A recent post from @TimGall13 on X reminded me that no matter how long you’ve been studying the hobby, there’s always more to learn. I’ve spent years digging into iconic sets like 1986 Fleer, and yet I had never noticed that David Greenwood appears twice, once on his own card and again mistakenly pictured on Steve Johnson’s. It’s a small detail, but one that completely escaped me. Moments like this are humbling and part of what makes collecting so endlessly fascinating.
Tim spotlighted an uncorrected error in the beloved 1986 Fleer Basketball set. While Greenwood has his own card in the release, he also inadvertently appears on Steve Johnson’s card. Fleer mistakenly used Greenwood’s photo for Johnson, and the error was never fixed. For those who collect autographs, Tim’s rule is simple: “It has always been my practice to have the player pictured sign it.” In this case, that means Greenwood should sign both.
It’s a perfect example of how much depth this hobby holds. Even a set as celebrated and studied as 1986 Fleer still has its quirks, errors, and overlooked stories. Most collectors can spot a Jordan rookie from across the room, but far fewer can tell you who’s actually pictured on Steve Johnson’s card. That’s what keeps me curious; there’s always another layer, always another story waiting to be uncovered.
Happy collecting!
P.S. Do you recognize the Clipper with Greenwood on Steve Johnson’s card?
Based on Basketball Reference… I’m pretty sure the Clipper is Marques Johnson.