"1972 Topps #219 Paul Robinson Bengals AFL Rookie of Year 1,000 Yd Rusher"

"Description

You're viewing an increasingly scarce 1972 Topps card featuring Cincinnati Bengals star running back and AFL Rookie of the Year Paul Robinson! This vintage treasure captures a fundamental piece of early Bengals franchise history.

The distinctive orange/red borders that frame the 1972 Topps football cards are notoriously condition-sensitive, making well-preserved examples increasingly difficult to locate in today's market. Most have been damaged or discarded over the past 50+ years!

This card showcases Paul Robinson, one of the most significant players from the Bengals' earliest years as a franchise. As the card back notes, he was ""the top ground gainer in the AFL in 1968"" when he rushed for an impressive 1,023 yards as a rookie.

What makes this card particularly significant is that it documents one of the few players to earn both All-Pro and All-AFL honors in the same season (1968). This historical achievement occurred during the pivotal AFL-NFL merger era, adding tremendous historical significance to this card.

Robinson was no ordinary running back - he was the offensive centerpiece of the expansion Bengals in their very first season! This remarkable distinction makes his cards especially important to serious Bengals team collectors seeking to document the franchise's earliest stars.

The card specifically highlights his Rookie of the Year achievement and impressive statistical accomplishments, documenting his 2,317 career rushing yards and 19 touchdowns through just his first three professional seasons. These numbers showcase why he was such a vital piece of Bengals history.

Vintage cards from the AFL-NFL merger era have shown remarkable price appreciation in recent years as collectors increasingly recognize their historical significance in documenting this pivotal transition in professional football history.

Condition

This card presents in honest Good to Very Good condition - a genuine survivor from an era when cards were actively collected and traded by young football fans. Many examples have been lost to time entirely!

The corners show wear and slight rounding consistent with its age, giving it the authentic character that only comes from a genuine vintage card. No modern reprint could replicate this authentic patina of history!

Some edge wear is present on the orange/red border - an extremely common condition issue with the notoriously fragile colored borders of the 1972 Topps cards. Finding examples without this characteristic wear has become increasingly difficult with each passing year.

The centering appears slightly off-center left to right, which is typical for cards from this production era when centering standards were far less stringent than modern cards. This authentic production variation confirms its genuine vintage status.

The front surface retains good color saturation with Robinson's portrait clearly visible against the vibrant white Bengals jersey. The card displays beautifully despite its honest wear, a testament to the quality of Topps' production during this era.

The card back shows normal age-appropriate toning but remains completely legible with all text, statistics and the cartoon illustration easily visible - an important consideration for vintage cards where back damage often renders text unreadable.

Card Details

• Card Number: #219 in the 1972 Topps Football set

• Player: Paul Robinson - AFL Rookie of the Year and the first offensive star in Bengals franchise history

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals - Robinson was part of the inaugural 1968 Bengals team in their very first season

• Major Achievement: Card specifically notes he was ""the top ground gainer in the AFL in 1968"" and ""All-Pro and All-AFL in 1968""

• Statistical Highlight: Documents his impressive 1,023-yard rushing season as a rookie

• Historical Context: Released during the pivotal AFL-NFL merger era, documenting a player who excelled in the original AFL

• College: University of Arizona - Adding to his collector appeal for college football enthusiasts

• Design Elements: Distinctive orange/red borders that make these Bengals cards particularly attractive in the 1972 Topps set

• Manufacturer: Topps - The premier trading card company of the era

• Franchise Significance: Robinson was critical to establishing the Bengals' offensive identity in their early years

Rarity

While Topps produced significant quantities of their 1972 football cards, the relentless march of time has rendered well-preserved examples increasingly scarce. The vast majority have been lost to time, damage, or poor storage conditions.

Orange/red-bordered cards from this era are notoriously condition-sensitive, with the colored edges quickly showing wear, chipping, and fading. Finding specimens without significant border damage becomes more difficult with each passing season.

Cards from the AFL-NFL merger era continue to diminish in available supply as vintage football cards gain more mainstream collecting attention. The competition for remaining examples grows more intense annually.

Cincinnati Bengals cards from the team's earliest years have shown particularly strong collector demand as the franchise has gained more historical appreciation. The robust Midwest collecting community has driven increased interest in vintage Bengals stars.

Most surviving examples display significant condition issues, making even Good to Very Good condition specimens a much better-than-average survivor that would make an excellent addition to any vintage football collection or Bengals team set.

Collector's Note

The market for vintage AFL Rookie of the Year cards has seen remarkable growth in recent years as collectors have begun to fully appreciate both their historical significance and surprising scarcity in presentable condition.

Early franchise stars like Paul Robinson represent significant moments in team history that can never be replicated. These historical connections make such cards increasingly desirable to team collectors seeking to document every chapter of their franchise's story.

This is potentially your ONLY CHANCE to acquire this increasingly elusive vintage Bengals card before prices for authentic 1972 Topps football cards continue their upward trajectory! The vintage football market is experiencing unprecedented growth.

The distinctive orange/red borders of the 1972 Topps set make these among the most condition-sensitive issues of the decade. Finding examples without significant border damage becomes more challenging with each passing year.

Bengals collectors have become increasingly aggressive in acquiring vintage cards from the team's inaugural seasons, driving prices upward for key players like Robinson who defined those early years. This card represents a must-have centerpiece for any serious Bengals collection!

This card represents a perfect addition for any vintage football collection, Bengals team compilation, AFL history collection, or 1972 Topps set build. Its connection to one of Cincinnati's first football stars makes it a guaranteed conversation piece among fellow collectors!

Buy multiple cards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't Wait - Act Now!

The window of opportunity to acquire authentic vintage cards of AFL award winners at reasonable prices continues to narrow as more collectors recognize both their condition sensitivity and historical importance to the hobby.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of Cincinnati Bengals and AFL history featuring the franchise's first offensive star! When it's gone, finding another example of this vintage Topps card in comparable condition could take months or years of searching!"

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

Condition: Ungraded

Item specifics

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.