1997 Fleer Football Forum

I'm aware of at least four different versions for this set, my question is do some of them meet standards to be listed here?

As a little background, cards 46-50 were winner cards and extremely short printed. I haven't actually seen any of the pack issued 46-50 because they are so rare.

According to Beckett: "Cards #46-50 pulled from packs were the contest winner cards and could be exchanged (along with the other 45-cards) for a chance to win various prizes including $1000 hobby shopping sprees. Card #50 could be redeemed (with the other 49-cards) for the $1 million dollar prize. Finally, the first 45-cards could be redeemed along with $5.95 for a prize set version including the final five-cards. The prize set is identical to the pack inserts except for the line of text on the cardbacks that mentions the cards not being eligible for the contest."

Regular - The database currently lists 1-50, with 46-50 as a 'prize version.' I'm going to recommend that 46-50 be reserved for the actual hard-to-find pack issued versions and these 'prize' versions moved to another set (mentioned below).

Void - Cards 1-45 can be found with VOID stamped on the back (46-50 I don't believe so). I have a set 1-45 stamped VOID along with 46-50 in the prize/"Not An Official Game Card" version. I think someone who sent in one of the 46-49 cards to claim their prize received their 1-45 cards back stamped VOID along with the missing five cards.

Prize / "Not An Official Game Card" - All 50 cards can be found in this version. If what Beckett mentioned is correct, the collector would receive the entire set (I've only ever seen one shrink wrapped set on ebay). I don't think the collector would get the rest of their cards back, although they may have also been stamped VOID, I don't know. This set should definitely be listed (and the one image of card 49 currently added in the database moved here).

Black Front - I obtained these by participating in the NPN listed on the back of the contest card. I sent in 3 NPNs and received 3 sets of 1-45 with blank fronts. I know we don't list errors with blank fronts/backs. But this one I'm really not sure about because I received it from Fleer.

Instant Win - This one I'm not advocating to add yet, until one is actually seen. The contest mentions instant win cards and that they will be returned marked VOID so the customer can use it to complete the rest of the contest. This leads you to believe they could have been numbered 1-45. I don't think the instant win cards are the same as 46-50, because the rules on the back provide different prize values for fourth/third/second/first prize and instant win prizes. Until a real example is seen this version is just a mystery. I'm just adding this info here in the event someone reads this and has an answer.

So my questions are: Should the VOID set be listed here? Should the Blank Front set be listed here?

Yes to both. They were made and distributed by the card company on purpose so they are not errors. 

I've long held the belief that the million dollar winner card is a 1/1 although possibly not labeled as such...if it even exists.