In 1988, Bill Ripken played for the Baltimore Orioles and decided in order to find his bat easier among the others, he would write something on the bat knob no one could mistake for their own. Rather than writing his jersey number or his initials, he wrote “Fuck Face”. On the day his picture was taken for his Fleer trading card, he was using that bat and the words made it onto the cards released to the public. Fleer tried to conceal the error due to the outcry from parents and schools with a black box, black scribble, whiteout, and a white scribble. Fleer even cut parts out of the card to mark it for removal from packs. Since its initial release, it has become one of the most iconic sports cards of the 80s and has influenced pop culture in numerous ways from art to music and more!

The “F-Face Art Project” started after I no longer had any cards to collect after completing the collection of 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken variations, so I decided to see if I could commission artists to create new cards in their own unique styles. The idea came to me after seeing the Topps Project 70 / 2020 sets featuring Ermsy and Keith Shore’s artwork. Both Ermsy and Keith Shore have contributed artwork to this project too as well as numerous other fantastic artists!

No. Although to be an official “F-Face Art” card, the bat must have “Fuck Face” on the knob. Here is a list of all the words on the bat knobs on this website:

Asshole
Cal’s Lil Bro
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
Chimichanga
Duck Face
FF
Fish Face
FQCH FACE
Freckle Face
Fuck Face
Fuck You
Fucked Face
Fun Face
Furr Face
Fuzz Face
Hug Face
Iron Man
Phlegm Face
Pig Face (In Japanese)
Poop
Stay Home
Yak Face

The final artwork will be encapsulated by Beckett Authentication Services, giving the entire collection a cohesive look. Beckett requires the cards to be signed on either the front or back in order to be authenticated and encapsulated. There also can’t be lamination over the signature. Beckett will not authenticate cards with signatures that are laminated. In addition, lamination ruins the value of a trading card.

Artwork should ideally be placed in a Card Saver I, or in an alternate way that prevents any movement, between pieces of rigid cardboard. Tape the cardboard together to prevent the card from moving from between the cardboard. Place the cardboard in a small box with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent movement. Ship the box with tracking to ensure safe delivery!

NOTE: Do not simply send the card in an envelope or a padded mailer. The card WILL be damaged! The damage will be creases or corner dings and that is terrible for card value. Please ship responsibly!