2013 Topps Archives Jon Lester Autograph #86
Jon Lester · Topps · Autograph, Base-Style Parallel
Player
Jon Lester
Set
2013 Topps Archives (1986 Topps Design)
Year
2013
Card #
#86
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) / BGS 8.5 – Centering appears slightly heavy to the right (approx 65/35). Top left corner shows minor softening. Surface appears clean, edges seem crisp for paper stock.
Category
Autograph, Base-Style Parallel
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate - Primarily appeals to Red Sox team collectors and fans of the 1986 design. Lester is a respected veteran, but as a retired pitcher, his market is stable rather than volatile.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $25-35, PSA 9: $45-60, PSA 10: $120+
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for 2013 Archives base stars range from $1.00 to $5.00. However, Lester’s specific 1986-design card often fetches a slight premium ($3-$8) among Red Sox die-hards. High-grade (PSA 10) examples of stars from this set have sold for $30-$50 depending on the design year.
Description
Featured here is a 2013 Topps Archives card of Boston Red Sox ace Jon Lester, utilizing the iconic 1986 Topps design. The card features a vibrant action shot of Lester on the mound in his Red Sox home whites. Notably, this card features a printed 'on-card' style facsimile autograph as part of the base set design, though some may mistake it for an authentic signature; this is a standard base card from the Archives set.
Key Features
Features the popular 1986 Topps 35th Anniversary throwback design; depicts a 3-time World Series Champion and potential future Red Sox Hall of Famer in his prime Red Sox uniform.
Authenticity Indicators
High Confidence. The card exhibits the correct semi-gloss finish for 2013 Topps Archives. The Topps logo and 'Pitcher' ribbon colors are consistent with authentic production. The 'autograph' is perfectly flat and part of the print layer, confirming it is a standard base card and not a limited chase version.
Flaws to Note
Significant right-side centering bias. Minor white tipping on the top left corner visible against the black background. Facsimile signature is part of the print and not a real ink autograph, which is often a source of confusion for new collectors.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best venue for this specific card, ideally utilizing the 'eBay Standard Envelope' shipping to keep costs low. It would also perform reasonably well in a Red Sox-themed lot on Mercari or at a local card show in the New England area.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the cost of grading ($19-25) exceeds the raw market value, especially given the centering issues. List as '2013 Topps Archives Jon Lester' and avoid using the word 'Autograph' in the title without clarify it is a 'Facsimile' or 'Printed Sig' to avoid return requests.