1972-73 Topps NHL Playoffs Game 5 at Boston #174
Gilles Villemure and Unknown Boston Bruins Player · Topps · Base / Postseason Highlight
Player
Gilles Villemure and Unknown Boston Bruins Player
Set
1972-73 Topps Hockey
Year
1972
Card #
#174
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) to PSA 4 (VG-EX). Note: Centering is heavily shifted to the left (approx 85/15). Significant wear on lower left corner and mild softening on upper right.
Category
Base / Postseason Highlight
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. There is a consistent market for 1972-73 Topps hockey set builders and NY Rangers team collectors, though 'highlight' cards have lower demand than individual player cards.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$3.00 - $8.00
Graded Value
PSA 3: $12-18, PSA 4: $22-30, PSA 5: $45-55. (Note: Grading cost likely exceeds card value).
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar mid-grade condition range from $4.00 to $9.00 plus shipping. High-grade PSA 8 copies have reached over $100, but this specimen does not qualify for that tier due to centering.
Description
This 1972-73 Topps card commemorates the 1971-72 NHL Playoffs, specifically Game 5 held at Boston between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins. The card features a horizontal vintage action shot showing Rangers goaltender Gilles Villemure in net. The iconic 1972 design features a 'tombstone' style border with large vertical text reading '1971-72 NHL PLAYOFFS'.
Key Features
Includes imagery of Hall of Fame era players; part of a popular vintage set known for its high-color photography and unique vertical text design. Features the New York Rangers victory over the eventual Stanley Cup champion Bruins.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The card shows correct 1970s gray-back chipboard stock, appropriate ink dot patterns (halftone) under magnification, and authentic age-related oxidation. Not a commonly faked card.
Flaws to Note
Severe left-to-right centering bias (OC); rounding and slight delamination on the bottom left corner; edge chipping visible on the right side; minor surface clouding and typical vintage card stock toning.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now or low-start auction) or COMC. It is best suited for vintage hockey set-builder groups on Facebook.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the cost of grading will far exceed the market value due to centering issues. Sell as 'Raw/Ungraded'. Use keywords like '1972-73 Topps Hockey', 'NY Rangers', and 'Vintage NHL' in the title.