Pete Rose 1970s Baseball Card Collection: Topps, Food Issues & Scarcity

Darryl P. Nov 28, 2025 5:42pm 1 views

Subtitle: A Comprehensive Look at Pete Rose Cards from the 1970s, Including Topps and Food-Related Releases

Meta Description: Discover the iconic Pete Rose baseball cards from the 1970s, featuring Topps annual releases and unique food product issues. Explore rarity, value, and collector tips.

Content:

What’s New

Pete Rose, famously known as "Charlie Hustle," is celebrated as Major League Baseball's all-time leader in hits, amassing 4,256 over a 24-year career. The 1970s were a pivotal time for Rose, highlighted by his remarkable achievements on the field and the diverse range of baseball cards produced. This decade saw a surge in collectible cards, encompassing the traditional Topps series and several food product collaborations like those from Kellogg's and Hostess. Rose’s cards from this era are highly coveted by collectors, with values varying significantly based on their rarity and condition.

Configuration at a Glance

  • Topps issued annual base sets featuring Pete Rose for 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 sets.
  • There are unique multi-player and leader cards, such as those highlighting batting leaders and All-Star selections, available in several years.
  • Hand-cut and test issues (including Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) contribute to scarcity and added value.
  • Most cards from this period do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these features became standard 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 issues.
  • 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - a card issued with a food product.
  • 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 - hand-cut food product issues.
  • 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 multiple players.
  • 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

Autograph and memorabilia cards were not common in the 1970s. 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. Value and rarity are mainly determined by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.

Collector Notes

  • Pete Rose cards from the 1970s include a diverse range of traditional and food/promotional issues, providing collectors with a variety of options.
  • 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 have centering and cutting issues, making high-grade examples more valuable.
  • Food and disc issues are frequently hand-cut and may have uneven edges or factory imperfections.
  • 1975 Topps #320 Rose is notably popular for its design and broad value spectrum.
  • Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are less frequent and can command higher prices based on rarity and condition.
  • Most cards from this decade lack autographs and relics, as these features were not introduced until later years.
  • Prices can vary widely: some issues are available for less than $10, while rare and high-grade cards can fetch several hundred or even thousands of dollars.

Source: https://www.sportscardportal.com

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Darryl P.

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