Ryan Mutombo 1st Bowman Basketball Card Appraisal
Category: Sports Memorabilia
Description
This is a Ryan Mutombo 1st Bowman basketball trading card. The card features a full-color action shot of Ryan Mutombo in a white jersey with the number 21, shooting a basketball. Another player in a blue jersey is visible defending. The card is predominantly pink colored around the border and includes a holographic or refractor effect, particularly noticeable in the upper right and along the left border. The words "1st BOWMAN" are printed in white in the upper right corner. Along the bottom, "RYAN MUTOMBO" is printed in white above a blue banner with the "Bowman" logo and "TT" inside shields. The card appears to be made of cardboard or thick paper stock and is housed in a clear protective plastic sleeve. Surface condition seems generally good based on the image, with no obvious major creases or tears, although minor edge wear or surface scratches cannot be definitively ruled out from the photograph alone. This card represents Ryan Mutombo's first appearance in a Bowman product, making it a sought-after item among collectors.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the Ryan Mutombo 1st Bowman basketball card. Based on the visual evidence, this appears to be an authentic example of Mutombo's inaugural Bowman card with a pink refractor finish. Authenticity from an image alone is limited; a physical examination is required to verify the card stock, printing quality, and refractor effect definitively. I would also recommend provenance documentation or, potentially, third-party grading for full authentication and condition assessment. The card's surface appears generally clean with no obvious major flaws visible in the photograph, although minor imperfections, particularly edge wear or surface micro-scratches on the refractor surface, cannot be ruled out without in-person assessment under proper lighting and magnification. The '1st Bowman' designation makes this a key rookie-year card for pre-NBA collectors. Market demand for Ryan Mutombo currently resides in the lower to mid-tier of college basketball prospects. Comparables for standard refractors of similar college players from this product year typically range from a few dollars to around twenty dollars depending on player profile and condition. This pink refractor likely carries a slight premium over the standard version due to its lower print run, adding to a limited rarity. Key value drivers for this card are its ‘1st Bowman’ status and the pink refractor parallel. Without definitive condition grading or in-hand inspection, my appraisal is based on the assumption of a mid-grade condition (likely raw, ungraded).
Appraisal Value
$15-30