Charles Barkley’s Earliest Marketcom Sports Illustrated SI Posters
A customer called today, and was wondering if Charles Barkley had a white-bordered SI poster release in the 1980s. I wasn’t sure, so I went back to browse our permanent collection (not for sale…), and lo-and-behold, here’s what I found:
This is Marketcom/SI Poster #4457, featuring a very young Charles unloading a monster dunk on Don Nelson’s Milwaukee Bucks at the old MECCA. There are no other players or identifying details in the frame to help precisely date the photograph, but I’d guess it was taken either late in Charles’ rookie year (1984-85), or early in his second NBA season (1985-86).
Not sure if there are any other Barkley images or variations in the white-bordered series, which ended in 1987; but this is one of the earliest releases in the “color bar” series that replaced the white borders in late 1987:
(Marketcom/SI Poster #7457). Although this poster is also undated (Marketcom often failed to place copyright dates on their posters, presumably to extend the selling life of a design by hiding from the customer the fact that the poster was an old design), this is certainly from the first group of color bar releases – note that the color bar does not extend all the way to the bottom or side edges of the poster. After the initial run of releases, this color bar went right to the edges. Not sure why they made that change – I think I like it better this way!
Barkley fans, these are two of the toughest Charles posters to find. In my ten years in this business, I don’t recall ever seeing the white-border for sale again, and the ’87 color bar rarely comes around, either.
For some great Charles posters that are easier to find, but still highly collectible, check out our Charles Barkley Collection. And for serious collectors, here’s a look at another very rare one – “Uncivil Defense” from Nike as part of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team collection (Nike #5205):
The Sports Posters Blog 
June 21, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Hey, that was me that called! What a great poster…
certainly have never seen it before, and would love to own it. I am lucky enough to have the second one. You guys are great, glad you guys appreciate the poster hobby. Great customer service too. Will talk again soon.
Thanx,
Tyler
March 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm
hi Sir Charles i am 1 of your FANS in Mèxico i`m thin that you are the best in the Worl ..sorrie for mi bad inglis
November 29, 2009 at 10:01 am
Does anybody have the above: “Uncivil Defense” from Nike as part of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team collection (Nike #5205) which they are willing to sell? I am trying to recollect the series and willing to buy this poster. Please reply if you are willing to part with this Barkley poster.
February 20, 2010 at 4:53 pm
My parents recently moved and unearthed a roll of posters I had hung in my room as a kid, including the Barkley above and a similar one of Michael Jordan. I cannot find any information on these posters. Is there any good source or website to research the history and value of these posters?
March 24, 2010 at 9:45 am
Hi Jonathan, if you are willing to part with this Barkley 1992 Olympic Dream Team collection (Nike #5205) poster (depending on the condition) I will be more than happy to discuss an amicable price with you. Please do reply your interest on this post and will be happy to figure a way we can communicate with each other.
May 28, 2010 at 7:23 am
Sorry Toshi. I don’t have the Olympic Barkley poster. Just the white border Barkley Marketcom poster. Same with the Jordan poster–it’s a Marketcom.
September 30, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I have the Barkley 1992 Olympic Dream Team collection (Nike #5205) poster you are looking for and it is in good condition. If you are still interested let me know.
October 25, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I have the Barkley 1992 Olympic Dream Team collection (Nike #5205) poster you are looking for and it is in good condition. If you are still interested let me know. Reply on the site if interested.
December 5, 2012 at 5:51 pm
For sale, is my mint condition, Charles Barkley 1992 Olympic Dream Team Collection poster (#5205). I will be posting it on eBay very soon and will provide a link.
December 14, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Here is the eBay auction of this Charles Barkley 1992 Dream Team poster (#5205) for sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110990129805
April 11, 2013 at 9:10 am
I have a Charles Barkley SI Marketcom White Rim poster #4457. It is an original in average condition. What is an approximate value for this item?
June 3, 2014 at 5:50 pm
i’m looking for bucks marketcom posters any one got them