1995 Post Collector Series

 Set size: 16 cards, double-wide (3.5" x 5")

Front Design: The true "front" of the card contains a color photo on a blue marble background, surrounded by the year of issue in yellow on top, the player's name in yellow over a black border on bottom, and a black right-hand border labeling the set as the Post Collector Series. The true "back", seen on the left, contains the card number, player's name, position, team, vital stats, and a career biography. A second photo and career stats appear in the bottom half, with a facsimile signature in a black border at the bottom. The blue marble continues to the back of the card, with a white diamond watermark between the text and the marble. No MLB logos appear on the cards due to a lack of licensing agreement.

Back Design: The backs of the unfolded cards would be inside the card, when assembled as intended. This was a full-bleed color action photo with no text or design added.

Parallels and Similars: There is a Post Canadian set issued in 1995, but it has a unique design.

Distribution: Unlike previous years, when the cards would be inserted into cereal boxes and available through the company, the set was available only through limited in-store promotions. At some point, large amounts of unsold sets made their way into the market, and now the set is nearly worthless.

Thoughts: Of all the Post releases, this might be my favorite. The front and back designs are decent, but what I really enjoy is the oversized action photo with no interference. It would be great if Topps took a stab at an insert set like this. The image below reminds me of the 1997 Zenith set, which featured bright, colorful photography with only a Zenith logo on the front.

Additional Images: card back:

1995 Emotion N-Tense

Set size: 12 cards

Front Design: A player photo sits over an etched-foil background, while a giant silver holographic foil N hovers behind him. An "N-tense" logo, the player's name and his team appear in gold foil at the bottom of the card.

Back Design: Another photo and a paragraph describing the player's intensity fill most of the card space over a color swirling lightning background design similar to the front design.

Parallels and Similars: None.

Distribution: Cards were inserted 1 in 37 packs of Emotion, a Fleer/SkyBox set.

Thoughts: For a foil-heavy 1990s insert card design, this is an attractive card. As you can see from the write-up on the back of Gant's card, the cards are inspirational. The giant N haunts Gant like a Sesame Street letter that was killed by Bert...

Additional Images: card back: