Expansion came to the National Hockey League in 1967--and in a big way. The league doubled in size from the longstanding "Original Six" franchises to a 12-team league that was now coast-to-coast. The move came too late to be reflected in the nickel wax packs of cards that arrived on candy counters that season. The 1967-68 Topps hockey checklist included only … [Read more...]
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New Book: The O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Story
Collectors who appreciate learning about the history of trading card companies and their products have a new book to consider. The O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card story offers 116 pages of information and background on the London, Ontario-based company that was a part of every Canadian kid’s childhood for many years, producing hockey and baseball gum cards. The book’s author … [Read more...]
1976-77 Topps Hockey Short on Rookies but Big on Subsets and Inserts
For the most part, the 1976-77 Topps hockey set was your standard run-of-the-mill 1970s hockey issue. But in addition to numerous subsets in the release, Topps also introduced a unique insert, which helped it stand out from others. Here's a closer look at Topps' issue for the 1976-77 hockey season. 1976-77 Topps Hockey Overview The 1976-77 Topps hockey set was a 264-card … [Read more...]
1974-75 Topps Hockey Continued Shift Toward Larger Sets
After producing several issues that included only a few dozen cards, Topps made a major push in the 1970s to increase the size of its hockey sets. Here's a closer look at the 1974-75 Topps hockey issue that continued that model of growth. 1974-75 Topps Hockey Overview At the start of the decade, Topps' hockey sets consisted of 132 cards. That was double the size of what … [Read more...]
Gretzky Canada Cup Jersey Nets Six Figure Price
Wayne Gretzky’s 1981 Canada Cup jersey soared to $104,328 to set the pace in Classic Auctions’ Spring catalog, which closed early Wednesday morning. The red #99 jersey had been in the collection of Alan Eagleson, a one-time NHLPA boss who was later convicted of fraud and embezzlement. In what was his first Canada Cup tournament, Gretzky's 12 points (five goals, seven … [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...]
1923 and 1924 Crescent Selkirks Sets Were Early Hockey Issues With Promotions
In 1923 and 1924, Crescent Ice Cream produced a pair of pre-war hockey card sets in Canada for the hometown Selkirk Fishermen. Two different sets were produced by the company and the sets included some special promotions (with a catch). Here's a closer look at the Crescent Selkirks sets of the 1920s. 1923-24 and 1924-25 Crescent Selkirks Overview Crescent Ice Cream released … [Read more...]
1953-54 Parkhurst Hockey Set Had Top Rookies; Errors, Too
Parkhurst returned for its third consecutive year with the release of its 1953-54 issue, tinkering a bit and welcoming some new faces who'd soon be famous, but keeping the look much the same as it had been a year earlier. As was the case with previous sets, the 1953-54 Parkhurst hockey set included a strong mix of key Hall of Fame rookie cards and established NHL … [Read more...]
Great Story Behind the Rookie Card of the NHL’s First Draft Pick
Garry Monahan will always have a place in NHL history. He was the league's first selection in its first ever draft back in 1963, taken by the Montreal Canadiens as a teenager. Four years later, he made one of the shortest debuts in league history, knocked unconscious by a flying puck he'd sent to center ice just a couple of seconds earlier. You know it's not a tall tale … [Read more...]
Gordie Howe Rookie Card Still Within Reach
The sports world lost another great one Friday with the death of ‘Mr. Hockey’ at age 88. The Gordie Howe rookie card from the 1951-52 Parkhurst set is one of the most important ever made and represents the beginning of a career that began in 1946 and didn't end until 1980. Howe appeared on Topps’ first hockey set in 1954-55 and was still active when the company produced its … [Read more...]
