1970-1979 Football Cards

While the 1960s were the first big step for football cards, the 1970s helped establish football cards as a legitimate option for a league with growing popularity. Topps was the king of 1970s football cards and the products include many top rookie players that are still relevant in the hobby today.

A few well-known names top the list of 1970s rookie football cards. Comprised of elite Hall of Fame players, the most valuable rookies from the decade include Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach and Walter Payton. Many other names are hotly pursued by collectors, such as O.J. Simpson, Steve Largent, Earl Campbell, Joe Greene, Steve Spurrier, Tony Dorsett, and Lynn Swann.

1972 Sunoco NFL Stamp Set

The 1972 Sunoco NFL Stamp set includes 624 unnumbered stamps that were handed out at gas stations in 9-player booklets.  The players are organized in teams in sets of 12 offensive and 12 defensive players.  Each stamp, which measures 1 5/8" by 2 3/8", had to be punched out of a perforated sheet and was then intended to be placed in an album.

As the rosters changed, Sunoco issued an update set of 82 more players. The stamps in the update set were issued in much smaller numbers and do not official spot in the album. These 1972 Sunoco Update Stamps are much more expensive than the stamps in the regular issue, and are not considered as part of the standard set.

The key rookies included in the 1972 Sunoco Stamp set are: Roger Staubach, Jack Youngblood, Archie Manning, Art Shell, Mel Blount, and Steve Spurrier

How We Grade:

Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. 

Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. 

Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. 

Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks.

Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. 

Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5)  A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. 

Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. 

Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. 

We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund.

Standard Shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is $3.95 per individual item purchased.

Standard/Combined Shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card when purchased through the E-bay Shopping Cart application, with a max. of (40) items per invoice.

Shipping costs are subject to change as postal rates continue to increase.

Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase.

Please see the shipping tab for current postage rates.

All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes.

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