1972-73 Topps NHL Scoring Leaders #1 Phil Esposito / Bobby Orr / Jean Ratelle
Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Jean Ratelle · Topps · Base / League Leader Insert
Player
Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Jean Ratelle
Set
1972 Topps Hockey (Main Set)
Year
1972
Card #
1
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (Very Good) - Moderate corner rounding, edge wear, and visible surface scuffing/scratches on the dark areas.
Category
Base / League Leader Insert
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate - Strong. Bobby Orr cards always have a dedicated market, though leader cards typically command less than solo player base cards.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $10-15, PSA 3: $25-35, PSA 4: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for mid-grade copies range from $18 to $30. PSA 4 examples recently sold for approximately $55, while PSA 1 and 2 copies sell for under $15.
Description
A classic 1970s leader card featuring three Hockey Hall of Famers. The card features 1971-72 Scoring Leaders Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, and Jean Ratelle in a vertical three-panel layout. Bold yellow and red 'NHL SCORING LEADERS' banner at the bottom. This is the first card in the highly collected 1972 Topps set.
Key Features
Features two of the greatest Bruins in history (Esposito and Orr); Card #1 in the set is historically difficult to find in high grade due to placement at the top of stacks; Features three Hall of Famers.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence authentic. Card stock shows appropriate age-related browning; Print pattern displays standard 1970s lithographic dots under magnification; No signs of common modern reprint glossy coatings.
Flaws to Note
Soft and rounded corners; Significant whitening on edges; Visible surface scratches and scuff marks in the black background panels; Top-to-bottom centering is slightly heavy toward the bottom.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this raw vintage card. It would also sell well in a vintage-focused Facebook group or at a local card show.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this specific card; the grading fees will likely exceed the value increase given its current condition. List with 'Bobby Orr' and 'Hall of Fame' in the title. Use a clear photo of the back to verify it is not a 'O-Pee-Chee' variant.