Dave Parker
Date of Birth: 6/9/1951
Rookie Card Year: 1974
Investment Rating: 7.0
Overview
Possessing one of the coolest nicknames in all of sports, Dave "The Cobra" Parker, was a fan favorite across the league and a beloved member of the famous "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates World Series team of 1979. Parker owns a healthy resume that includes being named NL MVP in 1978. He is also a two-time batting champion and seven-time All-Star. He finished his 18-year career with an exceptional stat line: .290 BA, 339 HR and 1,493 RBI. Yet, Dave Parker cards and memorabilia are largely overlooked.
Dave Parker's rookie card comes from the 1974 Topps Baseball set and is card number 252. He also has an O-Pee-Chee version with the same card number. In the years following his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Parker played for several other teams including Oakland, Cincinnati, Toronto, Milwaukee and the California. As a result, while Dave Parker cards and memorabilia are in moderate demand in multiple markets, he will best be remembered and cherished as a member of the Pirates.
Despite not having an extraordinary amount of autographed or memorabilia cards in the market, these types of cards are extremely affordable considering his career achievements.
Dave Parker Rookie Card Guide
1974 O-Pee-Chee Dave Parker RC #252
At first glance, the 1974 O-Pee-Chee Dave Parker rookie card looks identical to its more common Topps counterpart. However, flip it over and there's bilingual text and a different copyright line. Like most O-Pee-Chee cards, find truly mint versions can be difficult with centering and edge wear being the most common issues. Despite being in much small supply, it raw copies remain affordable today.
1974 Topps Dave Parker RC #252
One of the key rookie cards from the 1974 Topps Baseball set, the card features an upper body photograph of Parker in the batting cage looking away from the camera. The odd pose is an iconic image and easily remembered.
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Autograph Guide
Dave Parker Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find examples of what an authentic Dave Parker autograph looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Tristar and Mounted Memories. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Dave Parker Cut Signature Exemplar #1
Dave Parker Cut Signature Exemplar #2
Dave Parker Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Dave Parker signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics regardless of the item or time period in which the item was signed. look for his autograph to exhibit at least some of the following signature features:
Sharpie Signature or Confined Space
- Written on a slight upward plan of about 15 degrees or less.
- The letter "D" is legible as it flows into the letter 'a" which is also distinguishable.
- The remaining two letters of the first name "v-e" are combined and hard to decipher as individual letters.
- The letter "P" is obvious and includes an open loop.
- The letter "a" is typically open at the top.
- The letters "r-k" look almost identical.
- The letter "e" is usually closed, especially if signed with a Sharpie.
- The last letter 'r" is distinguishable.
Ball Point Signature
- Unlike his signature with a Sharpie or in a small, confined space, when given room like on a baseball, Parker's signature allows for individual letter legibility including, most notably, the letter "k."
- An ink pen signature shows more of a traditional, cursive style writing.
Dave Parker Signed Baseball Pricing:
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Dave Parker Signed Photograph Pricing:
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Other Resources
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