1972-73 Topps #3 NHL Assists Leaders Bobby Orr / Phil Esposito / Jean Ratelle
Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Jean Ratelle · Topps (O-Pee-Chee counterpart exists) · Statistical Leader Card / HOF Multi-Player
Player
Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Jean Ratelle
Set
1972-73 Topps Hockey
Year
1972
Card #
#3
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (Very Good). Visible heavy top-left corner wear, bottom edge chipping, and centering is shifted left-to-right approximately 65/35.
Category
Statistical Leader Card / HOF Multi-Player
Manufacturer
Topps (O-Pee-Chee counterpart exists)
Demand Level
Moderate. Bobby Orr cards always have a floor of demand, but leader cards are generally less desirable than solo base cards or cards from the rookie era.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15 - $25
Graded Value
PSA 2: $12-18, PSA 3: $25-35, PSA 4: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar mid-grade condition range from $18 to $28. PSA 5 copies have recently sold for $75-90.
Description
A classic 1972-73 Topps card featuring three NHL legends. The card honors the 1971-72 season leaders in assists, featuring headshots of Hall of Famers Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and Jean Ratelle. The design uses a bold vertical layout with yellow and white text against a dark background.
Key Features
Triple Hall of Famer card. Features prime Bobby Orr (considered the greatest defenseman ever) and Phil Esposito. Highly collectible 'Leader' subset from a popular vintage design era.
Authenticity Indicators
Correct coarse vintage cardboard stock; the yellow ink on the front shows the correct matte finish for 1972. No signs of modern 'halftone' dot patterns typical of reprints. High confidence: Authentic.
Flaws to Note
Significant rounding and softening of the top-left and bottom-right corners. Noticeable 'snow' (white print dots) in the dark ink sections. Centering is biased toward the left margin. Small ding visible on the bottom right edge.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card to reach hockey vintage specialists. It could also find a buyer at a local card show in the New England or New York areas due to team affiliations.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card. The cost of authentication and grading ($19+) would likely exceed the value added for a PSA 3. Sell raw with high-resolution scans of the front and back to show the corner wear clearly.