On the subject of classic baseball playing cards, the nice Roberto Clemente resides within the interior circle of collectibility. Who higher to take us by means of 10 dream Clemente playing cards than Theo of the Clemente Collector YouTube channel. Right here’s Theo:
I’m a Roberto Clemente tremendous collector and I wished to make a listing of the Clemente playing cards that make me drool. You received’t see any base Topps playing cards on this listing. These are 10 Clemente playing cards that the majority Clemente collectors dream about. The order isn’t solely primarily based on shortage, but additionally primarily based on the cardboard’s significance to the general sports activities card pastime.
#10 – 1971 O-Pee-Chee
That is the one card on my listing, that I’ll admit, is a homer choose! The 1971 Topps set is my favourite set of all-time and the Clemente card from the set is my favourite card of his. Past the colour match of the set, and the long-lasting ‘71 Pirates uniforms, the photographer took a tremendous photograph of Clemente laying out the lumber! This was the primary season in 3 Rivers Stadium for the Buccos. The long-lasting a part of the ‘71 O-Pee-Chee set, is the yellow backs. Not like the low numbers, that characteristic a floating head of the participant, the excessive numbers have the identical design because the American model. Don’t underestimate this card, it’s uncommon as PSA has solely graded 75 whole copies.
#9 – 1968 Bazooka
You possibly can’t have a Clemente countdown with out one Bazooka card on it! As simple as it will be to position a Bazooka field on this spot, I wished to be true to the listing and never embrace a full field as a card. The 1968 Bazooka set, is so iconic in my view. The slim playing cards that sat on the gum’s facet panel are so distinctive and funky. This picture of Clemente, out within the area and able to snag a fly ball is totally excellent. Clemente received 12 gold gloves in proper area and much too usually that isn’t seen on his playing cards. This hand minimize card may be very uncommon, with PSA solely grading 29 particular person playing cards.
#8 – 1969 Topps Tremendous
Each Clemente collector is aware of that the 1969 Topps Tremendous Clemente card is uncommon. That is the primary Topps take a look at difficulty card on the countdown. Though the picture can also be used on the ‘69 Topps card and ‘69 Topps Poster, it’s nonetheless a really fascinating card. That is baseball’s first Topps Tremendous set and similar to the opposite ones they’ve rounded corners and are smaller than conventional Topps playing cards, and lots smaller than the ‘70 and ‘71 Tremendous variations. The cardboard’s PSA pop is 146.
#7 – 1967 Topps Punch Outs
One other Topps take a look at difficulty card on the countdown, is the 1967 Topps Punch Out playing cards. Clemente has two variations, a plain background and stadium background. The plain background is extra scarce. This was a recreation designed by Topps and distributed within the Maryland space. The sport directions are on the backs of the playing cards. The participant pictured on the entrance of the cardboard is taken into account the “staff captain.” That is close to and pricey to me, as a result of as a child rising up, we’d create so many enjoyable video games with our baseball playing cards. PSA has solely graded 7 with stadium background and 4 with the plain background.
#6 – 1967 Venezuela Topps
Not essentially the most eye-appealing card of the countdown, however one of many rarest! The 1967 Venezuela Topps playing cards are essentially the most scarce of any of the years Clemente was within the units. The backs had a unique design, than their American counterparts and had been written in Spanish. Gathering the Venezuela Clemente playing cards is one among my favourite chases and that is the white whale. PSA has graded solely 13 copies!
#5 – 1962 Sugardale Wieners
Sugardale adopted Kahn’s lead and produced a Clemente card in 1962. It’s not essentially the most eye-appealing baseball card, however they had been inside packs of sizzling canines for heaven’s sake! Due to that, you received’t discover a excessive graded instance of this card. Not like loads of the Kahn’s playing cards, the 62 Sugardale playing cards are lots scarcer. Once you see this one, it’s most likely at a giant public sale home. This card has solely 24 graded PSA examples.
#4 – 1962 Pittsburgh Displays
Not having this dream card of mine within the prime 3 was very powerful. I used to be born and raised within the Pittsburgh space and each single summer season my household would go to Kennywood Park. Kennywood is a well-known amusement park within the Pittsburgh space that has been open for over 100 years. On the park, they’d a machine to purchase Exhibit playing cards, however in contrast to the remainder of the nation, they’d distinctive ones, unique to the park. As you see, the playing cards had a enjoying card design on the borders. As anticipated, with how unique these had been, they’re extraordinarily scarce. PSA has graded 5 whole examples!
#3 – 1967 Topps Stand-Up
The highest 3 Clemente playing cards are all showstoppers, and the 1967 Stand-Up is not any exception. That is the rarest card on the listing and solely card that was most likely by no means distributed. The cardboard has two variations: proof (uncut) and a die-cut model. It’s believed the 24-card proof set was by no means to depart the manufacturing facility, however some have hit the market of every participant. Think about if the set did get launched and you bought a large head of your favourite participant in a one card pack! A man can dream, proper? The Clemente card has solely had 3 copies graded by PSA.
#2 – 1958 Kahn’s Wieners
The 1958 Kahn’s Clemente card was a sleeping large for a few years, however now everybody that collects meals difficulty playing cards is conscious of it. The 1958 Kahn’s set is essentially the most scarce of any Kahn’s set with Clemente current. The Kahn’s playing cards had been a regional launch, which is without doubt one of the main causes for its shortage. My favourite a part of the cardboard, is the again, which sounds ridiculous. However as proven above, it particulars Clemente’s particular relationship along with his mom and it actually humanizes him, such a cool and distinctive contact to a historic card! PSA has graded 9 whole copies.
#1 – 1968 Topps 3-D
Right here it’s, the granddaddy of all of them! Not the rarest card on this countdown, however essentially the most iconic! The 1968 Topps 3-D is the grail card of extra Clemente collectors than another card, and for good motive. The cardboard at first is unhealthy ass, and tremendous distinctive. The cardboard is scarce, as a result of it was a Topps take a look at difficulty card with a restricted launch in a Brooklyn space retailer. It exists with 3 completely different backs – clean again (most typical), black printed again and purple again (rarest). The cardboard appears to be like approach higher in individual, with the 3D impact Topps used for the primary time. The cardboard is often in increased grade than most scarce playing cards from the interval because of the rounded corners and thicker card inventory. The PSA whole inhabitants is 83 graded examples.
Should you love amassing Clemente playing cards, like I do, please take a look at my YouTube Channel!
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