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Known as "Charlie Hustle," Pete Rose holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader, amassing 4,256 hits across 24 seasons. The 1970s were pivotal for Rose, not only for his impressive on-field performance but also due to the variety of baseball cards issued during this time. This decade saw a rise in collectible cards, including the annual Topps releases and collaborations with food brands like Kellogg's and Hostess. Cards from this era featuring Rose are still highly prized by collectors, with their value depending on rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Each year from 1970 to 1979, Topps released annual base sets that included Pete Rose.
- Specialty releases featured cards from brands like Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc collections.
- Several years included unique multi-player and leader cards, such as batting leaders and All-Star selections.
- Hand-cut and test issues from brands like Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge add to their scarcity and appeal.
- Autographs and memorabilia were not typical for cards from this era, as these features became common 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 product series.
- 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-related, hand-cut issues.
- 1976 disc cards (Blankback, Buckman, Carousel, Crane, Dairy Isle, Isaly, Orbakers, Red Barn, Safelon) - round disc-shaped cards.
- 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) - branded disc issues from various companies.
Autographs & Relics
In the 1970s, autograph and memorabilia cards were not standard. Pete Rose cards from this period are non-auto, non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and specialty issues from food and promotional items. Their value and rarity are influenced by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose's 1970s cards offer a wide array of traditional and food/promotional issues, adding to the diversity for collectors.
- Condition significantly impacts value, particularly for hand-cut and test issues such as Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- Topps cards from the 1970s often suffer from centering and cutting issues, making well-preserved examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues are typically hand-cut and may display uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- The 1975 Topps #320 Rose card 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 based on rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this decade are non-auto and non-relic, as these features were introduced in later years.
- Prices vary widely: some issues are available for under $10, while rare and high-grade cards can sell for several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
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