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Known as "Charlie Hustle," Pete Rose is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in hits, with 4,256 across 24 seasons. The 1970s were pivotal for Rose, not just for his achievements on the field but also for the variety of baseball cards issued during this time. This decade experienced a surge in collectible cards, featuring both standard Topps releases and food product tie-ins like Kellogg's and Hostess. Cards from this era continue to be highly prized by collectors, with their value heavily influenced by rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base card sets featuring Pete Rose from 1970 to 1979.
- Specialty releases included 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 (like Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to the scarcity and value.
- Most cards from the 1970s do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these features became common 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 food issue card.
- 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 issues, often 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 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 the norm. All of Pete Rose's cards from this time are non-auto and non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and specialty issues from food and promotional products. The value and rarity are driven by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose cards from the 1970s exhibit a wide array of traditional and food/promotional issues, offering diverse options for collectors.
- Condition is crucial for value, especially for hand-cut and test issues such as Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- 1970s Topps cards often have centering and cutting challenges, making high-grade examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues are frequently hand-cut and may display uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- 1975 Topps #320 Rose is particularly popular for its design and value range.
- Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are less common and can fetch higher prices depending on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this era lack autographs and relics, as these features were introduced later.
- Prices can vary significantly: some issues are available for under $10, while rarities and high-grade cards can command several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
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