[chrisa19978]

My personal belief is that there are very few if any iconic cards for all collectors after 1997 when the 1/1 was introduced. The last ones that come to mind for me are the 1995 Bowman's Best Andruw Jones and Vladimir Guerrero. However, I do think there are iconic cards with in each player collectors collection. Meaning every Jeter collector has to try to own the 1996 Leaf Signature Gold Auto. Then as a Thomas collector you chase the 1992 Super DK or the ever popular NNOF 1990 RC. The Pujols collector's all wanna get there hands on the 2001 Bowman Chrome auto. Each player has a card like that I am sure and each collector has that holy grail they chase.

I am going to say for me it will be the 1996 Mirror Gold Derek Jeter when I get it. Its just a matter of time.

[dbroockerd]

I am going to say for me it will be the 1996 Mirror Gold Derek Jeter when I get it. Its just a matter of time.

I wasn't sure what Jeter to use as an example, but I figured my point was made.

[oneofakindcards]

I couldn't possibly agree more.

I can't imagine an iconic card *not* being a base card; while people may like parallels, the parallel can't be iconic without its base being iconic.

I disagree, like the Griffey JR (cards printed on higher and more expensive stock) the Pujols marks an era. Low #'ed Auto'ed rookies are par for the course these days. Base is garbage, just filler for packing in the "real" cards.

Im not saying I like it, hell I wasnt one of the guys buying 50 cases of 86 Topps back in the day...but its the way it is.

If the parallel were truly sought after and iconic, then the corresponding base would also rise in popularity and price - and not be 'garbage' as you say.

People naturally seek out affordable alternatives that look almost exactly the same, if this were not the case then only the 1/1 parallel would the only card worth anything.

[jhyde77]

If the parallel were truly sought after and iconic, then the corresponding base would also rise in popularity and price - and not be 'garbage' as you say.

People naturally seek out affordable alternatives that look almost exactly the same, if this were not the case then only the 1/1 parallel would the only card worth anything.

I can't think of any parallel that is considered a cornerstone or must have card, but I can see it happening.

The closest one that comes to mind (if you count errors as parallels) is the '90 Topps Frank Thomas (No Name).

[uvaspina]

Lets see Ichiro would have to be there as well. I mean the guy had 200 hits his first 10 seasons and that has never been done before him. Not the great Ty Cobb or Pete Rose can say that.

I agree that Ichiro belongs on the short list too. -On that note, I'm kind of surprised that there doesn't seem to be a lot of Ichiro collectors on the boards. I don't seem to see his name/cards mentioned a whole lot. Maybe it's because he hasn't signed in 5-6 years. -I went out of my way to pick up a few of his RCs (and the dual Pujols/Ichiro).