2019 October Legends Closing October 19
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2019
Encapsulated and assessed "Authentic" by SGC, the only specimen validated by that company. Hall of Famer. This unique and unissued, blank-backed proof piece from 1977 features Reggie Jackson in a Baltimore Orioles uniform – while retaining the New York Yankees team caption. Topps' Jackson entry for the preceding year showed the slugger in an Athletics uniform, even though Reggie was traded from Oakland to Baltimore in April of 1976. He appeared in 134 games as an Oriole in '76, and the card planned for 1977 would have shown the athlete wearing that team's uniform. Late in 1976, though, Jackson signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent. This circumstance brought about the need for a quick change, and Topps reacted by modifying his 1977 Topps card to substitute the now-familiar, airbrushed image displaying a Yankees batting helmet and jersey pinstripes. But this captivating, full-color depiction, which exists only in proof card form, survived to delight the modern hobby as a much-coveted rarity. It's been credibly speculated that extant copies of this 1977 Topps Jackson/Orioles portrayal are limited to a single-digit quantity. Although visibly hand-cut, the offered card betrays almost no evidence of circulation. This is an outstanding and charismatic specialty piece picturing a modern superstar, and a compelling potential addition to a highest-quality assembly of elite baseball cards.