The 2001 Ultimate Collection set is beautiful. When it was released, it featured three of the year's top cards in the Mark Prior, Mark Teixeira, and Ichiro autographed rookies. Each card is #'d /250 and signed on card. With Prior's injury, his fell by the wayside. Despite Teixeira's outstanding play, his hovers around the $200 mark. The Ichiro, however, has soared. Many of the copies are locked in personal collections, so when a nice one (many have a faded autograph) shows up on eBay, they usually close for over $1,500.
Albert did not have an autographed card for some reason. His base card is still #'d /250 and features the exact same design. Despite being unsigned, it is the second most valuable card in the set going for $250-300. As with all cards in this set (autographs included), chipping is a problem. Expect to pay a high premium for a good looking copy. The BGS population report lists only 4 9.5 "Gem Mints" out of 27 copies graded (15%).
I'm hoping to get this signed by Albert. I purchased a lot of base Ultimate cards to try to test various kinds of pens on them. What if UD had made this an autographed card rather than an unsigned base card? How much would it go for today? Ichiro's card commands the high price because it is one of his only signed RCs (SPx). I think the BC would still be the best RC, but if this were signed, it would probably be his second best card. I think it would sell for around $1,300.
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