Subtitle: Explore the Diverse Range of Collectible Pete Rose Cards from the 1970s
Meta Description: Discover the variety and rarity of Pete Rose baseball cards from the 1970s, including Topps, Kellogg's, and Hostess, with insights into their value and collectibility.
Content:
What’s New
Pete Rose, famously known as "Charlie Hustle," holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time hit leader with 4,256 hits over his 24-season career. The 1970s were a pivotal decade for Rose, not only for his performance on the field but also for the diverse array of baseball cards released. This era witnessed a surge in collectible cards, featuring both the classic Topps editions and food product collaborations such as Kellogg's and Hostess. Cards of Rose from this decade are highly prized by collectors, with values fluctuating based on their rarity and condition.
Configuration at a Glance
- Topps released annual base sets showcasing Pete Rose each year from 1970 to 1979.
- Specialty cards included releases from brands like Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc collections.
- Several years featured unique multi-player and leader cards, including batting leaders and All-Star selections.
- Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) add to their scarcity and value.
- Most cards from this time do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these features became standard 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 food issue 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.
- 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food issues requiring hand-cutting.
- 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 player combinations.
- 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 Pete Rose cards from this era 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 determined by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.
Collector Notes
- Pete Rose cards from the 1970s offer a broad selection of traditional and food/promotional issues, enhancing the variety available to collectors.
- The condition significantly impacts the 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 usually hand-cut and may have irregular edges or factory imperfections.
- The 1975 Topps #320 Rose card is especially popular for its design and value spectrum.
- 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 period are non-auto and non-relic, as these features were not introduced until later.
- Pricing can vary significantly: some cards are affordable at under $10, while rarities and high-grade examples can reach several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
Source: https://www.sportscardportal.com

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