"1978 Topps #455 Lemar Parrish Bengals 8 TIME Pro Bowl CB Punt Returner G-VG"

"Description

You're viewing an increasingly scarce 1978 Topps card featuring Lemar Parrish, one of the most versatile and accomplished defensive backs of his era! This vintage treasure captures an 8-time Pro Bowl cornerback during his prime Cincinnati Bengals years.

The distinctive pink/red borders that frame the Bengals 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 beyond recognition or discarded over the past 45+ years!

This card showcases a true dual-threat NFL star who excelled both as an elite cornerback (23 career interceptions noted on the card) AND as a dynamic punt returner whose statistics are prominently featured on the back. These multi-dimensional players are becoming increasingly valued by sophisticated collectors.

What makes this card particularly fascinating is that it documents Parrish at the height of his powers with the Bengals before his later career with the Redskins and Bills, creating unique cross-team appeal for collectors of all three franchises. This expanded collector base has steadily reduced available supply.

The card specifically references Parrish's selection to ""several All-Pro teams"" - a remarkable achievement that confirms his status among the NFL's elite defensive players of the 1970s. This documented excellence significantly enhances collector appeal.

Cards featuring elite cornerbacks from the 1970s are experiencing a dramatic surge in collector interest as football historians increasingly recognize their critical role in championship-caliber defenses. This market evolution has created genuine urgency for serious position collectors.

Condition

This card presents in honest Good to Very Good condition - a genuine survivor that has escaped the typical fate of pink-bordered cards that often suffer extreme damage. Finding pink-bordered cards from this period that haven't been completely destroyed is becoming increasingly challenging!

The corners show some wear and rounding, particularly on the right corners, which is consistent with cards of this vintage that were actually collected and enjoyed rather than immediately stored away. This natural aging adds character to this piece of football history.

The pink/red border shows some fading and edge wear - an extremely common condition issue with the notoriously fragile colored borders of the 1978 Topps cards. Pink 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 good color with Parrish clearly visible in his distinctive Bengals dark jersey. Despite some minor surface wear and scuffs, the image remains clear and identifiable - a testament to the superior printing technology Topps employed during this era.

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

Card Details

• Card Number: #455 in the 1978 Topps Football set

• Player: Lemar Parrish - Accomplished 8-time Pro Bowl cornerback

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals - Featured during his prime years

• Position: Cornerback (CB) - One of the most valuable defensive positions

• Special Designation: Multiple All-Pro team selections noted on card

• Dual Threat: Card specifically highlights his 23 career interceptions AND punt return abilities

• Return Stats: Documents 130 punt returns for 1,201 yards and 4 touchdowns through 1977

• College: Lincoln College - Adding appeal to small school collectors

• Draft Status: Selected by the Bengals in the 7th round of the 1970 draft

• Design Elements: Distinctive pink/red borders that define the Bengals 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 pink-bordered cards increasingly scarce. The vast majority have been lost to time, damage, or poor storage conditions.

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

Pro Bowl players have shown particularly strong demand as sophisticated collectors increasingly focus on acquiring cards that document consistently elite performers rather than one-season wonders. Parrish's remarkable 8 Pro Bowl selections represent sustained excellence that drives collector interest.

Dual-threat defensive players who also contributed on special teams have experienced a significant collector renaissance as football historians recognize their unique versatility and value. This expanded appreciation has steadily removed the best examples from circulation.

The combination of condition-sensitive pink borders, Pro Bowl status, dual-position skills, and three-team career 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 elite defensive backs has seen explosive growth in recent years as sophisticated collectors have begun to fully appreciate the critical importance of shutdown corners to championship success. This fundamental shift in collector understanding has driven prices steadily upward.

Pink-bordered vintage cards have experienced particularly strong price appreciation as condition-conscious collectors recognize their extreme susceptibility to damage. This growing awareness has created tremendous demand for surviving examples that haven't been destroyed.

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

Multi-dimensional players who excelled at both defense and special teams have shown particularly strong appreciation as position-focused collectors recognize their historical importance. This card represents a must-have addition for any serious defensive back or special teams collection!

This card represents a perfect addition for any Cincinnati Bengals team collection, Pro Bowl player compilation, cornerback position showcase, or 1978 Topps set build. Its authentic vintage character makes it a guaranteed conversation starter in any football 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 featuring 8-time Pro Bowl players 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 accomplished cornerbacks and return specialists of the 1970s! When it's gone, finding another pink-bordered example of this vintage Topps card could take months 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.