1977 Topps Russ Francis #251
Russ Francis · Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. · Base
Player
Russ Francis
Set
1977 Topps Football
Year
1977
Card #
251
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT). Reasoning: Centering is heavily shifted toward the top-right. Corners show slight visible whitening/softening. Surface on the back appears clean, but edges show typical 1977 rough-cut characteristics.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.
Demand Level
Low. Russ Francis is a respected 'Patriots Hall of Fame' player, but he is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which limits general market demand to team collectors and set builders.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 5: $5-8, PSA 6: $10-15, PSA 7: $20-30
Comparable Sales
Recent raw copies of this card generally sell for $0.99 to $2.50. Graded PSA 8 copies have sold in the $40 range, but this specific card would not achieve that grade due to centering.
Description
The back of card #251 from the 1977 Topps Football set features New England Patriots Tight End Russ Francis. The card displays a detailed stat grid of his 1975 and 1976 receiving records, biographical information including his draft status (Patriots #1-1975), and a signature 'College Corner' section highlighting his career at the University of Oregon. The card is printed on traditional brown vintage cardstock with black and pink/magenta ink accents.
Key Features
Features a key member of the 1970s New England Patriots; Notable 'College Corner' subset design; 3rd-year card for the 3-time Pro-Bowler.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Authentic vintage cardstock with visible fibers; correct typography and ink bleed patterns for 1977 Topps; no signs of modern reproduction or trimming. It is not a commonly faked card.
Flaws to Note
Significant centering issues with very thin borders at the top and right side. Surface shows some 'snowing' or light print speckling common in 1970s Topps issues. Bottom-left corner shows the most wear.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now for set builders), COMC, or a bulk listing in a Patriots-themed Facebook group.
Selling Tips
Due to the low value and high centering flaw, it is not recommended to grade this card. To maximize value, list it with clear photos of both front and back. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader using eBay Standard Envelope for low-cost tracking.