AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a 1987 Donruss baseball card featuring Ted Simmons in an Atlanta Braves uniform, identified by card number 281. The card is physically encapsulated in a professional tamper-evident acrylic slab from a third-party grading service, appearing to be CSG or a similar entity. Notably, the card features a bold, on-card blue ink autograph from Ted Simmons, which has received a perfect '10' grade for the signature quality as indicated on the header label. The card itself displays characteristic 1987 Donruss design elements, including the iconic black border with colored accents and the classic Donruss logo in the upper left corner. The item is presented in a premium 'Legendary Collection' commemorative display box, featuring a red trim tray and custom-cut black foam padding designed to protect the slabbed card. The lid of the box is white with the 'Legendary Collection' branding in stylized script. The condition of the slab appears pristine with no visible light scratches or scuffs, protecting the card within from UV light and environmental damage. The card shows no evidence of fading or corner wear through the protective case. This particular piece represents a significant modern hobby collectible, combining a Hall of Fame player's career-late card with a certified, high-grade autograph in a deluxe presentation format.

I have examined the 1987 Donruss Ted Simmons #281, encapsulated and featuring a certified on-card autograph. The card is presented in a 'Legendary Collection' commemorative display, which adds significant aesthetic appeal and secondary market 'shelf presence' compared to standard slabbed cards. The signature is a vibrant blue ink on-card specimen, correctly assigned a '10' grade for its clarity, flow, and lack of skipping. The 1987 Donruss set is notoriously difficult to find in high grade due to sensitive black borders; however, this card appears well-centered with sharp corners through the acrylic. Ted Simmons’' status as a Hall of Famer (Class of 2020) ensures steady demand among Braves collectors and HOF autograph pursuers. While the 1987 Donruss is a 'junk wax' era base card, the authenticated '10' signature elevates it to a premium collectible tier. My valuation reflects current market trends for HOF-certified signatures in specialty packaging. Limitations: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence. While the slab appears authentic, a physical inspection is required to verify the tamper-evident seals of the holder and use a 10x jeweler's loupe to confirm the dot-matrix printing patterns of the card stock to rule out high-quality reprints. Full authentication would also involve cross-referencing the certification number on the header with the grading service’s database to ensure the slab has not been compromised or cloned.