Does anyone remember 2001 Donruss Elite?

[Bleeckerstreet2]

Spending time digging into this set, but can't find much info in the forums on it. Any impressions / memories from back then?

- Key year given Pujols / Ichiro rookie cards were both included with Pujols autos and both getting low serial numbered base rookies
- The first release from Donruss-Playoff after the acquisition was 2001 Donruss, followed by 2001 Donruss Elite.
- Lots of fun innovations / creativity in numbering in 2001 Donruss products - one being the career stat line and season stat line cards where players had cards numbered to some of their key stats like batting average, wins, RBI, etc.
- another being the Status and Aspirations parallels in 2001 Donruss Elite where each player had aggregate 100 Status and Aspirations parallels, with Status being numbered to the player's jersey # and Aspirations being 100 minus Status #. Each with a different die cut for slight S and A shapes with yellow/gold and red colors respectively
- The challenge of doing those varied numbering by player and different die-cutting could NOT have been profitable for Donruss based on what we know today from companies
- Passing the Torch cards / autos seem to get love, but not much else from these sets from what I can tell

I came across a Bonds Status /25 at Dallas Card Show last weekend and it struck me in hand. Just really attractive / catches your eye. Now have gone down a rabbit hole of trying to go for the Status set as a fun side quest. But I can't seem to find much perspective on its reception at the time and what people think of it today, so figured I'd ask for any thoughts folks have.

Luke

[NYBBFAN]

I like this set a lot. With the Jeter numbered so low, good luck putting it together. You need to be very careful to not accidentally buy aftermarket-stamped backdoor copies. There’s a base Ichiro on eBay that has the janky font, and I have seen an Aspirations Pujols that was graded by PSA that was also a stamped backdoor copy with a fake serial.

[Bleeckerstreet2]

thanks for sharing those - really awesome cards and glad to hear I'm not alone in liking it!

I did grab the Jeter yesterday, so I scratched off the toughest probably.

is this what you mean by the janky serialing font? the 664 ichiro looks off?

I read on BaseballCardPedia that some of the rookies were released unstamped, but any other tips to look out for would be helpful.

[OhioLawyerF5]

I've thought about putting the Primary Colors rainbow together, but just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe one day.

[Bleeckerstreet2]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

I've thought about putting the Primary Colors rainbow together, but just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe one day.

another fun design i forgot to even mention. i do think they did a good job picking relevant action shots for the players in most all the cards ive seen. love the larkin!

[LVDan]

Great cards guys. Especially covet those great Pujols cards NY. Premium product with a then premium price where you’d pull one serial numbered RC and maaaybe one serial numbered parallel in most boxes. 2001 was tough…most UD/DLP mid-hi products had serial numbered or at least severe SP’d RC subset with many SPIng the best guys even further. Chances of hitting anything considered valuable now being pretty slim as I recall. They did a good job of stretching the PR by dangling carrots that although were spectacular cards, were very difficult to pull.

[here2havefun]

I love Donruss Elite. I've posted this before, but I'll say again, the Ichiro Status RC is one of my fav Ichiro cards in my collection. Hoping to eventually land the Aspirations and the die-cut /100.



The Passing the Torch dual autos feature some incredible pairings, this is probably the coolest:

[NYBBFAN]

Originally Posted by Bleeckerstreet2

thanks for sharing those - really awesome cards and glad to hear I'm not alone in liking it!

I did grab the Jeter yesterday, so I scratched off the toughest probably.

is this what you mean by the janky serialing font? the 664 ichiro looks off?

I read on BaseballCardPedia that some of the rookies were released unstamped, but any other tips to look out for would be helpful.

Can’t believe you picked that up! Congrats.

Yes the 664 Ichiro is a fake stamp.

[corockies]

[Bleeckerstreet2]

Originally Posted by LVDan

Great cards guys. Especially covet those great Pujols cards NY. Premium product with a then premium price where you’d pull one serial numbered RC and maaaybe one serial numbered parallel in most boxes. 2001 was tough…most UD/DLP mid-hi products had serial numbered or at least severe SP’d RC subset with many SPIng the best guys even further. Chances of hitting anything considered valuable now being pretty slim as I recall. They did a good job of stretching the PR by dangling carrots that although were spectacular cards, were very difficult to pull.

thanks for sharing LVDan - it seems like it was tough to navigate all the products back then before the MLB limited licensing in 05. and getting your value / SN cards for the premium product was tough... kinda like today ha!

I remember just sticking to topps total and victory in the early 00's because i got the most cards for the $$ as a ~10 yr old.

[Bleeckerstreet2]

Originally Posted by corockies

bang love the first on the print. great card

[Bleeckerstreet2]

Originally Posted by here2havefun

I love Donruss Elite. I've posted this before, but I'll say again, the Ichiro Status RC is one of my fav Ichiro cards in my collection. Hoping to eventually land the Aspirations and the die-cut /100.



The Passing the Torch dual autos feature some incredible pairings, this is probably the coolest:

two of the coolest cards i've seen in awhile. that ichiro pops and the godfather / godson combo of the two greatest baseball players of all time (imo) on card auto... i mean its just amazing.

[Stech36]

I just picked up this one this week. Excited to get it in hand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[corockies]

[Jblaw1]

That year was my all time favorite year of releases, and this was a big part of it.

[bear0555]

Early 2000s DLP was absolutely loaded. We just didn't know it at the time. For someone like me who could afford 1 or 2 packs, I don't think I ever opened this product. But if I did, I'm sure if I would have gotten a hit, it would have been a higher numbered insert or similar.

Originally Posted by Bleeckerstreet2

Spending time digging into this set, but can't find much info in the forums on it. Any impressions / memories from back then?

- Key year given Pujols / Ichiro rookie cards were both included with Pujols autos and both getting low serial numbered base rookies
- The first release from Donruss-Playoff after the acquisition was 2001 Donruss, followed by 2001 Donruss Elite.
- Lots of fun innovations / creativity in numbering in 2001 Donruss products - one being the career stat line and season stat line cards where players had cards numbered to some of their key stats like batting average, wins, RBI, etc.
- another being the Status and Aspirations parallels in 2001 Donruss Elite where each player had aggregate 100 Status and Aspirations parallels, with Status being numbered to the player's jersey # and Aspirations being 100 minus Status #. Each with a different die cut for slight S and A shapes with yellow/gold and red colors respectively
- The challenge of doing those varied numbering by player and different die-cutting could NOT have been profitable for Donruss based on what we know today from companies
- Passing the Torch cards / autos seem to get love, but not much else from these sets from what I can tell

I came across a Bonds Status /25 at Dallas Card Show last weekend and it struck me in hand. Just really attractive / catches your eye. Now have gone down a rabbit hole of trying to go for the Status set as a fun side quest. But I can't seem to find much perspective on its reception at the time and what people think of it today, so figured I'd ask for any thoughts folks have.

Luke

I think you missed one of the biggest cards in the product. I don't really care about RCs, so this to me is either #1 or #2 behind the Mays/Bonds. Tho I did have the Pujols Die Cut auto at one time. Flipped it for cheap in 2015, and the buyer made sure to send me this message:

I sent paypal.

Do not insert Invoice and packing document.

My wife see card price, I'm so dangerous.

Good Packaging PLZ.

[meucci67]

Thank you for reminding me that I need to replace the regular base card numbered to 1000...







Thanks for looking!

Michael

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by Bleeckerstreet2

- another being the Status and Aspirations parallels in 2001 Donruss Elite where each player had aggregate 100 Status and Aspirations parallels, with Status being numbered to the player's jersey # and Aspirations being 100 minus Status #. Each with a different die cut for slight S and A shapes with yellow/gold and red colors respectively

Awesome cards everyone! Looking at the Status and Aspirations, can't help but notice the Status die-cut is clearly S shaped, but the Aspirations looks nothing like an A.

[Bleeckerstreet2]

you're right, it was loaded. great word for it. actually showing you a picture of the memorabilia used in the card? amazing.

i havent seen the babe / lou relic you posted. thats an incredible card and easily in the discussion. thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by bear0555

Early 2000s DLP was absolutely loaded. We just didn't know it at the time. For someone like me who could afford 1 or 2 packs, I don't think I ever opened this product. But if I did, I'm sure if I would have gotten a hit, it would have been a higher numbered insert or similar.



I think you missed one of the biggest cards in the product. I don't really care about RCs, so this to me is either #1 or #2 behind the Mays/Bonds. Tho I did have the Pujols Die Cut auto at one time. Flipped it for cheap in 2015, and the buyer made sure to send me this message:

I sent paypal.

Do not insert Invoice and packing document.

My wife see card price, I'm so dangerous.

Good Packaging PLZ.

[BostonNut]

Originally Posted by bear0555

Early 2000s DLP was absolutely loaded. We just didn't know it at the time. For someone like me who could afford 1 or 2 packs, I don't think I ever opened this product. But if I did, I'm sure if I would have gotten a hit, it would have been a higher numbered insert or similar.



I think you missed one of the biggest cards in the product. I don't really care about RCs, so this to me is either #1 or #2 behind the Mays/Bonds. Tho I did have the Pujols Die Cut auto at one time. Flipped it for cheap in 2015, and the buyer made sure to send me this message:

I sent paypal.

Do not insert Invoice and packing document.

My wife see card price, I'm so dangerous.

Good Packaging PLZ.

Oh yes! Early-mid 2000’s DLP will never be topped. The absolute peak of creativity.

[junkwaxgems]

Originally Posted by Bleeckerstreet2

Spending time digging into this set, but can't find much info in the forums on it. Any impressions / memories from back then?

- Key year given Pujols / Ichiro rookie cards were both included with Pujols autos and both getting low serial numbered base rookies
- The first release from Donruss-Playoff after the acquisition was 2001 Donruss, followed by 2001 Donruss Elite.
- Lots of fun innovations / creativity in numbering in 2001 Donruss products - one being the career stat line and season stat line cards where players had cards numbered to some of their key stats like batting average, wins, RBI, etc.
- another being the Status and Aspirations parallels in 2001 Donruss Elite where each player had aggregate 100 Status and Aspirations parallels, with Status being numbered to the player's jersey # and Aspirations being 100 minus Status #. Each with a different die cut for slight S and A shapes with yellow/gold and red colors respectively
- The challenge of doing those varied numbering by player and different die-cutting could NOT have been profitable for Donruss based on what we know today from companies
- Passing the Torch cards / autos seem to get love, but not much else from these sets from what I can tell

I came across a Bonds Status /25 at Dallas Card Show last weekend and it struck me in hand. Just really attractive / catches your eye. Now have gone down a rabbit hole of trying to go for the Status set as a fun side quest. But I can't seem to find much perspective on its reception at the time and what people think of it today, so figured I'd ask for any thoughts folks have.

Luke

I worked in a shop at the time of release. I remember this product very well.

My main recollection is that it was not loaded and numbered RCs and parallels like Status, Aspirations and game used were tough pulls but non-die-cut and non-GU were a few per box. I believe we saw one status/aspirations per box, two RCs and one game used, if lucky. Also, we accumulated an inordinate amount of redemption cards for RCs that at first seemed like junk but later turned out to be solid (extra edition players) which, all these years later, became mostly junk again. Some of these redemption RCs were redeemed in low quantities and became hot for set builders.

I remember that the Status and Aspirations cards were really impressive in person but we usually landed commons or minor stars. We had a customer intent on building the set with SPs and I'm pretty sure we never finished for him by the time I'd left in 2004.

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by bear0555

Early 2000s DLP was absolutely loaded. We just didn't know it at the time. For someone like me who could afford 1 or 2 packs, I don't think I ever opened this product. But if I did, I'm sure if I would have gotten a hit, it would have been a higher numbered insert or similar.



I think you missed one of the biggest cards in the product. I don't really care about RCs, so this to me is either #1 or #2 behind the Mays/Bonds. Tho I did have the Pujols Die Cut auto at one time. Flipped it for cheap in 2015, and the buyer made sure to send me this message:

I sent paypal.

Do not insert Invoice and packing document.

My wife see card price, I'm so dangerous.

Good Packaging PLZ.

Good stuff. Lol at the message from buyer.

[KhalDrogo]

This was a great set. All of the late 90s/early 2000s Elite products were very good in baseball and football. PTT was a big time chase and still is. The Sanders/Payton dual is the greatest football auto ever produced.

[hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

This was a great set. All of the late 90s/early 2000s Elite products were very good in baseball and football. PTT was a big time chase and still is. The Sanders/Payton dual is the greatest football auto ever produced.

Who are you and what have you done with my moon and stars??

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

[RealDocStrange]

Just here to say that I was out of the hobby from 1995-2020 so I missed all this fun, but one of my true joys on this board is reading about these types of releases and the stories.

I also enjoy learning the through-line from this 2001 release to the recent elite extra additions, gives some back story on all the parallels and die cuts they include, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk