1978 Topps #28 Jack Tatum "The Assassin" Raiders 3TIME Pro Bowl Ohio State VG-EX

"Description

You're viewing an increasingly scarce 1978 Topps card featuring Jack ""The Assassin"" Tatum, one of the most feared defensive players in NFL history! This vintage treasure captures a legendary Raiders defender during the team's championship dynasty era.

This card showcases Tatum during his prime with the Raiders, after he had already earned three Pro Bowl selections and helped lead Oakland to their Super Bowl XI victory. Hard-hitting defensive players from championship teams have seen tremendous appreciation in recent years!

The distinctive orange/red borders that frame the Raiders cards in the 1978 Topps set 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 45+ years!

What makes this card particularly significant is that it documents Tatum just before the infamous Darryl Stingley hit that would forever change both men's lives and alter NFL safety rules for decades to come. This historical context adds tremendous depth to an already compelling collectible.

The card specifically notes Tatum's NFL record 104-yard fumble return against the Packers - a remarkable achievement that demonstrates his playmaking ability beyond just the crushing hits that earned him his intimidating nickname. These statistical milestones have become increasingly valued by serious collectors.

Ohio State Buckeyes collectors will appreciate this standout alumnus who carried the school's hard-hitting defensive tradition into the NFL with spectacular success. This collegiate connection adds another dimension of collector appeal beyond just Raiders fans.

Condition

This card presents in impressive Very Good to Excellent condition - a genuine survivor that has escaped the typical fate of orange-bordered cards that often suffer extreme damage. Finding Raiders cards from this period in comparable condition is becoming increasingly challenging!

The corners show only minor wear and slight rounding, significantly better than typically encountered for cards of this vintage that were actually collected and enjoyed rather than immediately stored away. This superior preservation makes it a standout example for the serious condition-conscious collector.

Some minor edge wear is visible on the orange/red border - an extremely common condition issue with the notoriously fragile colored borders of the 1978 Topps cards. Orange borders show damage much more readily than other colors from the set.

The centering appears slightly off-center to the right, which is consistent with production standards of the era and confirms this card's genuine vintage origin. Factory quality control was far less stringent in the 1970s than with modern card productions.

The front surface retains excellent color saturation with Tatum clearly visible in his distinctive Raiders black jersey #32. The image clarity and color vibrancy remain impressive 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: #28 in the 1978 Topps Football set

• Player: Jack ""The Assassin"" Tatum - One of the most intimidating defenders in NFL history

• Team: Oakland Raiders - Featured during their dominant championship dynasty era

• Position: Safety (S) - Known as one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs ever

• Pro Bowl Status: Three-time Pro Bowl selection as noted on the card back

• NFL Record: Holds record for 104-yard fumble return vs. Packers (1972)

• College: Ohio State University - Adding crossover appeal to Buckeyes collectors

• Draft Status: First-round selection by the Raiders in 1971

• Championship Connection: Key member of Raiders' Super Bowl XI championship team

• Design Elements: Distinctive orange/red borders that define the Raiders cards in the 1978 Topps set

• 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 controversial players 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 year.

Cards featuring hard-hitting defensive players have shown particularly strong demand as football historians increasingly recognize their importance to championship teams. This growing appreciation has created genuine scarcity in today's market for well-preserved examples.

Raiders dynasty cards from their 1970s championship era have experienced some of the strongest price appreciation in the vintage football market as collectors recognize the historical significance of one of football's most dominant and colorful teams. This focused collector interest has steadily removed the best examples from circulation.

The combination of Tatum's controversial legacy, the Raiders championship pedigree, condition-sensitive borders, and historical significance creates a ""perfect storm"" of collector appeal that transcends multiple collecting categories. This crossover appeal significantly reduces the available supply.

Collector's Note

The market for vintage cards featuring controversial defensive players has seen explosive growth in recent years as sophisticated collectors have begun to fully appreciate both their historical significance and relative scarcity in well-preserved condition. This fundamental market shift has created tremendous investment potential.

Raiders dynasty cards have experienced particularly strong price appreciation as one of football's most devoted fanbases reconnects with the team's most successful era. The Raiders' rich championship legacy and collector dedication have created steady demand growth across all eras.

This is potentially your ONLY CHANCE to acquire this increasingly elusive vintage card before prices for authentic 1978 Topps football cards with orange borders continue their upward trajectory! The vintage colored-border market is experiencing unprecedented growth.

Hard-hitting defensive stars have shown particularly strong appreciation as modern collectors increasingly recognize and celebrate the defensive enforcers who defined their era. Tatum's legacy as perhaps the most feared safety in NFL history makes this a must-have addition for any serious defensive player collection!

This card represents a perfect centerpiece for any Raiders dynasty collection, Ohio State alumni showcase, defensive stars compilation, or 1978 Topps set build. Its well-preserved condition makes it a guaranteed standout 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 controversial defensive stars at reasonable prices continues to narrow as more sophisticated collectors recognize both their historical significance and compelling investment potential.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of NFL defensive history featuring one of the most intimidating players to ever patrol the secondary! When it's gone, finding another orange-bordered example of this vintage Topps card in comparable condition could take months or years of searching!"

 _gsrx_vers_1723 (GS 9.9.3 (1723))

Condition: Ungraded

Item specifics

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