1969-70 Topps Tallboy Adrian Smith #97
Adrian Smith · Topps (T.C.G.) · Vintage Base
Player
Adrian Smith
Set
1969-70 Topps Basketball Tallboy
Year
1969-70
Card #
97
Condition Grade
PSA 1 (PR) to PSA 1.5 (FR). Visible heavy creasing in upper right corner, significant edge wear, paper loss/scuffing on the right edge, rounded corners, and off-center printing.
Category
Vintage Base
Manufacturer
Topps (T.C.G.)
Demand Level
Moderate. Smith was an All-Star MVP (1966) and an Olympic Gold Medalist, but as a non-HOF player in low grade, interest is primarily from set builders or University of Kentucky alumni.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$3.00 - $8.00
Graded Value
PSA 1: $10-15, PSA 2: $15-25, PSA 3: $30-40 (Grading not recommended due to condition vs cost)
Comparable Sales
Low-grade raw copies of this card typically sell for under $10. PSA 7 copies can reach over $60, but copies with similar creasing and corner wear have recently sold for $2.00 to $5.00.
Description
Vintage 1969-70 Topps basketball card featuring Adrian 'Odie' Smith of the Cincinnati Royals. This is an iconic 'Tallboy' oversized card. The reverse provides collegiate highlights from Kentucky, NBA career stats, and a whimsical 'Grand Old Opry' cartoon illustration at the bottom.
Key Features
Oversized 'Tallboy' format (approx. 2-1/2 by 4-11/16 inches); popular First Topps Basketball set in over a decade; legendary Cincinnati Royals guard; classic vintage design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The 'T.C.G. PRTD. IN U.S.A.' copyright and the specific porous card stock texture typical of 1960s cardboard are present. The blue and red ink halftone dots in the cartoon are consistent with period printing technology.
Flaws to Note
A major horizontal crease/bend is visible in the top right corner. The top right corner also shows significant paper fraying. The right edge has a white scuff indicating surface paper loss. Centering is shifted heavily to the bottom-left on the reverse. General corner rounding and cumulative edge wear are present.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay or COMC. Given the condition, it is best sold as a 'filler' card for collectors trying to complete the 1969 set on a budget.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the fees for authentication and grading would exceed its market value. List it clearly with 'High Resolution Photos' and note the creases. Use keywords like 'Tallboy', 'Cincinnati Royals', and 'Big Blue Nation' for Kentucky fans.