Barry Larkin Cards and Memorabilia Guide

Barry Larkin

Date of Birth: 4/28/1964
Rookie Card Year: 1987
Investment Rating: 6.5


Overview

Even though Barry Larkin cards aren't going to make anyone rich, his election into baseball's Hall of Fame ensures his hobby legacy. The 1995 National League MVP, Larkin isn't your standard Cooperstown inductee. He hit over 30 home runs just once and failed to break the 100 RBI plateau. Yet his consistency, strong defense and speed made him a perennial spark for the Cincinnati Reds. A 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Larkin helped lead the Reds to a World Series Championship in 1990 versus the Oakland Athletics.

Barry Larkin's first card came in the 1986 Sportflics Rookies box set. It's perceived as being too obscure to be regarded as his true rookie card. As a result, Larkin's rookie cards are found in 1987 Donruss, 1987 Fleer and 1987 Topps Baseball. All three sets are hugely over-printed, keeping prices very low. Even professionally graded gem mint and pristine copies of these Barry Larkin cards are within reach for collectors on a tight budget.

From an investment perspective, the best rookie options are the 1987 Fleer Glossy and 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Larkin cards. Better still are later Barry Larkin cards featuring a certified autograph. Although there are around 400 different autograph cards, not a lot pop up anymore. Autographed Barry Larkin memorabilia, particularly photos and baseballs, is also popular with collectors, although there's not a ton of it out there either. Because so many people have Hall of Fame autograph collections, interest in his signature is on the rise. Prices are bound to follow.

Barry Larkin Rookie Card Checklist

1987 Donruss #492

1987 Donruss Barry Larkin 209x300 Image

A simple but attractive card, the black borders make this card somewhat tough to keep in top shape. However, the huge print run has ensured there's more than enough to go around, keeping prices low.

1987 Fleer #204

1987 Fleer Baseball Barry Larkin 214x300 Image

The blue border doesn't mix well with Cincinnati's team colors. The result is a card that has a nice, albeit generic, photo but isn't able to hold it together. As far as 1987 baseball cards set go, Fleer has emerged as a favorite, but print runs smother any potential value gains. 1987 Fleer Glossy is tougher to find and slightly more valuable as it was only available in factory sets.

1987 Topps #648

1987 Topps Barry Larkin 212x300 Image

Collectors seem to either love or loath the wood-grain 1987 Topps Baseball design. As far as value goes, like Larkin's other rookie cards, raw versions can be found for a buck or two. The best option, however, is his 1987 Topps Tiffany card. Available only in factory sets, the upscale card is much more limited than any of the other 1987 Barry Larkin cards.

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1987 FLEER COMPLETE NM+ BASEBALL SET 660: BARRY BONDS 604 LARKIN 204 CLARK 269
$35.00
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1997 Donruss Preferred - BARRY LARKIN - Gold #109 - REDS
$11.99
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1987 Donruss #492 Barry Larkin Gem Mt 10
$35.94
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Mint Set of Ten (10) 1987 Topps Barry Larkin Cincinnati Reds #648 Baseball Card
$11.62
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(100) 1987 Topps Barry Larkin #648 Rookie Card Lot Reds Nm Mt
$38.98
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1987 Fleer Barry Larkin SGC 96 Cincinnati Reds #204 Baseball Card
$18.00
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1988 Score Glossy BARRY LARKIN #72 HOF PSA 10
$47.99
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HOFer Barry Larkin # 492 1987 Donruss ROOKIE CARD-PSA NEAR MINT to MINT 8
$11.99
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Autograph Guide

Barry Larkin Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide

Below you will find an example of what Barry Larkin's authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company.

Barry Larkin Autograph Image

Signed Baseball Pricing:

Average eBay Sales Price: $69

Signed 8x10 Photo Pricing

Average eBay Sales Price: $29.85
Lowest Amazon Price: $45.95 Image

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Signed Barry Larkin Bat Rare Collectible
$350.00
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Autographed Barry Larkin Cincinati Reds Sports Illustrated Poster
$35.99
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1999 Cincinnati Reds ALL STARS Signed Baseball Barry Larkin Sean Casey JSA COA
$79.99
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Premium! Framed Barry Larkin Cincinnati Reds signed jersey with JSA COA 2012 HOF
$799.99
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BARRY LARKIN AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED 1989 UPPER DECK CARD #270
$60.00
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BARRY LARKIN CINCINNATI REDS SIGNED 2003 TOOPS HERITAGE BASEBALL CARD HOF
$30.00
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Barry Larkin Signed Reds Riddell Mini Helmet Steiner COA Autograph MLB HOF Auto
$179.95
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1992 ULTRA #191 BARRY LARKIN CINCINNATI REDS AUTO PSA DNA SIGNED AUTOGRAPH CARD
$55.00
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 |  E-Mail Author | 
Ryan's collecting origins began with winter bike rides to the corner store, tossing a couple of quarters onto the counter and peddling home with a couple packs of O-Pee-Chee hockey in his pocket. Today, he continues to build sets, go after inserts with cool technologies, chase Montreal Expos and finish off his John Jaha master collection. Ryan can be found on Twitter @tradercracks and Google+.

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