1968 Topps Walter Johnson The Sporting News All-Time All-Stars #494
Walter Johnson · Topps · Insert/Subset - All-Time All-Star
Player
Walter Johnson
Set
1968 Topps Base Set - The Sporting News All-Time All-Stars Subset
Year
1968
Card #
#494
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (Very Good) - PSA 4 (Very Good - Excellent)
Category
Insert/Subset - All-Time All-Star
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 3: $30-40, PSA 4: $50-65, PSA 5: $85-110
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for mid-grade specimens hover between $15 and $22. PSA 4 examples have recently sold for $55-$68 on eBay. High-grade (PSA 8+) copies of this card jump significantly to over $400, but this specific card does not meet that condition threshold.
Description
A classic piece of Topps history featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Walter 'The Big Train' Johnson. This 1968 card #494 is part of the prestigious 'The Sporting News All-Time All-Stars' subset. It features a black and white vintage action photo framed by a vibrant yellow border, with a red banner at the top and the iconic 1968 diagonal striped detail in the lower right corner.
Key Features
Features one of the 'Big Five' original Hall of Famers; Iconic 1968 Topps design; High number card (subset), which are often more collected than mid-series cards; Official Sporting News branding.
Authenticity Indicators
Genuine 1968 Topps card stock with appropriate pulp/color on edges. High confidence in authenticity; the card shows natural cardboard aging and the half-tone printing patterns consistent with 1960s production. Not a high-risk counterfeit target.
Flaws to Note
Significant top-to-bottom centering issues (bottom heavy); visible softening on all four corners; edge chipping along the right side; minor surface staining/speckling in the white top border; slight 'diamond cut' tilt.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (Auction or Buy It Now), COMC for a hands-off approach, or vintage-specific Facebook groups like 'Vintage Baseball Cards'.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees (approx $20+) plus shipping would likely exceed the value added for a grade of 4 or lower. Sell it raw. Use high-resolution scans of front and back to show the corner wear and centering honestly.