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Given
out to executives at certain Fox TV affiliates and Liberty Satellite Sports
employees in 1996. While searching for an example for my collection I actually
spoke with one of the Liberty Satellite installation guys who got a couple
of sets from his supervisor. He was genuinely surprised that anyone actually
collected these cards. The joke was on me though. When he heard the urgency
in my voice about getting the Frank he immediately turned around to a collector/dealer
he knew and sold the sets, minus the one Frank I had already "purchased",
for a pile of cash. That'll teach me - next time - be discreet. <g>
For a long time this issue flew under the radar screens of most collectors,
but no more. Prices are beginning to rise because of Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry
Bonds collectors (who are as crazy as we are) and thus driving up the price
for the entire Liberty Sports Set. A few years ago this was a $30 set, nowadays
expect to pay around $200 for the complete works – if you can find one.
Nearly
five years of constant searching and I couldn't find a Frank no matter how
hard I tried, who I contacted, or how much money I offered. In fact, most
dealers hadn't even heard of this issue, much less carried it. But with Ripken's
retirement and Bonds' chemically enhanced homeruns, sets are finally seeing
the marketplace.
Five years and nada - but in the last year or so [originally written in 2003] I've counted two complete sets and three partial sets that were broken down and put up for auction. It's now easier than ever to get ahold of one. If it pops up again - I urge you to grab it and hold on tight. I expect these guys to really pick up steam in the next few years.
BTW, the toughest (most expensive) card in this 21-card issue is the Ripken. You can pick up a Frank for about $10-$20 bucks. Consider yourself lucky if can get it without damaged corners.
Collector's Note: Because there's no clear logo identifying the issue you will often find these cards misidentified.
These
are possible mislabeled listings you might run across:
Frank Thomas Pro Series
Frank
Thomas Pro L Series
Frank Thomas Sports Channel
Frank Thomas Sportschannel
Frank Thomas Season Tickets
Frank Thomas Satellite
Don't forget to try these variations if you're trying for a complete set. Remember that these cards had different FOX TV station logos printed on both the front and backs - which are often mistaken for the cards identity.