1978 Topps George Foster NL All-Stars #5
George Foster · Topps · Base / All-Star Subseries
Player
George Foster
Set
1978 Topps Base Set
Year
1978
Card #
#5
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (Excellent) - Estimated due to visible soft corners, slight top-to-bottom centering bias, and minor surface wear/discoloration.
Category
Base / All-Star Subseries
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low to Moderate - George Foster is a popular Reds legend, but this is a high-population base card from the late 70s. Demand is primarily from team collectors or set builders.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 4: $4-7, PSA 5: $8-12, PSA 6: $15-20
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies of this card range from $0.99 to $3.50 depending on condition. PSA 8 copies generally sell for $25-35, but this specific card's corner wear makes a high grade unlikely.
Description
This 1978 Topps George Foster card features the Cincinnati Reds slugger in his NL All-Star designation. The design includes the classic '78 cursive facsimile signature across the action photo, a green banner in the upper right indicating his position as an Outfield, and a blue 'N.L. ALL-STARS' banner anchored by red stars at the bottom. This card captures Foster during his prime 'Big Red Machine' years shortly after his 1977 MVP season.
Key Features
Features 1977 National League MVP George Foster; Part of the popular 1978 Topps All-Star subset; Iconic Big Red Machine era photography.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. Correct card stock thickness for late 70s Topps; Semi-glossy finish; Dot matrix printing pattern visible in the red 'REDS' text; No evidence of trimming or reprint markers.
Flaws to Note
Significant softening of all four corners; Minor edge chipping; Top-to-bottom centering is heavy toward the top; Surface shows slight 'toning' or age-related yellowing; Minor wax or smudge marks may be present on the reverse.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now or small auction), COMC for long-term listing, or local card shows in the Cincinnati/Ohio area where Reds memorabilia is more popular.
Selling Tips
Due to the cost of grading ($19+) vs. the market value of a mid-grade 1978 card, it is recommended to sell this card 'Raw' (ungraded). List as part of a lot if you have other 1978 Topps or Reds cards to save on shipping. Use keywords: Big Red Machine, Cincinnati Reds, NL MVP, vintage baseball.