1986 Topps Marc Sullivan #218
Marc Sullivan · Topps · Base
Player
Marc Sullivan
Set
1986 Topps Base Set
Year
1986
Card #
#218
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint). The card exhibits decent centering but shows visible chipping on the black-bordered top edge. The bottom corners appear slightly soft, and there is minor surface wear characteristic of 80s card stock.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Niche. Primarily sought after by Red Sox team set collectors or 'Junk Wax' era enthusiasts.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.10 - $0.50
Graded Value
PSA 7: $5-10, PSA 8: $15-20, PSA 9: $35-45. (Note: Grading costs exceed current market value for this card).
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $0.25 to $1.00 as part of larger lots. High-grade PSA 10 specimens (extremely rare for this condition) have reached $50+, but mid-grade copies remain extremely affordable.
Description
A classic 1986 Topps baseball card featuring Boston Red Sox catcher Marc Sullivan. The card showcases the iconic large block-letter team name 'RED SOX' at the top against a black border, with a portrait of Sullivan holding a bat during his early years with the club. The lower white margin contains the player name and position icon.
Key Features
Classic 1986 Topps design; Red Sox team affiliation; Father of Marc Sullivan was Haywood Sullivan (former Red Sox GM).
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic. The card stock is the thick, recycled gray/brown cardstock typical of 1986 Topps; colors are correctly muted; print dots in the flesh tones are consistent with 1980s lithographic printing. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Significant white chipping along the top black border is the primary issue. The top-right corner shows a small ding, and the bottom-left corner has slight rounding. Horizontal centering is shifted roughly 60/40 to the right.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as part of a team lot), COMC, or Sportlots. Individually, this card is best suited for local 'nickel/quarter' bins at card shows.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the cost of grading will never be recovered. To sell, group it with other 1986 Topps Red Sox cards or catchers of the era. Use a 'Plain White Envelope' (PWE) for shipping to keep costs lower than the card's value.