1974 Topps Dick Pole #237
Dick Pole · Topps · Base Card / Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Dick Pole
Set
1974 Topps Base Set
Year
1974
Card #
#237
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) - Centering is significantly off-top to bottom and left to right. Visible corner rounding on all four corners, especially the top left. Surface shows minor staining and edge wear.
Category
Base Card / Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate/Niche; while Pole was a journeyman pitcher, his cards are frequently sought after by 'novelty name' collectors and Boston Red Sox team set builders.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $5.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $8-12, PSA 3: $15-20, PSA 4: $25-35 (Note: Cost of grading exceeds the value of the card at this grade level).
Comparable Sales
Low-grade raw copies consistently sell for $1.00 to $3.00 plus shipping on eBay. Higher grade PSA 8 copies have reached $30-40, but this specific card is not a candidate for a high grade.
Description
A vintage 1974 Topps baseball card featuring Boston Red Sox pitcher Dick Pole. The card features a bright yellow and green border with the 'RED SOX' team name in bold block letters at the top. The image is an outdoor candid shot with an autograph facsimile printed across the player's jersey. The card includes the iconic 'baseball' position indicator in the bottom right corner.
Key Features
This is the rookie card of Dick Pole, a player who has gained a cult following in the hobby due to his unique name. The 1974 set is known for its colorful borders and is the first year Topps released all series at once.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence; the card stock shows the appropriate vintage grey/tan cardboard texture. The ink printing displays the standard 'rosette' pattern under magnification. There are no known major counterfeits of this specific player.
Flaws to Note
Significant centering issues (occurs frequently in this set); heavy corner wear/rounding; edge chipping along the green bottom border; general surface dirt typical for cards of this era.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this low-value vintage card, specifically listed as a Buy It Now with a 'Standard Envelope' shipping option to keep costs low for the buyer.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card. The grading fees will be 5x the value of the card. List it using a high-quality scan and use the keyword 'Rookie' and 'Red Sox' in the title. Shipping via eBay Standard Envelope ($0.60 - $1.00) is the only way to make a profit on cards in this price range.