Subtitle: A Closer Look at Pete Rose's 1970s Card Releases from Topps and Beyond
Meta Description: Explore the 1970s baseball cards of Pete Rose, including Topps, Kellogg's, and Hostess. Learn about the rarity and value of these collectible cards.
Content:
What’s New
Known as "Charlie Hustle," Pete Rose is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in hits, amassing 4,256 hits over a 24-year career. The 1970s were a pivotal era for Rose, not only due to his impressive on-field accomplishments but also because of the diverse array of baseball cards produced. This decade experienced a rise in collectible cards, featuring traditional Topps issues and food product collaborations such as Kellogg's and Hostess. Collectors continue to seek out Rose’s 1970s cards, with values fluctuating based on their rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets with Pete Rose each year from 1970 through 1979.
- Special editions included cards from brands such as Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc sets.
- Several years featured unique multi-player and leader cards, like batting leaders and All-Star selections.
- Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to their scarcity and value.
- Autographs and memorabilia were not typical for this era's cards, becoming standard in later years.
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 a scalloped edge.
- 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food issue cards, 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 from various companies.
Autographs & Relics
Autograph and memorabilia cards were not the norm in the 1970s. All Pete Rose cards from this period are non-autographed and non-relic. Collectors focus on base cards, leader cards, and specialty issues linked to food and promotional items. The value and rarity depend on print runs, condition, and special editions like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose cards from the 1970s offer a broad range of traditional and promotional issues, adding variety for collectors.
- Condition significantly impacts value, especially for hand-cut and test issues such as Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- Topps cards from the 1970s often have centering and cutting challenges, making well-preserved examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues, often hand-cut, may show uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- 1975 Topps #320 Rose is notably popular for its design and value spectrum.
- Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are less frequent and can fetch higher prices depending on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this decade lack autographs and relics, as these features emerged in later periods.
- Prices vary widely: some cards are available for under $10, while rare and high-grade examples can reach several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
Source: https://www.sportscardportal.com
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