What’s New
Pete Rose, famously known as "Charlie Hustle," holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time hit leader with 4,256 hits across 24 seasons. The 1970s were a pivotal decade for Rose, marked by his exceptional performance on the field and a diverse array of baseball cards. This era saw a boom in collectible cards, including the classic Topps series and food-related releases from brands like Kellogg's and Hostess. Cards from this decade featuring Rose are highly prized by collectors, with their value influenced by rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets that included Pete Rose from 1970 through 1979.
- Special editions featured cards from Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc sets.
- Several years included unique multi-player and leader cards, such as batting leaders and All-Star selections.
- Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to the scarcity and value.
- Most cards from this period do not contain autographs or memorabilia, as these were not common until 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 distinct 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-related, hand-cut cards.
- 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 multiple players.
- 1977 disc cards (Burger Chef, Chilly Willie, Customized, Dairy Isle, Detroit Caesars, Holiday Inn, MSA, Pepsi Glove, Saga, Wendy’s, Zip’z) - company-branded disc issues.
Autographs & Relics
During the 1970s, autograph and memorabilia cards were not standard. All Pete Rose cards from this time are non-auto and non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and special issues from food and promotional products. 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, providing collectors with plenty of variety.
- 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 issues, making well-preserved examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues are typically hand-cut and may have uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- The 1975 Topps #320 Rose is particularly favored for its design and value range.
- Special and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are less common and can fetch higher prices based on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this decade are non-auto and non-relic, as these features emerged in later years.
- Prices vary greatly: some issues are available for under $10, while rarities and high-grade cards can cost several hundred to thousands of dollars.
Comments