What’s New
Known as "Charlie Hustle," Pete Rose holds the Major League Baseball record for most career hits, with 4,256 over his 24-year career. The 1970s were pivotal for Rose, not only for his performance on the field but also for the range of baseball cards produced. This era saw a boom in collectible cards, encompassing traditional Topps issues as well as collaborations with food brands like Kellogg's and Hostess. Cards featuring Rose from this decade are still highly prized by collectors, with their value largely dependent on rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets featuring Pete Rose from 1970 through 1979.
- Specialty cards came from brands like Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc collections.
- Multi-player and leader cards, such as those highlighting batting leaders and All-Star selections, were included in several annual releases.
- Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to the scarcity and value.
- Autographs or memorabilia were not typical in this era, becoming standard in later years.
Key Inserts & Parallels
- 1970 Topps #61 NL Batting Leaders (Pete Rose/Bob Clemente/Cleon Jones) - a card featuring multiple players.
- 1971 Bazooka Numbered Test #32 and Unnumbered #5 - hand-cut test cards.
- 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - a card issued with food products.
- 1973 Topps Candy Lids #44 - a test card with a distinctive round shape.
- 1974 Topps Deckle Edge #16 - a black and white card with scalloped edges.
- 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food-related, hand-cut cards.
- 1976 disc cards (Blankback, Buckman, Carousel, Crane, Dairy Isle, Isaly, Orbakers, Red Barn, Safelon) - circular disc cards.
- 1976 Safelon Superstar Lunch Bags #10 - a novelty card featuring player combinations.
- 1977 disc cards (Burger Chef, Chilly Willie, Customized, Dairy Isle, Detroit Caesars, Holiday Inn, MSA, Pepsi Glove, Saga, Wendy’s, Zip’z) - discs branded by various companies.
Autographs & Relics
During the 1970s, autograph and memorabilia cards were not the norm. All Pete Rose cards from this time are non-autographed, non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and unique issues from food and promotional products. The value and rarity are influenced by print numbers, condition, and special releases like test and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose cards from the 1970s offer a broad array of traditional and food/promotional varieties, adding to the collecting experience.
- Condition heavily influences value, especially for hand-cut and test cards like Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge.
- Topps cards from this decade often have issues with centering and cutting, making well-preserved examples more desirable.
- Food and disc issues are frequently hand-cut and might display uneven edges or manufacturing flaws.
- The 1975 Topps #320 Rose card is notably favored for its design and varying value.
- Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are less prevalent and can fetch higher prices based on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this era are non-auto and non-relic, as those features were introduced in later years.
- Prices range significantly: some cards are available for under $10, while rare and high-grade items can reach several hundred to thousands of dollars.
Comments