1988 Hygrade Great Backstops Gabby Hartnett #31
Gabby Hartnett · Hygrade · Insert/Specialty Set
Player
Gabby Hartnett
Set
1988 Hygrade Great Backstops
Year
1988
Card #
31
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint). Centering appears slightly shifted left-to-right. Visible chipping on the top-left and bottom-right corners/edges, which is common for black-bordered cards.
Category
Insert/Specialty Set
Manufacturer
Hygrade
Demand Level
Niche. Demand is primarily driven by Chicago Cubs team collectors or Hall of Fame completionists. It is not currently a 'hot' market item.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $10-15, PSA 8: $20-25, PSA 9: $45+. Grading cost typically exceeds the market value of this specific card.
Comparable Sales
Recent sales for individual Hygrade Great Backstops cards typically range from $0.99 to $4.00 for raw copies. Complete sets of all 66 cards have recently sold for $15.00 to $25.00.
Description
A striking vintage-inspired card from the 1988 Hygrade Great Backstops set, featuring Hall of Fame catcher Gabby Hartnett. The card depicts a classic black and white photo of Hartnett in his 1925 Chicago Cubs gear, framed by a bold gold-line border on a deep black background. The 'Great Backstops' logo is featured in the upper right corner.
Key Features
Features Hall of Fame catcher Gabby Hartnett; Part of a niche 1980s set dedicated entirely to legendary catchers; Clean, high-contrast aesthetic.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. This is a modern collector's set from 1988, not a period-accurate 1925 card. The cardboard stock and printing process are consistent with late-80s production. It is not a known target for counterfeiting due to low market value.
Flaws to Note
The high-gloss black borders are extremely prone to edge chipping and corner wear, which are visible on this specimen. A small white nick is present on the top left edge. Centering is slightly heavy toward the left side.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best suited for eBay as a 'Buy It Now' or COMC (Check Out My Cards). It may also sell well in a dedicated Chicago Cubs memorabilia Facebook group.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the grading fees will outweigh the final sale price. Use high-resolution scans to show the black borders clearly. Ship in a standard white envelope (PWE) to keep costs low for the buyer. Mention 'Hall of Fame' and 'Chicago Cubs' in the title.