1987 Topps Steve Garvey #480
Steve Garvey · Topps · Base
Player
Steve Garvey
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
#480
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint). Reasons: Centering is heavily shifted to the top-right (roughly 70/30 or 80/20 top-to-bottom); corners show slight rounding particularly on the bottom right; surface appears clean but edges show minor white chipping against the woodgrain border.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low to Moderate. While Garvey is a legendary figure and this set is nostalgic, the extreme overproduction of the 1987 set makes this specific card very common unless it is a perfect PSA 10.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.25 - $1.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $10-15, PSA 9: $30-40, PSA 10: $250-300
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for under $1 or are found in bulk lots for pennies. PSA 9 copies recently sold in the $25-$35 range. PSA 10 copies command a high premium ($250+) due to the difficulty of finding centered woodgrain borders.
Description
Features the iconic 1987 Topps woodgrain border design. Steve Garvey is pictured in his San Diego Padres pinstripe home uniform, seated on the grass in a stretching or candid pose. The card features the classic 'Padres' circle logo in the top left and a yellow name bar in the bottom right.
Key Features
Features Steve Garvey, a 10-time All-Star and 1974 NL MVP. The 1987 Topps woodgrain design is one of the most beloved and recognizable aesthetics of the 'junk wax' era.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. This is a common card from a high-production era. Genuine indicators include the specific dot-matrix printing pattern visible in the skin tones and the coarse feel of the 1987 card stock. Not a target for counterfeiting.
Flaws to Note
Significant top-to-bottom centering bias where the bottom woodgrain border is much thicker than the top. Minor corner wear on the lower right edge. The woodgrain borders on this set are notoriously difficult to find in Gem Mint condition due to edge chipping showing white paper stock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a team set (Padres), a player lot (Steve Garvey), or a complete 1987 set on eBay or at a local card show 'dollar bin.' Graded copies are best sold on eBay or COMC.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card unless you believe it is a flawless PSA 10, as the grading fee will far exceed the card's value. When listing, use keywords like 'Woodgrain,' 'Padres,' and 'HOF candidate.' It is best used as a 'bonus' card in a larger lot of 1980s stars.