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...]
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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...]
1958-59 Topps Hockey Set Has Hall of Fame Pedigree
Omitting the pre-war era, only a handful of vintage hockey rookie cards can top Wayne Gretzky’s iconic 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee and Topps issues. One of those is Bobby Hull’s 1958-59 Topps card. Hull’s is surely one of the hobby’s finest when it comes to hockey cards and is often a reason collectors are drawn to the 1958-59 Topps set. Mid-grade examples of a card considered one of … [Read more...]
1955-56 Parkhurst Hockey Set Shouldn’t Be Forgotten
When it comes to vintage hockey sets, the king of the post-war era is arguably the 1951-52 Parkhurst edition. With no mainstream sets in several years, the issue features recognized ‘rookie’ cards of numerous Hall of Famers and stars with the iconic Gordie Howe leading the way. One set that gets lost in the shuffle a bit is the 1955-56 Parkhurst set. Featuring 79 cards, … [Read more...]
