The photo that became Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card was not taken at a “rookie photo shoot” or at a legendary NHL venue. No, it was one of a bunch of photographs taken by photographer Steve Babineau late in the 1978-79 season, not long after the teenage star of the World Hockey Association was sold to the Edmonton Oilers.
Hockey Docs has just produced a five-minute story on Gretzky’s rookie card that includes a must-see story telling session from Babineau:
It’s always fun to look back on old sports card-related advertising and news coverage from decades ago. We turned up a few more gems over the weekend and we’ll be posting those n the weeks to come (and hopefully finding many more).
Here’s one that you never saw unless you lived on the west coast. This large ad ran in a few different newspapers back in the spring of 1953, promoting the last of the two Pacific Coast League sets issued by Mother’s Cookies.
Interesting that it references “new cards every week” and the album you could order to hold them–with your name embossed on it in gold. If you’re unaware, here’s what the cards looked like when you pulled yours out of the bag:
Serena Williams’ famous smashed racket is among the items in Goldin Auctions’ new catalog, which is launching Monday.
How it got there is an interesting tale.
Popular former pitcher Mickey Lolich auctioned off over 30 items from his career late last week. The top-selling item was his personal 1968 World Series trophy, which went for $23,958 through Collect Auctions.
His ’68 game-used World Series bat netted $9,481.
According to Fox2 in Detroit, the 79-year-old Lolich is turning the proceeds over to his grandchildren.
Related Stories:
Record Rookie: O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Card Sold for $3.75 Million
Notes: eBay ‘Offer to Buyers’ a Big Hit; New England Market Strong; $1 Million Gretzky Rookie?; Upper Deck and Alexis
Notes: 50th Anniversary of Landmark Hobby Event; Virus-Related Updates
Why Baseball Cards Came Out a Tad Later in 1964
Opening a 1979-80 OPC Hockey Box at the National
Hobby Time Travel: Photos from a 1973 Baseball Card Show
Sports Collecting’s Real “Boom” Was in the 1970s
