Few players in the history of baseball are as revered as the great Hank Aaron. In his 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), “Hammerin’ Hank” had broken Babe Ruth’s career home run record, won three Gold Gloves, and was the National League MVP when he won the World Series with the Milwaukee Braves.
That’s why the Hank Aaron 1972 Topps 299 autographed card is such a treasured piece of any baseball card or sports memorabilia collection. Let’s look at what makes this card special, the historic significance of Hank Aaron, and why the Hank Aaron 1972 Topps 299 autographed card at Antique Armory is a prized addition to any baseball card collection.
“Hammerin’” Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron joined the MLB in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves, where he took over as the starting left fielder after Bobby Thomson broke his ankle in spring training. That debut season, Hank Aaron hit 13 home runs, 69 RBIs, and hit .280. That first season would be the start of an all-time great career.
Over the course of 23 seasons in the MLB, Aaron played for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves (when the team moved from Milwaukee), and then the Milwaukee Brewers for his final two seasons in the league.
By the time he retired after the 1976 season, Aaron held numerous power-hitting records. He broke Babe Ruth’s 33 year record for most career home runs with 755. This record would not be broken again until Barry Bonds hit his 756th home run in 2007.
Aaron is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least 15 times (the other is Alex Rodriguez). But it wasn’t just his home run proficiency that earned him the nickname, “Hammerin’ Hank.”
Hank Aaron still holds the MLB records for most career RBIs (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856). His success as a batter earned him 25 All-Star selections, which is still the most by any player.
However, Hank Aaron was a well rounded player, earning three Gold Gloves in his career, one of the most prestigious awards in the MLB, given for superior fielding performances.
Finally, Hank Aaron won the World Series as a member of the Milwaukee Braves in 1957, and earned the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in the process.
There is not doubt that Hank Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game, which is why items like the 1972 Topps Hank Aaron signed card are still valuable treasures. Learn more about Hank Aaron here
Topps #299 1972 Hank Aaron Card Signed JSA
This card is significant not only for its rarity and value, but for the year when it was released. During the 1972 season, Hank Aaron hit his 649th career home run, surpassing Willie Mays and putting him in a position to challenge Babe Ruth’s record, which he’d pass two years later in 1974.
Not only that, but this card is considered highly collectible because of its psychedelic-themed design. This 1972 #299 Hank Aaron card features a classic headshot (whereas #300 is an action shot). One of the key features of it is that it’s known to show ink flaking and irregular centering, meaning well-preserved baseball collecting copies like the one available at Antique Armory are very rare.
Is a 1972 Topps Hank Aaron Autograph Rare?
If you’re wondering if this vintage baseball card with the Hank Aaron autograph is rare, the answer is yes. While lower quality copies are moderately common, there are only around 106 copies of the card graded as Mint.
However, it’s not just the card that’s rare when graded high. It’s also the autograph found on the card. While Hank Aaron’s autograph alone isn’t extremely rare, a Hank Aaron 1972 Topps 299 autographed copy is a highly-sought after item. They rarely even appear for sale, and when they do they can be very expensive. That means the Antique Armory copy might be the only chance you have to get a signed copy of this specific card.
How Much is a Signed Hank Aaron 1972 Topps Card Worth?
When looking at a 1972 Topps #299 Hank Aaron autographed baseball card value, you need to inspect its rarity and condition. As we’ve already discussed, a signed version of this card is very rare, as is the card itself in good condition.
Without the autograph, SportsCardsPro estimates a Grade 9 copy to b e worth $3,105, a Grade 9.5 to be worth $3,416, and a PSA 10 to be worth $32,400 because there has been only one ever known to exist.
Add the clear autograph, and this card is very valuable. Rarely can you find a Topps 299 Hank Aaron autograph price below $1500 to $2000 dollars. But only if it’s authentic.
How to Tell if a Hank Aaron Autograph is Real?
Cards like this are worth a substantial amount of money, so of course you’d want to know that it’s authentic before purchasing. To make sure, you’ll want to look for a JSA or PSA authentication. These two authenticators are the most widely respected for baseball card collections.
We’d recommend being wary and suspicious of any Hank Aaron autographed card that does not have either authentication.
Our 1972 Hank Aarond Topps $299 baseball card with his autograph on it is certified by JSA. This means that they have fully examined the card and autograph and their authenticators believe that the signature is genuine.
That authentication provides peace of mind when you are buying something as valuable as this card, a piece of baseball history signed by one of the greatest to ever play.
Want to Add This Card to Your Collection?
Whether you want a higher value card to your budding collection or you’re a seasoned baseball card collector, this card is a great addition. It’s unlikely that you’ll come across many in your life, which is why this card might not last too long.
If you’re interested in this card, tap here to purchase the signed Hank Aaron 1972 Topps 299 card today, or you can browse other sports memorabilia, high-value cards, famous autographs, and more at AntiqueArmory.com.