Today, the heads of collectors would explode if a trading card maker decided to release a product without any form of insert. However, earlier generations of hockey card enthusiasts had plenty of premium items inserted into packs at equal odds which are just as desired today as they were when they were being pulled from wax packs. In the post-War era, it took more than a … [Read more...]
Mr. Goalie’s Memorabilia: Collecting Glenn Hall
When hockey collectors discuss the game's greatest goalies, there are names that naturally pop up like Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Patrick Roy, and Martin Brodeur. Their place in hockey history is undeniable, but there is one amazing talent that seems to get lost in the shuffle despite being arguably the best in the game during the 1960s - Glenn Hall. Why hasn't the hobby … [Read more...]
Spelling it Out: 1933-34 V252 Canadian Chewing Gum
Hockey's original gum card era began in a memorable fashion during the Great Depression as Canadian kids were looking to escape from the grim reality of the world around them. With the sport gaining national momentum thanks to radio broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, the thought of getting a picture of your favorite stars and a stick of gum was a tempting way to spend your … [Read more...]
The Boom Goes Bust: 1993-94 NHL Rookie Card Guide
Heading into the 1993-94 NHL season, the hobby of collecting hockey cards had clearly morphed from a child's pastime to a speculative game. However, the good times experienced by dealers, hobbyists, and would-be tycoons were about to turn sour. The reason for this is ultimately multi-faceted, but the lack of a strong crop of rookie cards, rising prices, and a shift toward … [Read more...]
1982-83 O-Pee-Chee: Going Gaga for Gretzky
Following his historic 1981-82 campaign, most of the hockey world was wild for Edmonton Oilers superstar Wayne Gretzky. While there were still some doubters following a 92-goal, 212-point effort, the 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee hockey set was happy to include him on plenty of cards. Heading into this season, American collectors were denied a Topps set and London, Ontario-based … [Read more...]
Canuck on the Rise: A Guide to Collecting Elias Pettersson
Winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year will often help player's stock within the card collecting hobby - but what happens going forward? In the case of young Vancouver Canucks sensation Elias Pettersson, the sky is the limit and his rookie cards were certainly a must-have for many collectors from the start. How hot was that start? Well, he kicked things … [Read more...]
Best Buys in Vintage Hockey Card Packs
For hockey collectors of a certain vintage, there are few experiences like opening up a pack of cards from their youth. Granted, the older you get, the more expensive the experience might be, but there are certainly some bargains out there if grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. Realistically, there are some options that have become quite pricey. Nearly everything issued … [Read more...]
Mistaken Identity: 1937-38 V356 World Wide Gum Hockey Cards
The largest single-issue hockey card set issued before World War II, the relatively plain 1937-38 V356 World Wide Gum release has never had a sparkling reputation in the hobby. However, it is a collection which still deserves the respect of modern fans since it is a perfect snapshot of the NHL as it edged toward the Original Six era and holds a few secrets that took decades to … [Read more...]
1910-11 C56 Imperial Tobacco Set: The Dawn of Hockey Cards
The first true set of hockey cards, 1910-11 C56 is iconic within the hobby as it dates back to a time before the National Hockey League was formed and the game's early pioneers were playing for the highest bidder. Issued is packs of cigarettes produced in Canada by Imperial Tobacco, the 1910-11 C56 collection came out as hockey stars were emerging as sporting heroes in an … [Read more...]
Capital Punishment: Hockey Cards of the Original Washington Capitals
With the World Hockey Association spreading into markets throughout North America in the early 1970s, the National Hockey League needed to combat the rival league - even if it meant expanding at a dangerous rate and watering down the amount of talent playing at the highest pro level at the time. Enter the 1974-75 Washington Capitals - a club whose auspicious start ranks as the … [Read more...]