What’s New
Pete Rose, famously dubbed "Charlie Hustle," holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time hit leader with a total of 4,256 hits over his 24-season career. The 1970s were pivotal years for Rose, not just on the field but also in the realm of baseball card collecting. This era witnessed an expansion in collectible cards, including the classic Topps sets and promotional cards tied to food brands like Kellogg's and Hostess. Rose's cards from this decade continue to be highly prized by collectors, with their worth largely dependent on rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets featuring Pete Rose every year from 1970 through 1979.
- Special issues included cards from brands like Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc collections.
- Distinctive multi-player and leader cards, such as those highlighting batting leaders and All-Star picks, appear in several years.
- Hand-cut and test issues (from Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to the scarcity and value.
- Most cards from this period do not feature autographs or memorabilia, as these elements 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 cards.
- 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - a food promotional card.
- 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 design.
- 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food-related 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 card combining player images.
- 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 from various companies.
Autographs & Relics
Autograph and memorabilia cards were not typical in the 1970s. All Pete Rose cards from this time are non-auto, 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 feature a broad array of traditional and food/promotional issues, enhancing the variety for collectors.
- Condition significantly affects value, particularly for hand-cut and test issues such as Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
- 1970s Topps cards often have centering and cutting issues, making high-grade examples more valuable.
- Food and disc issues are usually hand-cut and may display uneven edges or factory imperfections.
- 1975 Topps #320 Rose is notably popular due to its design and value spectrum.
- Specialty 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 those features were introduced in later eras.
- Prices vary greatly: some issues are affordable at under $10, while rarities and high-grade cards can reach several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
Comments