Resources & References

1990  ·  High Series  ·  #1–9 (auto = #9)  ·  /2,500

The original: the first modern pack-inserted autograph card ever produced. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. High Series packs; estimated ~1 in 148 boxes. A subset of 25 cards (those ending in ‘00’: #100, #200...#2500) bear the inscription ‘Mr. October.’ Three milestone numbers carry additional inscriptions: #714 (Babe Ruth), #573 (Harmon Killebrew), #660 (Willie Mays). Caution: fake ‘Mr. October’ inscriptions on non-00 serial numbers are a well-documented fraud. Always verify the serial before purchasing an inscribed example. Reggie signed in blue ballpoint pen; bold, dark signatures command a notable premium.

1991  ·  Low Series  ·  #10–18 (auto = #18)  ·  /2,500

Ryan was still an active pitcher when these were produced. He threw his record 7th no-hitter in May 1991, just months before this set was issued. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. Low Series packs; ~1 in 150 boxes. Approximately 25 examples carry a ‘Strike Out King’ inscription, following the same interval pattern as Reggie's set: cards with serial numbers ending in 00 (100, 200, 300...2,500). Additional milestone inscriptions on specific serial numbers have also been reported, similar to the Reggie Jackson set. Authenticated inscription examples are extremely rare and rarely surface publicly. Ryan signed in blue Sharpie; signature consistency is generally strong.

1991  ·  High Series  ·  #19–27 (auto = #27)  ·  /2,500

Aaron held the all-time home run record at the time of signing. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. High Series packs; ~1 in 150 boxes. No systematic inscription pattern confirmed. ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ inscriptions have been reported but no authenticated examples have been publicly verified. Aaron signed in blue Sharpie; fading is common and bold signatures command a notable premium.

1992  ·  Low Series  ·  #28–36 (auto = #36)  ·  /2,500

The last player to hit .400 (1941). One of Williams' final major signing projects before declining health limited his appearances. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. Low Series packs; estimated ~1 in 10–20 cases, the hardest pull in the Heroes program. No documented inscription pattern; Williams signed simply and consistently. PSA/DNA authentication is strongly recommended. Separate UDA variant: Upper Deck Authenticated also sold a framed 11-card display set with an additional signed-and-inscribed art card numbered to /406 (bearing the 'Ted Williams' inscription). Owners of this UDA framed set will see serial numbers N/406, not N/2500. These are a distinct product from the pack-pulled autograph.

1992  ·  High Series  ·  #37–45 (auto = #45, dual-signed)  ·  /2,500

The only dual-signed autograph in the entire Heroes program. Both Bench and Morgan personally signed all 2,500 copies of card #45. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. High Series packs. The 1972–76 Reds Big Red Machine won back-to-back World Series. No inscription pattern documented. Both signatures must be present; single-signed copies are a known authentication problem.

1991  ·  Low Series  ·  #1–9 (auto = #9)  ·  /2,500

Montana had just won his 4th Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXIV, January 1990) when these were produced. He is the only player to win three Super Bowl MVPs without throwing an interception across any of his four Super Bowl appearances. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. Low Series packs; the first pack-inserted autograph in football. Montana signed in blue ink. No documented inscription pattern.

1991  ·  High Series  ·  #10–18 (auto = #18)  ·  /2,500

Namath's guaranteed Super Bowl III win, against a Baltimore Colts team favored by 18 points, remains one of the most famous moments in NFL history. Artwork by Vernon Wells Jr. High Series packs. Namath signed in blue ink. Every 100th card was signed 'Broadway Joe'. Approximately 25 inscribed copies in the set (serial numbers 100, 200, 300…2,500). This mirrors the Reggie Jackson inscription pattern.

1992  ·  Series 1 packs (unsigned set) / UDA retail (signed card)  ·  #19–27 (auto = #27)  ·  /2,800

Payton retired in 1987 as the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Widely considered the greatest all-around running back ever. He passed away in 1999. Not pack-pulled. The autographed checklist card (#27) was sold by Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) as a factory-assembled framed/boxed set with a matching serial-numbered Certificate of Authenticity and UDA hologram. (The unsigned 10-card Heroes insert set #19–27 was inserted into Series 1 packs, but the autograph was not.) Numbered to /2,800; the bump from /2,500 reflects UDA retail inventory requirements, not greater availability. Artist likely Vernon Wells Jr. based on the 1991 football sets, but not confirmed for this specific set. Payton signed in blue ink. No documented inscription pattern.

1992  ·  Series 2 packs (unsigned set) / UDA retail (signed card)  ·  #28–36 (auto = #36)  ·  /2,800

Marino held virtually every major NFL passing record at retirement. Never won a Super Bowl despite 17 years of offensive brilliance. Not pack-pulled. The autographed checklist card (#36) was sold by Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) as a factory-assembled framed/boxed set with a matching serial-numbered COA and UDA hologram. (The unsigned 10-card Heroes insert set #28–36 was inserted into Series 2 packs, but the autograph was not.) Numbered to /2,800. Artist likely Vernon Wells Jr. but not confirmed for this set. Marino signed in blue Sharpie across the front. No documented inscription pattern.

1991–92  ·  Low Series  ·  HH1–HH9 (auto = HH9)  ·  /2,500

Hull scored 86 goals in 1990–91, a record that still stands. Artwork by Steve Cusano, the only set in the entire Heroes program NOT illustrated by Vernon Wells Jr. Low Series packs; the first pack-inserted autograph in hockey. Authentication tell: the signed version carries a diamond hologram on the back; unsigned inserts have a circular hologram. Hull signed in blue Sharpie. No documented inscription pattern.

1992–93  ·  Low Series packs (unsigned set) / UDA retail (signed card)  ·  HH10–HH18 (auto = HH18)  ·  /2,800

Gretzky scored more goals than any other NHL player AND has more assists than any other player has total points. Not pack-pulled. The autographed checklist card (HH18) was sold by Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) as a factory-assembled framed/boxed retail product with a matching serial-numbered COA and UDA hologram. (The unsigned 10-card Heroes insert set HH10–HH18 was inserted into Low Series packs at 1:18 odds, but the autographed card was not.) The card carries both the UDA serial-numbered hologram and the Heroes set hologram on the back. Card numbers continue from Hull's HH1–HH9. Numbered to /2,800. Gretzky signed in blue ink. No documented inscription pattern.

1991–92  ·  High Series  ·  #1–9 (auto = #9)  ·  /2,500

West's silhouette is the NBA logo. He averaged 27 points per game and was the only player ever named Finals MVP on the losing team (1969). High Series (Series 2) packs; the first pack-inserted autograph in basketball. An oversize West image also appeared on the bottom of Series 2 boxes. West signed in blue Sharpie across the front. No documented inscription pattern.