This version was 1 of 200 randomly inserted into box sets called the "Frank Thomas Collection", of which 250,000 sets were issued. You can read more about it here.

This All-Star version was also 1 of 200 produced with the intent of being a random insert into 1992 All-Star Box Sets. However, Barry Colla could not issue the sets as planned because Frank was not able to attend the game. Those All-Star Box Sets were later destroyed and the autographs later sold to a card distributor with Barry's own Certificate Of Authenticity - which also explained how and why the auto was not issued.

The COA is printed on a textured brilliant white stock, very much like what wedding invitations are printed on. Sadly, many of this version of the autographs no longer come with the COA which can be seen here.

Issued through the Front Row Collector's Club.

Note that some sellers have re-stamped some of the regular cards with a large gold-foil facsimile of Frank's signature and offering them as so-called autographed variants, which takes some nerve considering how really ugly these fraudulent cards are.

Personal note: The irony isn't lost on me when I use the word 'fraudulent' and 'Front Row' in the same sentence - given former Front Row President Tim Flatt's pockmarked history.

Issued as part of a 3-card set promoting MTV's 3rd Annual "Rock 'n Jock" charitable softball challenge held on January 11, 1992. There were 25,000 sets issued. The other two cards were of MC Hammer (the former rap star) and Ken Griffey Jr.

There is some question whether this is a legitimate issue since no licensing fees were ever paid to the MLBPA. I include it since Frank clearly consented to its production for charitable purposes.

Created for the kids market. Packs of stickers were meant to be peeled and pasted into an accompanying softcover book. See listing below.

Unlike Red Foley, these stickers are closer in size to standard card sizes, so I choose to list them as part of the card checklist.

Randomly inserted into Series 1 boxes came one of the nicest inserts I've ever seen, IMHO. Created from paintings done by Chris Greco, his artwork would adorn the 'Team Pinnacle' cards for the next three years.

Note: I actually own the original painting used for this chase card. :-)
Also note: I'm willing to pay a serious amount to obtain any Dick Perez painting(s) of Big Frank. If you know who has one - let's talk.

Rare promo variant issued at a specific east coast card show during Easter Weekend in 1992.

I am looking for more information about this card or the actual show mentioned on the back of the card.

Collector's Note: It clearly says "1 of 2" on the card back - does this mean it's the first of the series? If so, then it conflicts with the established issued promo set where Frank is on card #6. I believe there's another promo issued just for this Easter Card Show; who that other player is I haven't yet been able to determine.

Realizing that the market was shifting toward adults, Topps created this "kid-friendly" issue. Inexpensive packs that came with a stick of bubble-gum. Sales were not good and Topps did not return the concept. Strangely, the next year, Upper Deck created two similar products, one succeeded: Collector's Choice.

Team Checklist. Silver hologram Low & High Series issue.

Collector's Note: 1992 UD Low and High issues were printed with Silver Holograms. And all Factory Sets were printed with Gold Holograms. However, a huge portion of the Factory Sets were broken down by dealers for individual resale of the stars & rookies. Over the years the bulk of these gold holograms have mixed into the general '92 population - so much so that there is no perceived price differential for either version.

Also used for one of Upper Deck Authenticated's 1993 2-Card Autograph sets.

Front Row
Autographs

After-market autographs added after the original production, packaging and distribution. Released into the hobby, I believe, in order to sell the remaining inventory. When this occurred I haven't been able to determine.

To verify the authenticity of the signature I obtained several versions from different sources. And, as far as I can tell, they're the real thing. The autos conform to the weight, stroke, and style Frank was using during this period and in my opinion are genuine.

Some, but not all, of the autographs were "certified" with a round pre-printed sticker found on the card backs. According to the sticker - 4,000 autographs (for each version) were signed by Frank.

Highland Mint
Mint-Cards

Came in three flavors: Solid Brass, Solid Silver, and Gold-Plated Silver.

Each "card" will be found encased in a block of clear lucite and cushioned inside a plastic clamshell holder (similar to early VHS tape boxes). A picture of the card inserted in the clamshell doubled as a Certificate Of Authenticity. In this case - a picture of 1992 Topps Card #555, Frank Thomas.

Originally offered at $49.99, $249.99 and a stunning $1,499.99 for the Gold version - they can now be found for as little as 10%-15% of the MSRP prices, sometimes even less.

Highland Mint used to have an unusual licensing agreement with its authorized sellers and retailers: Never sell the cards below the set MSRP price.
They backed it up with real legal action. A dealer friend actually showed me his copy of the licensing agreement - if any dealer was caught underselling - they would be sued.

And through this "business model" Highland Mint artificially kept the true market value for these metal cards inflated for many, many years. But after the first version of The Highland Mint* (dba Enviromint) went bankrupt sometime in 1998-99, dealers slowly gave up the practice. No real surprise - since Communism never works in the real world.

Soon afterward prices began to reflect actual market conditions and began dropping steadily as dealers gave up all hopes of reselling them for huge profits. I know of two dealers who just tried to get their money back by selling their inventory "at cost". Eventually all their deadstock went on eBay for the aforementioned 10%-15% rule.

* The name brand "Highland Mint" was purchased off the bankruptcy court and has reopened operations in Florida.

Besides Barry Colla, in the early 90's there was another independent producer of baseball products. His name was Michael Schechter (dba MSA Productions). And like Colla, he created some unusual cross-promotional products - like this one from Ben's Bread.

Inserted into loaves of bread, this disc could be found throughout store shelves in Canada.

Sticker book intended for children. Came with several sheets of stickers inserted into a softcover book. The idea was to peel off the stickers and paste them into their empty positions in the book.

Sellers often cut apart the stickers and sell them individually. But the books themselves should be considered collectible since they have great images of Frank included.

Note that the stickers are somewhat small, about the size of large postage stamps.

*See Panini Stickers listing in the cards section.

Issued under cups of Icee (a frozen slush ice treat)

8-1/2"W x 11"H.
Frank is number eight (8) on the sheet - the "Ted Williams Best Hitters" card.

Arguably the worst year for unlicensed offenders.

Along with the expanding card hobby market during this period, unlicensed production exploded in '92. Among some of the "magazine inserts" which skirted the licensing issue: Ballstreet, Cartwrights, Investor's Journal, Legends, RBI, Pro-File, Showcase, Sports Cards Monthly, Sports Edition, Sports Report, and Sport Stars.

And production of the so-called "1992" Star Promos, "1992" Star Ad Card Promo, and all their precious metal & cosmically titled variants are tied to this year, despite the likelihood of being printed during the mid-to-late 1990s.

Special Note: Baseball Card Price Guide, a Krause Publication (which later bought out Tuff Stuff and combined the two publications), created several decent unlicensed cards based on early Topps designs. While technically unlicensed - they should be applauded for showing the viability of reusing classic designs for today's market. They beat Topps to the idea by nearly a decade!