Presented here is an original, uncut factory press sheet of 100 cards from the 1985-86 Star Co. Basketball set. It was the card company's third year issue and featured Michael Jordan's second-year card -- still a year before his coveted 1986-87 Fleer (unofficial) rookie card was produced. Like the 1983-84 and 1984-85 issues, this limited product sold only through “master distributors” to a select number of hobby shop around the country, packaged primarily in clear "team bags." The 1985-86 checklist includes 172 basic player cards plus four "Best of the New" highlight cards and a 10-card Michael Jordan bonus set. In addition, there are eight Celtics variations with alternate color borders (green or white), making the official count 194 cards.
This uncut sheet was consigned by a former employee of Star's printing company, Citation Graphics (Pennsauken, NJ). Apparently, only a select number of employees received one as a performance award or gift. The set was printed on two 100-card size sheets. This particular sheet has just about all the important cards in the set (the other, #1-94, has the Lakers team and that's about it). Starting with #95 Larry Bird (green border) at the top left, all 16 Celtics variations are included. The most significant card in this set, #117 Michael Jordan, appears third row from the top, next to Robert Parish's white border card. The most notable rookie card, #166 Patrick Ewing, is also present in the middle next to #121 George Gervin (his last card issued as player). Jordan is pictured 12 times in all. His complete 10-card set appears along the bottom row, from "Checklist" (1 of 10) to "The Future" (10 of 10). MJ's blue-bordered "Best of the New" card appears in the second-to-last row alongside Ewing, Olajuwon and Sampson of the same theme on the right side.
Overall, the thin cardboard sheet presents well (EX) considering it's age and awkward size. The sheet measures 28" by 40" with the 10x10 card layout being 26.5" by 36.25". There are two tears on the top and bottom edges (only in the white borders, not affecting any cards), a pinhole at the top from how it was previously displayed, and a black pen mark on the bottom left border, plus scattered creasing throughout. The top left corner of Jordan's #117 card has a minor crease, but his "Best of the New" card is in perfect shape. Whether you collect Jordan or basketball in general, this is one of the more unique pieces to own sourced right from the site of its production.