Nolan Ryan Texas Express set question

[hearseguy]

So, this is just another junk 90’s set but I have 1 card that I pulled when I was a kid that I was hoping somebody would have some info on. It is #129 and in almost invisible writing on the back it says “Say No To Drugs”. I thought it was so cool when I was younger and saved it. It’s the only one that I ever pulled like that and I opened a bunch. Does anybody know anything about the card? I know it’s a long shot.

[LCM1223]

Isn't that the 1990 or 1991 Pacific set?

[hearseguy]

Originally Posted by LCM1223

Isn't that the 1990 or 1991 Pacific set?

1991, so I have been trying to find info all day. I have finally found some on EBay under “ghostwriter”. Seems people are asking stupid money for them. After looking closer it looks like it says “DRUGS RUIN DREAMS”

[BCush56]

Found this info on another site

Thanks for sharing all those modern toughies. I knew about quite a few of them, but was unaware of some of the more recent ones. I am amazed at the number of tough modern cards out there.

For me, the toughies that I’m looking for are the 1993 Pacific Nolan Ryan Ghostwriting cards. There are 110 different cards in total numbering from 111-220. Each card has 1 of 10 possible messages on the back that glows in the dark. The messages are all geared towards keeping kids off drugs and alcohol and staying in school.

Below is a list of the 10 different messages listed alphabetically.

1. BE SMART. DON'T START DRUGS OR ALCHOHOL
2. D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS
3. DRUGS RUIN DREAMS
4. IN SPORTS DRUGS CAN CAUSE YOU TO MAKE AN ERROR
5. JUST SAY NO
6. SAY NO TO DRUGS
7. STAY IN SCHOOL
8. TO BE A WINNER YOU HAVE TO BE DRUG FREE
9. TO GET THE BEST GRADES, YOU HAVE TO STUDY
10. WINNERS DON'T USE DRUGS

Yes, the messages are specific to the card number. Card #111 will always have "D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS".

The cards were issued in foil packs. I have yet to pull one myself in the 1/2 dozen or so boxes that I've opened, but I know someone who has pulled a couple from these boxes. (see box pictured below)

I read somewhere many years ago that according to Mike Cramer, president of Pacific Cards, that there were only 200 of each message printed. That means there would be about 2,000 cards in total numbered from 110 through 220. He also said that not all of them made it into production because the thicker cards kept jamming up the machines, so some were pulled from production. So, I don't think anyone really knows how many are out there.

To date, PSA has graded about 160 "Ghostwriting" cards in total of which 70 are unique card numbers out of the possible 110. That means there are still 40 card numbers of the 110 that have yet to have an example graded by PSA. The card numbers that have been graded are all included in the Nolan Ryan Master set on the PSA Registry. I've only got 13 out of the 70 graded so far, so I have a looooooooong way to go.

If anyone has any other info or leads to these cards I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Donato

[base set]

Cool thread, thanks. I pull these in repack products fairly often.

[hearseguy]

Thank you BCush56, that is great info. Looks like I’ll be sending it to PSA.