"1990 Topps #688 Milt Thompson Cardinals High Number MINT NM-MT Baseball Card"

"Description

You're looking at a pristine piece of Cardinals history - a 1990 Topps Milt Thompson #688 in spectacular Near Mint to Excellent condition! This high-numbered gem is increasingly difficult to find in this condition.

This stunning example stands out dramatically from the typically well-worn specimens from this era. The notoriously condition-sensitive red borders remain vibrant and chip-free - a true rarity for cards from this distinctive Topps design!

What makes this card particularly special is its high-number status (#688) in the set, making it from the more elusive final series that was often printed in smaller quantities and handled more frequently. High-number cards in pristine condition are becoming increasingly sought after by serious set builders!

The action shot perfectly captures Thompson in his classic St. Louis Cardinals uniform with batting cage in background, representing a fascinating chapter in the team's hitting legacy. This card documents a talented outfielder whose career spanned 13 seasons across multiple teams!

Perfect for Cardinals team collectors, high-number specialists, or anyone seeking to complete a pristine 1990 Topps set. The distinctive red borders of the Cardinals cards from this set create a striking visual appeal that stands out in any collection!

Condition

This card is in remarkable Near Mint to Excellent condition - truly outstanding preservation for a high-number card from the junk wax era! The notorious red borders, which typically show significant edge chipping, remain impressively intact.

The corners are razor sharp with absolutely no rounding or wear - a condition virtually never seen in cards from this set after 30+ years. Most examples found today show significant corner damage.

The surfaces remain pristine with no creases, folds, bends, or handling marks. The glossy finish on the front maintains its original luster with no scratches or scuffing.

Centering is exceptional and well within the coveted 55/45 or better ratio that serious collectors demand. Finding well-centered examples of high-number cards continues to become more challenging with each passing year.

Color retention is superb with vibrant reds and greens that remain as bright as the day this card was printed. Most surviving examples show significant fading or color degradation after decades of storage.

The card back is equally pristine with sharp printing, no staining, and excellent overall eye appeal. The yellow background remains bright with no fading or yellowing often seen on cards from this era.

Card Details

• Player: Milt Thompson - Versatile Outfielder

• Team: St. Louis Cardinals

• Card Number: #688 (High Number in the set)

• Year: 1990 Topps

• Career Span: 13-year MLB career (1984-1996)

• Teams Represented in Stats: Braves, Phillies, and Cardinals

• Jersey Number: #15 visible on his Cardinals uniform

• Personal Note: Card mentions he 'derives enjoyment from listening to music'

• Hometown: Washington, D.C.

• Design Elements: Distinctive red borders with green inner frame - specific to Cardinals team design

Rarity

While 1990 Topps cards were produced in significant quantities, finding high-number examples in this exceptional condition is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing year.

High-grade examples of cards #601-792 are becoming more challenging to locate as set collectors become more condition-conscious and the best examples are permanently sealed in graded slabs for long-term collections.

The distinctive red borders of the Cardinals design are notoriously susceptible to chipping and wear, making well-preserved examples increasingly uncommon as time passes. The vast majority of survivors show significant border damage.

Cards from the end of the set typically received more handling as collectors searched through packs looking for stars and rookies. High numbers in pristine condition are increasingly sought after by advanced set builders.

As modern set collecting continues to emphasize condition, the demand for pristine examples of high-number commons has shown surprising growth. These once-overlooked cards are becoming key condition-rarity challenges!

Collector's Note

The market for high-grade junk wax era cards has experienced remarkable growth in recent years as collectors recognize the surprising scarcity of pristine examples from high-number series. What was once overlooked is now increasingly appreciated.

Savvy collectors understand that while millions of these cards were printed, the vast majority were poorly handled, stored in detrimental conditions, or simply discarded. True gem specimens of high numbers represent a tiny fraction of the original print run.

This is potentially your BEST CHANCE to acquire a high-grade example of this high-number card before prices for pristine junk wax era high numbers continue their upward trajectory! The market is increasingly recognizing the scarcity of genuinely Near Mint-Mint examples.

The investment potential for high-number commons in pristine condition is just beginning to be recognized as population reports reveal their true condition rarity. These cards are essential for collectors pursuing high-grade complete sets.

This card represents a perfect specimen for any high-grade 1990 Topps set build, St. Louis Cardinals team collection, or showcase of condition rarities from the junk wax era. The condition quality speaks for itself!

Buy multiple cards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't Wait - Act Now!

The window of opportunity to acquire premium condition examples of high-number cards from this nostalgic era continues to narrow as more collectors recognize the surprising difficulty in finding untouched, pristine examples.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of baseball card history featuring a perfect high-number example in exceptional condition before it disappears into another collection for decades!"

 _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.