The 1960s were a time of upheaval and growth for the NHL, and the 1969-70 Topps hockey set put the finishing touches to a decade of change. Topps' wax packs now carried a few more cards but the prices in each sport had morphed from a nickel to a dime between the spring release of baseball and the fall and winter sports. Each pack contained a pair of player stamps (more … [Read more...]
1966-67 Topps Hockey Showcased Bobby Orr Rookie Card
The 1966-67 Topps hockey set used a wood-grain television design to frame color photos of the NHL’s best players. Color television was still a novelty in 1966. It was a big deal when the opening credits of a television program boasted that the show was being brought to you “in living color.” The newest and brightest star of the NHL would be the signature card in this set — … [Read more...]
1963-64 Topps Hockey Set Sported Horizontal Look
Topps continued its pattern of a 66-card set for its 1963-64 hockey set. Like the previous year, the set was split among the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers as Parkhurst took care of the Leafs, Canadiens and Red Wings. It would be the last year for the split with Parkhurst exiting the hockey card market before the following season. And again, the … [Read more...]
1968-69 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Set an Important Issue
2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee hockey card set. The issue featured an innovative design, a key rookie card, and plenty of stars. It was also the largest hockey set issued to that date. Here's a closer look at what became the first modern O-Pee-Chee issue. 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee Basics Working closely with American brand Topps, … [Read more...]
Howe Parkhurst Hockey Photo at Auction
Expansion had yet to arrive and players on the “Original Six” NHL teams were familiar to fans but none were more famous than Mr. Hockey in the early 1960s. Gordie Howe’s career began just after World War II and lasted until he was in his 50s, playing in the World Hockey Association. His 32-year-career included 25 with the Detroit Red Wings where he played on 23 … [Read more...]
1957-58 Topps Hockey Set Marked Company’s Return to NHL Cards
The 1957-58 Topps hockey set marked the company’s return to the sport after a two-year break that followed the 1954-55 debut set. Topps must have felt pretty optimistic about the sports bubble gum business at the time, because it also produced its first basketball card set that winter. 1957-58 Topps Hockey Basics The set consists of 66 cards representing only … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: ‘Best Hockey Image of All-Time’?
Gordie Howe's name is all over the National Hockey League record book, mostly for all of the goals he scored in his long career. Gordie, though, was also known as a guy who didn't shy away from contact on the ice. Howe used his stick for reasons that had nothing directly to do with shooting the puck into the net and he wasn't afraid to apply a hard check when … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Bat Top Seller in $1.2 Million Auction
Even on the ice, Babe Ruth memorabilia is a hot ticket item. A game-used bat by Ruth, from the 1919-1922, has been in the Hull family for years. First, it was owned by hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, and then by his son, fellow Hall of Famer Brett Hull. For hockey fans, that was a different kind of stick. But someone paid the cash to win it. Wednesday, it was the top … [Read more...]
Ken Dryden Rookie Card Headlines 1971-72 Topps Hockey Set
Even with recent expansion, there were just 14 teams in the National Hockey League when the puck dropped on October 8, 1971. While going deeper into rosters for the O-Pee-Chee brand, Topps' 1971-72 hockey set remained at just 132 cards. 1971-72 Topps Hockey Basics The 1971-72 Topps hockey cards maintained the standard 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" size. However, the cards were much … [Read more...]
Bobby Orr And Hall of Fame Rookies Anchor 1970-71 Topps Hockey Set
There were two new NHL teams as a new decade dawned but the size of the 1970-71 Topps hockey set remained the same. Buffalo and Vancouver were the new teams but the established stars remained the focus. Despite its relatively small size, the 132-card set includes plenty of interesting cards including several Hall of Famers and a couple of key rookie cards. 1970-71 Topps … [Read more...]