1978 Topps Carlton Fisk #40
Carlton Fisk · Topps · Base / Hall of Fame
Player
Carlton Fisk
Set
1978 Topps Base Set
Year
1978
Card #
40
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - Centering is noticeably shifted to the right (approx 70/30). Corners show slight blunting, especially on bottom right. Surface appears clean but edges have minor fuzziness characteristic of the era.
Category
Base / Hall of Fame
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Fisk is a highly respected Hall of Famer with a dedicated niche of Red Sox and White Sox vintage collectors, though this is not his rookie year.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$5.00 - $12.00
Graded Value
PSA 4: $15-20, PSA 5: $25-35, PSA 6: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar mid-grade condition range from $6.00 to $10.00. PSA 7 copies typically sell for around $75-90, while PSA 5 copies average $28.
Description
This 1978 Topps Carlton Fisk card captures the Hall of Fame catcher in his classic Boston Red Sox home white jersey. The card features the iconic late-70s Topps design with a red border frame, a catcher silhouette icon in the lower-left, and bold block lettering for the team name. Fisk is shown in profile wearing his signature red helmet and chest protector.
Key Features
Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk; Iconic 1978 design; Red Sox team history; Durable late-70s card stock.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Card stock shows correct age discoloration; 'Catcher' silhouette detail is sharp; internal red frame lines are consistent with 1978 lithography patterns; no common reprint markers present.
Flaws to Note
Significant right-side centering bias; blunting on the bottom-right corner; minor chipping on the right edge; typical vintage print graininess in the background bokeh.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this specific card due to high volume of vintage set builders. A local card show 'dollar bin' or 'vintage value box' is also a good secondary option.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card unless you believe it can hit a PSA 8 or higher, as grading costs will exceed the value of a mid-grade vintage base card. List with high-resolution scans of front and back to satisfy vintage collectors. Use bubble mailer with tracking if selling for over $20.