Nolan Ryan Baseball Card Appraisal

1988 Topps Kmart 'Memorable Moments' Nolan Ryan Baseball Card

This item is a 1988 Topps Kmart 'Memorable Moments' Nolan Ryan baseball card, featuring a dynamic image of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in his Houston Astros uniform, caught in the act of delivering a pitch. The card exhibits a standard baseball card size, likely around 2.5 by 3.5 inches, with a glossy front and a characteristic cardboard material for collectible cards of that era. The design features a white border around the central image, with a thin red inner border. Across the top, a blue banner proclaims 'memorable moments' in white cursive text, overlaying a yellow trapezoidal segment that proudly displays 'NOLAN RYAN' in bold black capital letters. The iconic Topps logo is visible in the upper left corner of the image. A distinctive Kmart logo, rendered in red with a white outline, is prominently placed in the lower right corner, indicating its retail origin as a promotional item. The card appears to be in at least very good condition, exhibiting minimal visible wear to the corners or edges, and good color registration. The overall image clarity is reasonable, although there's some slight blurriness consistent with the age and printing technology of the late 1980s. There are no obvious creases, tears, or significant surface abrasions visible, suggesting it has been well-preserved, possibly housed in a protective sleeve as indicated by the faint outline of a sleeve around the card's perimeter. The card's aesthetic aligns with the late 1980s baseball card design trends, focusing on action shots and simple yet effective graphic elements. The inclusion of the Kmart logo makes this a specific subset within Topps productions, often sought after by collectors interested in varietals or promotional issues.