1971-72 Topps NBA Basketball Champions Milwaukee Bucks #1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor), Oscar Robertson, and the Milwaukee Bucks Team · Topps · Base / Season Highlight / NBA Champions
Player
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor), Oscar Robertson, and the Milwaukee Bucks Team
Set
1971-72 Topps Basketball
Year
1971
Card #
#1
Condition Grade
PSA 1 (Poor) to PSA 1.5 (Fair). Centering is significantly off-right. The corners show heavy wear and rounding, especially the bottom-left and top-right. There are visible surface abrasions, corner creases, and substantial edge chipping along the right-hand border.
Category
Base / Season Highlight / NBA Champions
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. While it features HOF legends, the condition of this specific card limits it to budget-friendly 'filler' status for set builders.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 1: $20.00 - $35.00, PSA 2: $45.00 - $60.00, PSA 3: $75.00 - $100.00
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar 'Poor/Fair' condition range from $12 to $22. PSA 1 encapsulated copies have recently sold for approximately $35-40.
Description
This is the iconic #1 card from the 1971-72 Topps Basketball set, celebrating the 1970-71 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. The card features a horizontal layout with a grainy black and white action photo of the team celebrating, framed by a vibrant red border and the text '1970-71 NBA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS' in blue and yellow. This card is historically significant as it commemorates the first championship for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Oscar Robertson together.
Key Features
It is the #1 card of the set, which is historically difficult to find in high grades due to the 'rubber band' effect at the top of stacks. Features Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Commemorates one of the most dominant championship teams in NBA history.
Authenticity Indicators
Correct card stock thickness for 1970s Topps issues; characteristic 'fuzzy' edge cut from wire-cutting machines of that era; appropriate color saturation of the red and blue ink. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Extreme rounding on all four corners; heavy surface wear and scratches throughout the image; card is centered heavily to the right with almost no white border visible on the left; noticeable corner crease on the bottom left and top right.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (Auction starting at $9.99) or local card shows. This card is not high-enough grade to justify the costs of specialty auction houses like Goldin or Heritage.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees will likely exceed the market value of the card in this condition. Sell as 'Raw/Budget Collector's Copy'. Use the keyword 'Lakers' in addition to Bucks to attract Kareem collectors.