1971-72 Topps Tom Boerwinkle #15
Tom Boerwinkle · Topps (distributed by T.C.G.) · Base Card
Player
Tom Boerwinkle
Set
1971-72 Topps Basketball
Year
1971
Card #
15
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) to PSA 4 (VG-EX). The card shows soft rounded corners, significant edge wear with chipping, and typical rough-cut edges from the 1970s. Centering appears slightly shifted toward the bottom-right on the reverse.
Category
Base Card
Manufacturer
Topps (distributed by T.C.G.)
Demand Level
Moderate to Low. Primarily sought after by Chicago Bulls team set builders or vintage basketball completionists. Boerwinkle is a 'cult classic' player but not a Hall of Famer.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$4.00 - $12.00
Graded Value
PSA 3: $15-20, PSA 4: $25-35, PSA 5: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Recent sales for mid-grade (EX/VG) raw copies have ranged between $5 and $10 plus shipping. PSA 7 copies of this card generally sell for $80-$100, but this specific card does not meet that grade criteria.
Description
This is a 1971-72 Topps basketball card featuring Chicago Bulls center Tom Boerwinkle. The reverse side shown features a yellow and blue color scheme with a cartoon illustration and a 'Who was coach of 49-50 Sheboygan Redskins?' trivia question. It displays career pro statistics from the 1968-69 to 1970-71 seasons and bio information including his 7'0" height and Tennessee college pedigree.
Key Features
Early 1970s vintage basketball card; features a notable Chicago Bulls franchise rebounder record holder; iconic 1971-72 Topps design characterized by the small cartoon trivia 'action' box on the back.
Authenticity Indicators
Genuine card. The card stock shows the correct greyish-brown fibrous texture for 1971 Topps; the T.C.G. PRTD IN U.S.A. copyright is authentic; the ink absorption into the cardboard is consistent with heat-set printing of that era. High confidence.
Flaws to Note
Corners are significantly rounded (corner wear); the top and bottom edges show white chipping against the blue border; surface shows some minor staining/toning typical of 50-year-old cardboard cardstock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card as a single. It could also find a buyer in a vintage basketball Facebook group or at a local card show in the Midwest/Chicago area.
Selling Tips
Due to the low value and mid-grade condition, this card is not a candidate for professional grading as fees would exceed market value. Use 'PWE' (Plain White Envelope) shipping with a non-machinable stamp and top loader to keep costs low for the buyer. Mention 'Vintage 1971 Topps' and 'Chicago Bulls' in keywords.