This will be a yearly show. So maybe you can attend next year. The Card Art gallery will have a different theme each year.

By the way, this part you quoted is a description of The Marvel Card Archive. Not all that will actually be at the show. LOL

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

The Marvel Card Archive is an ode to the Marvel Trading Card Hobby and includes:

Examples from every published, pack-inserted U.S. Marvel card
from 1966 to 2007 (excluding 1/1s and back variations)
Hundreds of pre-production pieces including uncut sheets, printer proofs, and production samples
Over 2,000 original published artworks used for Marvel (and some DC) trading cards spanning 100+ different Marvel sets, 150+ different artists, and 500+ different characters
A compendium of sketch cards, spanning the first ever official sketch cards ever created (not Marvel) and examples from almost every Marvel card sketch card set issued

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by FAN4LIFE

This will be a yearly show. So maybe you can attend next year. The Card Art gallery will have a different theme each year.

By the way, this part you quoted is a description of The Marvel Card Archive. Not all that will actually be at the show. LOL

What exactly is the Marvel Card Archive? Is it a collection owned by Steven Walbroehl? I'm sure Dyna would love to see the uncut sheets, printer proofs and production samples.

[FAN4LIFE]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

What exactly is the Marvel Card Archive? Is it a collection owned by Steven Walbroehl? I'm sure Dyna would love to see the uncut sheets, printer proofs and production samples.

It’s the collection I’ve been working on for over 30 years. Steven has a separate amazing collection. He is graciously providing half the artwork that will be displayed on the gallery.

[DynaEtch]

Thank you for the heads up! I never knew about this Marvel Card Archive, and man, if those examples of OA shown in the link are representative of what they're exhibiting at the show...wow oh wow. Some monsters there. That artist list is pretty crazy too.

I would absolutely love to see this in person, sounds like it'll be a great chronicle of marvel card history. Being in FL and a long ways from me, I probably wont be able to attend, this year at least. But I will be on the lookout if anyone creates videos etc of the experience, hopefully some people will post about it. If anyone goes, feel free to post in this thread about it.

Edit: didnt know the Marvel Card Archive was your collection....sounds amazing!

[FAN4LIFE]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Thank you for the heads up! I never knew about this Marvel Card Archive, and man, if those examples of OA shown in the link are representative of what they're exhibiting at the show...wow oh wow. Some monsters there. That artist list is pretty crazy too.

I would absolutely love to see this in person, sounds like it'll be a great chronicle of marvel card history. Being in FL and a long ways from me, I probably wont be able to attend, this year at least. But I will be on the lookout if anyone creates videos etc of the experience, hopefully some people will post about it. If anyone goes, feel free to post in this thread about it.

Edit: didnt know the Marvel Card Archive was your collection....sounds amazing!

Maybe OAX 2025 then! There will be plenty of videos created at and uploaded soon after OAX. Hopefully they're enough to entice the visit. ;-)
I don't often do videos and interviews, but here's one I was asked to do at NYCC '22. https://youtu.be/u7hU6xHEZcY?si=QBv5pBxcErl7FslU

[Watchmee]

Originally Posted by Gambit C10

I suppose that post is also related to the listing on ebay noted below. Not sure if you were aware.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/40472141125...mis&media=COPY

bidding for this error set (1993 Marvel Masterpieces Factory Cut NO-FOIL Full Set - 1/1 KNOWN) ended at $662

[Fenian95]

And per the seller on Facebook the same person bought the sheet and the cut 100 card.

Was that you Dyna?

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by FAN4LIFE

Maybe OAX 2025 then! There will be plenty of videos created at and uploaded soon after OAX. Hopefully they're enough to entice the visit. ;-)
I don't often do videos and interviews, but here's one I was asked to do at NYCC '22. https://youtu.be/u7hU6xHEZcY?si=QBv5pBxcErl7FslU

This is some jaw-dropping stuff, realllly nice. Thanks for sharing. He said it in that video and it's so true: OA for marvel cards can really disappear into collections, and most of it you just never see. So it's great to see examples like this on display. Of particular interest regarding my collecting focus of course are the 2 MM pieces

Blown away by the original 92MM Havok, and the Hildebrandt Nova with the striking blue- very 94 MM-esque in the color tone on that painting. But yea I gotta make it down to Orlando next year!

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by FAN4LIFE

Maybe OAX 2025 then! There will be plenty of videos created at and uploaded soon after OAX. Hopefully they're enough to entice the visit. ;-)
I don't often do videos and interviews, but here's one I was asked to do at NYCC '22. https://youtu.be/u7hU6xHEZcY?si=QBv5pBxcErl7FslU

Nice video -- you did a great job providing information on the artwork.

One little issue I have is you said the Spider-Man artwork depicted the symbiote suit -- it actually just depicts his black suit. He hadn't worn the symbiote suit since 1984.