2002 Topps Stadium Club Jose Bautista Rookie #138 (Signed In-Person)
Jose Bautista · Topps (Stadium Club brand) · Rookie Card (RC) with Aftermarket Autograph
Player
Jose Bautista
Set
2002 Topps Stadium Club Series 2
Year
2002
Card #
#138
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) Surface/Edges; Autograph Grade: Ungraded (Aftermarket). Card shows slight white chipping on top and bottom right corners and a small surface indentation near the pitcher's elbow.
Category
Rookie Card (RC) with Aftermarket Autograph
Manufacturer
Topps (Stadium Club brand)
Demand Level
Moderate. Bautista has a dedicated following in Toronto, but as an unauthenticated aftermarket 'IP' (In-Person) autograph, it appeals mostly to niche player collectors or those willing to take the risk on authentication.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10 - $25 (Value is dictated by the autograph being unauthenticated and aftermarket)
Graded Value
PSA 8 (Dual Auth/Grade): $75-$120. PSA 9 (Dual Auth/Grade): $150-$200. PSA 10 (Dual Auth/Grade): $400+. Values fluctuate heavily based on autograph authentication.
Comparable Sales
Raw unauthenticated copies of this card with IP autos typically sell for $15-$30. Authenticated (PSA/DNA) copies have recently sold in the $85-$150 range depending on the grade of the card itself.
Description
Featured here is a 2002 Topps Stadium Club Rookie Card #138 of Jose Bautista, shown during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs. This card features a bold blue felt-tip autograph across the mid-section. The design provides a borderless, full-bleed action photo typical of the high-end Stadium Club brand. This is the 'Pitching' version of his rookie card before his transition to a legendary slugger.
Key Features
True Rookie Card (RC) status; Bold blue signature; Early career imagery in a Cubs uniform (Bautista played for 8 MLB teams); High-gloss Stadium Club finish.
Authenticity Indicators
Confidence: High for the card stock; Medium for the signature. The signature matches Bautista's known 'long' style from the mid-2000s including the distinct cross-stroke on the 'B' and the tail on the second 'a'. The card stock shows the correct gloss and thickness for 2002 Stadium Club.
Flaws to Note
Minor corner wear visible on the top right; slight white chipping on the bottom right edge. The autograph is aftermarket (not pack-pulled), meaning it requires professional authentication (PSA/DNA or JSA) to realize full market value.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (Auction with a reserve or 'Buy It Now' with 'Best Offer' enabled); Toronto-based sports card Facebook groups; COMC (only if authenticated).
Selling Tips
The most critical step is to submit this card to PSA/DNA or JSA for autograph authentication. A 'Certified' slab will increase the value by 3x-5x. If selling raw, provide a clear photo of the back of the card and use keywords like 'Bat Flip,' 'Blue Jays Legend,' and 'RC Auto.'