Subtitle: A look into Pete Rose's collectible cards from the 1970s, including Topps and specialty food issues.
Meta Description: Explore the iconic 1970s Pete Rose baseball cards, featuring Topps and unique food product tie-ins, with a focus on rarity and condition.
Content:
What’s New
Pete Rose, famously known as "Charlie Hustle," holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time leader in hits, boasting 4,256 over his 24-season career. The 1970s were pivotal for Rose, not just for his on-field success but also for the diverse range of baseball cards produced. This decade saw a proliferation of collectible cards, including Topps' yearly offerings and collaborations with food brands like Kellogg's and Hostess. Rose’s cards from this era are highly coveted by collectors, with values that differ significantly based on their rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets featuring Pete Rose from 1970 through 1979.
- Specialty releases included cards from brands such as Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc sets.
- Multi-player and leader cards, such as batting leaders and All-Star selections, appear in several years.
- Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add both scarcity and value.
- Most cards from this time do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these became standard in later decades.
Key Inserts & Parallels
- 1970 Topps #61 NL Batting Leaders (Pete Rose/Bob Clemente/Cleon Jones) - a multi-player leader card.
- 1971 Bazooka Numbered Test #32 and Unnumbered #5 - hand-cut test issues.
- 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - a card from a food issue.
- 1973 Topps Candy Lids #44 - a test issue with a distinctive round design.
- 1974 Topps Deckle Edge #16 - a black and white card with scalloped edges.
- 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food issues that are hand-cut.
- 1976 disc cards (Blankback, Buckman, Carousel, Crane, Dairy Isle, Isaly, Orbakers, Red Barn, Safelon) - round, disc-shaped issues.
- 1976 Safelon Superstar Lunch Bags #10 - a novelty issue featuring combined players.
- 1977 disc cards (Burger Chef, Chilly Willie, Customized, Dairy Isle, Detroit Caesars, Holiday Inn, MSA, Pepsi Glove, Saga, Wendy’s, Zip’z) - branded disc issues.
Autographs & Relics
During the 1970s, autograph and memorabilia cards were not common. All Pete Rose cards from this era are non-auto and non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and specialty issues from food and promotional items. The value and rarity are influenced by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose cards from the 1970s offer a wide array of traditional and food/promotional issues, enhancing the variety for collectors.
- Condition is crucial for value, particularly for hand-cut and test issues like Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- 1970s Topps cards often have centering and cutting issues, making high-grade examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues are typically hand-cut and can have uneven edges or factory flaws.
- 1975 Topps #320 Rose is notably popular for its design and value range.
- Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are rarer and can fetch higher prices depending on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this decade are non-auto and non-relic, as those features were not introduced until later years.
- Prices vary greatly: some issues are available for less than $10, while rarities and high-grade cards can reach several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
Source: https://www.sportscardportal.com
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