1968 Topps Johnny Bench Rookie Card
 

Hi All,

I am new to this forum, and although it has been years, I’m not new to the world of sports cards. Mind you, I’ve been away from them for about 25 years.

I own many cards, from Larry Bird’s rookie, to Michael Jordan’s, but there is no player I am a bigger fan of than Johnny Bench, and no card I own that means more to me than his rookie card. I bought it as a kid, making payments on it, until I was able to take it home. My guess is it is a 8 or 9 condition wise, with a slight centering issue as the border is thicker on the Ron Tompkins side, and the lower left corner might have the slightest hint of being fuzzy. That said, I might send it into PSA to have them officially grade it.

That all said, my dream, which might not be realistic is to one day own a Bench rookie, with correct spelling on the back (as mine has) with a PSA grade of 10. Since there are not many of them, and they are priced at a premium, time will tell if I am able to purchase one. If anyone has any tips on when one might come up for sale feel free to let me know.

If not, I am proud to say that I am indeed the proud owner of a Bench rookie card, and in the end, to me, that is what means the most.

Best always,
John

The 1970 Bench was always my favorite card of his. It was much tougher to find than his rookie and from his first MVP season.

68 Bench
 

I assume the OP is referring to the fact the Bench card can be found with a recurring print defect on the back where part of the h in the word "the" in the first line of his bio is missing. Here are my two versions of the card

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1460490373

This is my weirdest Bench....and the weirdest Maury Wills too. Maury looked like Bump :-)

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...9/img023-3.jpg

I love that card too. I have one of them, but it is not in as good a shape as my 1968 Bench. Two reasons I really dig the 70 card are he has on a red Reds cap, and secondly his catcher's mitt is in the picture too. It is for sure a classic.

Hi ALR-bishop,

That is indeed the error I am referring too. I love that Bench you posted there. It makes me want to dig out my collection, and look through everything Johnny that I have. It is pretty comprehensive, up until I stopped collecting in roughly 1990.

Best,
John

I've never heard of the Bench error. Not that I know of all errors .
So I searched eBay and it seemed that most did not have the error .
And I don't think it would matter in grading .

wrong section sorry

Not a 68', but my favorite Bench. Good luck chasing down that 10!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/489/1...515fef59_c.jpg

from your description
 

I highly doubt you get an 8 or 9. Probably a 6. Only saying that so you don't get to disappointed if you decide to send it in. I collected in 1990 and grading is WAY stricter now than it ever has been.

Good luck with your quest of landing a PSA 10 Bench rookie (POP 11). My favorite player by far. His 69 card is my favorite.

http://i.imgur.com/mZjiLPh.jpg?2

Hi all,

Thanks sincerely for your feedback and comments!

Here is a cell phone picture of the back and front of my card. In the picture it appears that the front of the card is scratched, but that is really just the glass case being scratched etc. These pictures might give you a rough idea of the centering and the corners.

Best always,
John

Steven Great Auto 69 Bench, looks amazing !!

Nice looking card for sure. I don't see a PSA 9. The centering might just miss a PSA 8 but I am not real good with estimation on centering. Nice looking corners I would say a PSA 7 with an outside shot of an 8.

I'd say 7 or 8 for sure. I wouldn't even comment if it were mint because I often can't really tell the difference between a 9 and a 10 . Sometimes it looks like a coin flip to call it on the graders side .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bench
 

John,

Auctionzip.com and Invaluable.com have auction alert sections...where you enter data on what you are searching for and it will notify you when an auction they cover pops up with the key words in question.

Best of luck reaching your dreams.

Z

I like the 70 topps Super

I did not know about that '68 error. I guess I have to get out my card and take a look. I got it out of a shoebox collection I bought a few years ago. Has some technical flaws but I am content with it since it only cost me a buck raw:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ps%20Bench.jpg

My favorites are the 1969 regular and AS issue. Again, the regular card was from that collection I bought. The AS card I've had for decades. Both were slabbed recently:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ps%20Bench.jpg

looks like 86 to 88 but maybe higher...still a beauty.....here is mine....
 

Got this one back in the day TTM…

Attachment 227969

Here is my 8.5 for comparison.

http://i.imgur.com/1bfyuJT.jpg?1

Hi Zach Wheat,

Thanks for that website info. I'm going to look into possibly signing up at collectible.com
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Hi Exhibitman,

That card looks very nice, and at a price that cannot be beat!
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Hi Holybull and jb67,

Those are both such amazing examples of the Bench card. To my eyes those would both seem to rate as a 10. If you don't mind, can you offer your insight on what perceived flaws the cards might have, that do not show to me.
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Best to all,
John

Hi John,

Just a note, collectible.com is for Hollywood memorabilia, we are spelled with an "A". www.collectable.com

- Dan

Hi John,
My 8.5 Bench rookie looks to have a lightly touched corner which would make it a 9 right away and on the back there is an ever so slight dark spot which probably kept this card from being a PSA 9. Here is the back. The centering on the back is better than most PSA 9's I have seen. I

http://i.imgur.com/1bGeaGM.jpg?1

Hi jb67,

I much appreciate the insight. Your card really does look amazing, and the centering is great. It really makes me agree with a sentiment that I’ve read on the boards here, to judge the card and not the grade listed. From what I’ve seen on eBay, there are PSA Bench rookies rated a 9, but yours truly has more eye appeal.

I’m still contemplating sending in my Bench rookie to PSA. As such I am still trying to learn all the steps in the process the do so. Whatever the grading might be, the biggest joy I’ve experienced with the card was the saving up, to pay for it in installments, and the pure joy of childhood in taking it home.

That all said, I know it is an expensive long shot, but I would like to think that one day it might be possible for me to buy a PSA 10 version of the card.

Best,
John

John,

I would send it in for grading. It is not out of the question that you could get PSA 8 or even 8.5. No matter the grade it has a lot a value to you way beyond what any grade can give it. I like the protection of having my cards graded. If you do send it in let us know the grade you received.

BTW I put in a strong bid for PSA 10 Bench 2nd year card (1969) recently and came up short. Wishing I would have gone bigger but you live and learn.

Hi dstudeba,

I downloaded your app Collectable app and have loving it. It is an easy way to track on the Bench rookies on the marketplace. Alsom it is cool, that like me, you're from the Boston area.


Hi jb67,

Should I get my Bench rookie graded I will absolutely report back here.


Hi all,

Quick question. Am I correct in saying that it seems that the picture of the attached Cincinnati Reds cap, worn from 1961 to 1966, would be the style depicted in Bench’s rookie card photo where he is wearing his hat backwards? Any and all insight would be much appreciated.


Best always,
John

Here are a few of my non-Topps Bench rookies....

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psyzxmewvz.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psi6ry1bz1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psoeqkxknb.jpg

Hi Big Red Machine,

Firstly, awesome user name. Secondly, awesome Bench cards! I’ve never seen either of those cards in person before, so that are definitely some great quality items!

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BTW, silly me. I think I had a brain lapse when I asked what model Reds cap that Johnny was wearing in his 1968 Topps card. The attached 1969 Topps card answers that.

Best,
John

wow....you wish to sell one of the Kahns??? Thanks, Michael.

That centering on the back for the Bench RC is extraordinary!

Thanks but both of these are part of my permanent collection.
Phil

Here is the earliest Bench card (1967)

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps4bcwuhoc.jpg

Hi Big Red Machine,

That postcard is truly outstanding! It would have been nice if Topps could have used a picture like that on his rookie card.

BTW, I forgot to say that I always found it interesting that his Kahn's card says "John Bench" on it.

Thanks for sharing!

Best always,
John

Hi All,

I'm unsure if I'm allowed to post the link here, but there is a 1968 Bench rookie, graded PSA 10, currently on eBay. It seems like a great card, but unfortunately it's outside of what I have budgeted. If I could get it, I would in a heart beat. Possibly one day I'll be able to track one down.

Best always,
John

Links are generally ok to post.....BTW, when the grades get above 8, it seems very subjective.

Hi Leon,

Thanks for the insight, and also thanks for this message board!

Here is the link to the PSA 10... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Topps-2...MAAOSwMHdXRIYt

I'm glad that if I never get to own a PSA 10 Bench rookie, that I have one I like. I still need to get it graded one of these days.

Best always,
John

Hi All,

I decided to post some new pictures of my Johnny Bench rookie card (outside of the case) as well as my 1970 Bench. In the near future I hope to take some pictures of other Bench items I own.

Best,
John

Hi All,

I have a card grading question. In a couple weeks there will be a card show near me where PSA will be there grading cards. As such I am planning on likely bringing my Johnny Bench rookie card with me to be graded. Might anyone hear have insight on the turnaround time for that, as well as the potential costs involved? Any and all insight is much appreciated.

Best,
John

There is a ton of info, and likely everything you need to know, right in the PSA site. http://www.psacard.com/

If PSA is grading on site, then it should be a few hours at most, depending how many in front of you there are?

Prices also vary, depending on the value of the card. I believe, (likely in the link?) anything that has a value of $10,000 or over will cost you $700.00 dollars per card. It goes down from there to I believe $200 or $250 if the card is valued below that to $5000.00.

Good luck.

Hi Irv,

I appreciate the info, it is much appreciated. Also, thank you for the well wishes!

Best,
John

Hi all,

I thought I'd let you know that my Bench rookie, which is pictured on post 37, came back from PSA. It was graded at a 7. Overall, a decent grade. To me the best part of the card is remembering getting it many years ago.

Best,
John

Congrats, John

Hope I'm not too late to join the party.

Here is my Bench Rookie. It's only a PSA 5; however, looks fine to me. :)

Great card of a great player. One could argue he was among the best catchers that ever played in the Major Leagues.

Congrats on the grade, John, and very nice card, Eric.

I think you could make an excellent argument that Bench was THE greatest catcher ever, although you'd have to put Josh Gibson right there, too.

It looks mighty fine to me Eric

Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, even as a Cardinal fan, every youth and High School baseball player in the Midwest wanted to be someone on the Big Red Machine.

I cheered for the Cardinals, but after Lou Brock, Johnny Bench was my favorite player by far.

Thanks all for the kind words. I used to collect cards years ago, but stopped around 1990. I have some nice cards I might get graded someday, but it is fitting for me that my Bench rookie was my first. So much so that when I got it back, it was the first PSA graded card I even held.

One day I might get another, and of course everyone would dream of a 10 (for me with the correct spelling on back). But if not, I am proud to call the card mine!

And wow, Eric that Bench rookie you have really looks nice! Congrats!

Congrats, John, and thanks for sharing your story. :)

I assume you had to give your card to PSA at the show, or did you mail it in?

I would love to be able to get some of my cards graded in front of me, or at least get them back the same day, but SGC nor PSA, that i'm aware of, does such a thing up here in Canada.

Very nice card, Eric! :)

Hi Irv,

I went to a show, gave it to PSA and they sent it along to their home office to grade. From there it was sent back to me. I do agree with you, ideally it would be done in person, but being a new I'm unsure if that is possible.

In time, I want to get a stand for the card, and display it with a few of my Johnny items, including a picture with him, and a personalized signed baseball. Great to feel like a kid again!

Best always,
John

Thanks for the info.

FYI, just be careful where you put your card and pic as, over time, both will fade from sunlight and unnatural light.

This pic of my Great Uncle Sam with Mickey Mantle was hung up in his den and over the years, as you can maybe tell yourself, it faded quite a bit.