1971 Topps Baseball Card # 269 Gail Hopkins

Description: 1971 Topps Baseball Card # 269 Gail Hopkins - Kansas City Royals (EX) 1970-1979 Baseball Cards1970s baseball cards are largely considered to be the last of the vintage baseball cards. During the 1970s, more people were starting to recognize a collectible value in baseball cards. For most, though, it was still about having fun and connecting with their favorite players and teams, with little regard for the financial value of the cards themselves. Today, there are many valuable 1970s baseball cards, including a large selection of Hall of Famer rookie cards. Among the many Hall of Famers who made their cardboard debuts during the 1970s are Ozzie Smith, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Robin Yount, Carlton Fisk, Dennis Eckersley, Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor.1971 Topps Baseball Cards Best known for its condition-sensitive black borders, 1971 Topps Baseball is very tough to find in high-grade. Key rookie cards include Bert Blyleven, Steve Garvey and a multi-player card with Don Baylor and Dusty Baker.Product Details1971 Topps Baseball is wildly popular based on the player selection, key rookie cards, and the challenge that the sensitive design presents. Also an appealing option for set builders, the release draws a wide range of collectors.The 1971 Topps Baseball card set has two major distinctions that set is apart from previous releases. First, the checklist size once again rewrote the record books, delivering a total of 752 cards. Also, the set is widely considered to be the most condition-sensitive of all-time.Although the design represents a vast improvement over the previous year, one major point of contention for collectors is the black borders in 1971 Topps Baseball. This makes the cards extremely susceptible to damage, particularly in the form of edge wear, chipping and corner fraying. These condition traits make the set set one of the most difficult to assemble in high-grade condition. Singles that do receive high marks can command huge sums as vintage collectors aggressively compete for these rare gems.In addition to the notorious black border, the front of the cards display the player's team nickname in large letters along the top of the card. The player's name and fielding position are found below that in lower-case lettering and are separated by a dot. The cards also display a facsimile signature on the player photo.The action photography on the 1971 Topps Baseball cards was met with delight by collectors, who after decades of posed player portraits, welcomed the change of pace. In-game action photographs were used throughout the set's base card checklist. Up to this point, these types of photos had been only used for the World Series and Playoff Highlights subsets. Perhaps the most iconic option in the release, Thurman Munson's All-Star Rookie card showcases a close play at home plate with Munson trying to tag out an Oakland Athletics base runner.A first for Topps, the backs of the 1971 Topps Baseball cards also feature a photo of each player. Unfortunately, this came at the expense of season-by-season statistics for each player, as there was simply not enough space to include both. The lack of in-depth statistics was unpopular with collectors but the look is distinct and the green back enhances that.Largely anchored by Hall of Fame names, 1971 Topps also has quite a few notable rookies. While there are none that fall in the superstar category, Bert Blyleven, Don Baylor and Dusty Baker, Steve Garvey, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Singleton are some of the key rookie cards in the product.Additionally, three recurring subsets add to 1971 Baseball, including League Leaders (#61-72), Playoff Highlights (#195-202) and World Series Highlights (#327-332). Collectors can also find checklists, team cards and multi-player Rookie Stars.As is the case with most vintage Topps sets, the 1971 Topps Baseball high-number cards are slightly more difficult to locate and are generally more expensive. In addition to the seventh series of cards (#644-752), the sixth series (#524-643) also appears to have been printed in smaller quantities than the previous five. It is widely accepted amongst collectors that 44 cards in the final series were double printed. As a result, the remaining 66 cards from the series are considered to be short prints in comparison.Only a few variations exist in 1971 Topps Baseball and most are subtle differences due to the printing process. Missing copyright information, ink blotches and other non-glamorous issues constitute other reasons for the sets variations with several checklist cards. However, none of these cards carry any sort of additional premium.Collectors can find two inserts in the vintage release. Scratch-Offs return from the previous year with the same basic format. Also, as was the case in '64 Topps 1971 Topps Baseball includes a large set of metal Coins inserts.Finally, the Canadian O-Pee-Chee version of 1971 Topps Baseball includes the entire set along with updates not found in the US release for traded players. OPC cards are easily distinguished based on the yellow backs and because most feature French and English text.How We Grade: Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks. Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund.Standard Shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is $3.95 per individual item purchased.Standard/Combined Shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card when purchased through the E-bay Shopping Cart application, with a max. of (40) items per invoice.Shipping costs are subject to change as postal rates continue to increase. Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase. Please see the shipping tab for current postage rates. All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes.Please see all of our other ads & visit our store for some great deals on both New & Vintage cards, comics and more.If you do not see what you are looking for, do not hesitate to ask. 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Price: 4.95 USD

Location: Madison, Alabama

End Time: 2025-01-08T19:32:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.95 USD