1971 Topps Steve Carlton #55

A young Carlton anchors a black-bordered Topps page, years before Philadelphia

The 1971 Topps set is known for its black borders, which chip easily and make high grades famously difficult; even mid-grade copies tell that story honestly. Steve Carlton, a Hall of Fame left-hander and four-time Cy Young Award winner, appears here still in St. Louis Cardinals colors, before the 1972 trade that brought him to the Phillies. This PSA 4 example shows the wear typical of the issue while keeping the card intact and presentable for a collector who values the early-career placement over pristine surfaces.