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Pete Rose, affectionately known as "Charlie Hustle," holds the record for the most hits in Major League Baseball, with 4,256 over a 24-year career. The 1970s were a pivotal decade for Rose, highlighted by his remarkable performances on the field and the extensive array of baseball cards produced. This era saw a boom in collectible cards, including the regular Topps sets and partnerships with food brands such as Kellogg's and Hostess. Pete Rose's cards from this decade are highly coveted by collectors, with values that differ widely based on their rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released yearly base sets featuring Pete Rose from 1970 through 1979.
- Specialty releases included cards from brands like 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, including Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge, add to their scarcity and value.
- Most cards from this period do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these features became common in later years.
Key Inserts & Parallels
- 1970 Topps #61 NL Batting Leaders (Pete Rose/Bob Clemente/Cleon Jones) - multi-player leader card.
- 1971 Bazooka Numbered Test #32 and Unnumbered #5 - hand-cut test issues.
- 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - food issue card.
- 1973 Topps Candy Lids #44 - 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 issues, requiring hand-cutting.
- 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 cards.
Autographs & Relics
During the 1970s, autograph and memorabilia cards were not the norm. All Pete Rose cards from this decade are non-autographed and non-relic. The emphasis is on base cards, leader cards, and special issues from food and promotional products. The rarity and value are largely influenced by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose's cards from the 1970s offer a wide array of traditional and food/promotional issues, adding variety for collectors.
- Condition is a crucial factor in value, particularly for hand-cut and test issues like Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- Topps cards from the 1970s often suffer from centering and cutting issues, making high-grade examples more desirable.
- Food and disc issues are typically hand-cut and may exhibit uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- The 1975 Topps #320 Rose is especially favored for its design and value range.
- Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are rarer and can fetch higher prices depending on their rarity and condition.
- Most cards from this era are non-autographed and non-relic, as those features were introduced in later decades.
- Prices vary significantly: some issues are available for under $10, while rare and high-grade cards can reach several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
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