Dave Parker
Outfield · Oakland Athletics
1989 Topps Baseball #Not visible
Year & Era
1989 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — appears Good to Very Good (VG-EX)
Rarity
Common base card from the mass-produced Junk Wax Era with millions printed
Overall Assessment
A nostalgic base card of a great player severely impacted by condition issues, heavy off-centering, and massive overproduction
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Good to Very Good (VG-EX)
Centering Assessment
Front: Heavily skewed to the left and slightly heavy at the top
Surface Condition
Fair surface with noticeable staining and potential scuffing along the right border and background
Corner Condition
Noticeable rounding and wear on all four corners, especially the top right and bottom left
Edge Condition
Rough edges with chipping along the left and right borders
Print Quality
Standard 1989 Topps quality with acceptable color saturation but poor centering tolerance
Estimated Value
$0.25 - $1.00 raw, practically negligible for grading value
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy suffers from worse-than-average centering and noticeable corner wear compared to typical raw survivors
Authentication Tips
Check for standard cardboard stock thickness and traditional Topps glossy finish typical of 1989; counterfitting is non-existent for common cards of this value
Grading Recommendation
Not worth grading. The grading fees would far exceed the market value of the card even in a high grade
Red Flags
No signs of trimming, but visible staining on the right edge indicates poor storage conditions
Provenance Notes
Sourced from standard 1989 Topps wax or retail packs widely distributed during the peak of the Junk Wax Era
Historical Context
Dave Parker, nicknamed 'The Cobra', was a legendary MVP and multi-time All-Star, though this late-career card depicts him with the Oakland Athletics during their late 80s pennant runs
Market Trends
Stagnant and low value; extremely common card with virtually no upward price movement
Investment Potential
Poor investment potential due to extreme overproduction; strictly a nostalgic keepsake
Similar Cards
Other 1989 Topps baseball star cards such as Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, or Mark McGwire
Display & Preservation
Basic penny sleeve and top loader are sufficient given the low monetary value
Interesting Facts
The 1989 Topps set is famous for its distinctive wood-grain border design and massive print runs that saturated the market