"1978 Topps #100 Fran Tarkenton HOF Vikings QB Legend Georgia VG-EX"

"Description

You're viewing an increasingly scarce 1978 Topps card featuring Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton in exceptional preserved condition! This vintage treasure captures one of the NFL's greatest passers of all time during his final season before retirement.

The distinctive blue borders that frame the Vikings cards in the 1978 Topps set are notoriously condition-sensitive, making well-preserved examples like this one increasingly difficult to locate in today's market. Most have been damaged or discarded over the past 45+ years!

This is a prestigious card #100 - the coveted ""century number"" position reserved only for the biggest superstars of the era. This premium placement reflects Tarkenton's elite status among the NFL's greatest legends.

What makes this card particularly fascinating is that it documents Tarkenton just before he retired with virtually every major NFL passing record in his possession. These records stood for decades, cementing his place in football history.

The card shows the legendary quarterback in his classic passing form that terrorized NFL defenses for 18 seasons. This dynamic action shot perfectly captures the playing style that made him one of the first truly successful scramblers at the position.

The card specifically notes Tarkenton's transition into broadcasting, documenting the beginning of his successful post-playing media career. This historical context adds significant depth to an already compelling collectible.

University of Georgia collectors will appreciate this standout Bulldogs alumnus who brought tremendous recognition to the program through his Hall of Fame NFL career. This prestigious collegiate connection adds another dimension of collector appeal.

Condition

This card presents in impressive Very Good to Excellent condition - a genuine survivor from an era when cards were actively collected and traded by young football fans. Finding blue-bordered cards from this period in comparable condition has become increasingly challenging!

The corners show only minor wear and slight rounding, significantly better than typically encountered for cards of this vintage. This superior preservation makes it a standout example for the serious condition-conscious collector.

Some minor edge wear is present on the blue border - an extremely common condition issue with the notoriously fragile colored borders of the 1978 Topps cards. Blue borders show damage much more readily than white borders from other sets.

The centering appears quite good for the era, avoiding the severe off-center cutting that plagues many cards from this production period. This proper alignment adds significantly to the card's visual appeal and collector value.

The front surface retains excellent color saturation with Tarkenton clearly visible in his distinctive Vikings uniform #10 making a passing motion. The action image remains vivid and clear despite being over four decades old.

The card back shows excellent preservation with all text, statistics and illustrations remaining crisp and easily legible - an important consideration for vintage cards where back damage often renders text unreadable.

Card Details

• Card Number: #100 in the 1978 Topps Football set - the prestigious ""century number"" position

• Player: Fran Tarkenton - Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL legend

• Team: Minnesota Vikings - Featured during his second stint with the team following his return from the Giants

• Position: Quarterback - In his classic passing pose that made him famous

• Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1986 following his legendary career

• College: University of Georgia - Adding crossover appeal to Bulldogs collectors

• NFL Records: At retirement, held virtually every major NFL passing record

• Career Highlight: Led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances

• Statistical Legacy: The back documents his impressive 17-year statistical record

• Media Career: Card notes his transition to becoming a television sports commentator

• Design Elements: Distinctive blue borders with team name on the side that define the classic 1978 Topps football design

• Manufacturer: Topps Chewing Gum Inc. - The premier trading card company of the era

Rarity

While Topps produced significant quantities of their 1978 football cards, the relentless march of time has rendered well-preserved examples of Hall of Fame players increasingly scarce. The vast majority have been lost to time, damage, or poor storage conditions.

Blue-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 year.

Hall of Fame quarterback cards have always commanded premium collector interest, resulting in higher rates of handling, display and subsequent damage. This historical collector preference has created genuine scarcity in today's market for well-preserved examples.

Century number cards (#100) represent premium placements in vintage sets that were specifically assigned to the biggest stars. This special status has made them targets for collectors since the day they were released.

The combination of Tarkenton's Hall of Fame status, his record-setting career, the blue borders, and the century number placement creates a ""perfect storm"" of collector appeal that transcends multiple collecting categories. This crossover appeal significantly reduces the number of quality examples available.

Collector's Note

The market for vintage Hall of Fame quarterback cards has seen explosive growth in recent years as modern collectors have begun to fully appreciate the true pioneers of the position. This fundamental shift in collecting focus has driven prices steadily upward.

Century number cards from vintage sets represent fundamental cornerstones of any serious collection. This historical significance makes cards like Tarkenton's #100 increasingly desirable to knowledgeable vintage football collectors.

This is potentially your ONLY CHANCE to acquire this increasingly elusive vintage Hall of Famer card before prices for authentic 1978 Topps football cards of quarterback legends continue their upward trajectory! The vintage quarterback market is experiencing unprecedented growth.

The distinctive blue borders of the Vikings cards in the 1978 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.

Minnesota Vikings collectors have become increasingly dedicated to documenting their team's golden era when they reached multiple Super Bowls. This card represents a must-have addition for any serious Vikings collection showcasing the team's greatest quarterback!

This card represents a perfect addition for any Hall of Fame showcase, Vikings team compilation, quarterback position gallery, University of Georgia alumni collection, or NFL records theme collection. Its exceptional condition makes it a guaranteed centerpiece in any display!

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 quarterback legends at reasonable prices continues to narrow as more sophisticated collectors recognize both their condition sensitivity and historical importance to the game's development.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of NFL history featuring a Hall of Fame quarterback who redefined the position and held virtually every major passing record! 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.