1988 Topps Les Lancaster #583
Les Lancaster · Topps · Base Card
Player
Les Lancaster
Set
1988 Topps Base Set
Year
1988
Card #
#583
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - Estimated. Centering is heavily shifted to the right. Corners show visible whitening (bottom right particularly). Top edge has visible chipping. Surface appears dull with moderate wear.
Category
Base Card
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low. This card originates from the 'Junk Wax' era where production numbers were in the millions. Demand is limited to Cubs team collectors or fans of Lancaster.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.10 - $0.25
Graded Value
PSA 8: $5-10, PSA 9: $15-25, PSA 10: $45-60 (Note: Grading cost exceeds the value of the card)
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies of this card typically range from $0.50 to $1.25 including shipping. Bulk lots of 1988 Topps cards frequently sell for roughly $0.01 to $0.03 per card.
Description
A classic piece of 1980s baseball history, this 1988 Topps Les Lancaster card features the Cubs pitcher in his home blue jersey. The card features the iconic '88 Topps design with an orange and blue border and the diagonal team name in the upper left corner. This particular example is raw and shows signs of age-appropriate storage wear.
Key Features
Features Les Lancaster during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs; classic 'Junk Wax' era design; affordable for team set collectors.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity is High. The card stock is the standard brown cardboard used by Topps in 1988. The dot matrix printing pattern in the sky is consistent with original production. This card is not a target for counterfeiting due to its high print volume and low market value.
Flaws to Note
Heavy right-side centering issues (approx 80/20); whitening on all four corners; edge chipping along the top; minor surface scuffs; tilt in the print alignment.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a bulk lot of 1988 Topps cards on eBay, or placed in a 'quarter-bin' at a local card show. Shipping as a single item is usually not cost-effective.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the grading fees ($19+) significantly exceed the market value. If selling online, use a Plain White Envelope (PWE) to keep shipping costs under $1.00. List as part of a Chicago Cubs team set to increase appeal.