
Tim Brown
1998 • Collector's Edge
#20
The 1981 Topps Arthur Whittington #161 represents a specific moment in Oakland Raiders history, featuring the linebacker in the iconic design of the 1981 Topps football set.
1981 • Topps
National Football League • Oakland Raiders
Excellent
161
New
Shipping Calculated at Checkout
Arthur Whittington's presence on the 1981 Topps football card #161 offers collectors a direct link to the Oakland Raiders during a pivotal era of NFL history. As a linebacker, Whittington was a vital component of the Raiders' defense in the early 1980s, making his inclusion in this annual release significant for fans of the team and the league. Collecting this card allows enthusiasts to explore the landscape of 1980s football memorabilia. The card number 161 places it within the standard base set, providing a straightforward yet essential addition to any organized collection. For Raiders fans, cards like this serve as tangible reminders of the team's roster during a competitive period in the NFL. Whether you are building a comprehensive set of 1980s football cards or focusing on specific teams like the Raiders, this card represents a piece of sports history. The enduring appeal of 1981 Topps products lies in their accessibility and the clear documentation they provide of the players and teams of that time. For investors and hobbyists alike, understanding the context of the 1981 release is key. The set captures the essence of professional football in the early 1980s, with Whittington's card serving as a snapshot of his career with the Raiders. As the market for vintage sports cards continues to evolve, items from this era remain popular among those who appreciate the heritage of the game. Exploring the variety of cards available from the 1981 Topps series can reveal interesting insights into the players and teams that shaped the sport.
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Arthur Whittington's 1981 Topps card sits at the lower end of the vintage NFL card market, reflecting his status as a role player rather than a marquee name from the Raiders' dynasty era. Cards from this set in comparable condition tend to trade at similar modest levels, though the Raiders' storied early-80s legacy does provide some collector interest. The card's value is largely driven by team collectors and vintage Topps set builders rather than player-specific demand.
As a standard base card from the 1981 Topps football set, this card carries no serial numbering or parallel distinction, placing it in the high-print-run tier typical of mass-produced early-80s issues. Graded population reports for this card are extremely thin, suggesting most copies remain in raw, ungraded condition — which is consistent with the economics of submitting lower-tier vintage cards. The single active listing currently available points to limited secondary market activity rather than true scarcity.
Whittington's brief NFL career and limited statistical footprint mean there is minimal player-driven collector momentum to sustain or grow demand over time. However, vintage Raiders team collectors and 1981 Topps set completionists represent a stable, if narrow, buyer base that keeps the card from losing relevance entirely. Grading submission is unlikely to be economically justified at current market positioning unless a high-grade raw copy surfaces, which could attract condition-sensitive vintage collectors.

1998 • Collector's Edge
#20

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