![](http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa234/golfinleft/Rickey%20pics/97Pinnacle1.jpg)
As far as I can tell, the first "official" press plates to be released were found inside packs of 1997 New Pinnacle. As a way of promoting this new and innovate insert, Pinnacle inserted "Press Plate Previews" which were made directly from the 1997 Pinnacle base set press plates.
![](http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa234/golfinleft/Rickey%20pics/97PinnacleProof1.jpg)
Until now, the 1997 Pinnacle Press Plate Preview was one of the few older Rickey cards that I'd yet to even see a picture of. These were limited to only 8 copies, with one selling on eBay a few weeks ago for $301. I was not the high bidder, but the seller was kind enough to e-mail me scans of the front and back of the cards.
![](http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa234/golfinleft/Rickey%20pics/97Pinnacle2.jpg)
Although I was never a fan of the fronts of the 1997 Pinnacle set, I did appreciate the little bit of creativity that they used with the carved bat names on the back.
![](http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa234/golfinleft/Rickey%20pics/97PinnacleProof2.jpg)
Although the backs of the cards indicate that they are a "one of one," there was an announced print run of eight copies of each card. I also like the fact that it says the exact date in which the card was printed, in this case 12/20/1996. The back of each press plate preview included a number, which according to Beckett, if a dealer found a number that matched the number of their case, they would win a special prize package. Not sure what that package consisted of, but considering there was only one if them, it was probably pretty nice!