Upper Deck has cancelled its annual Certified Diamond Dealer Conference, which had been scheduled for January 4-7 in Los Angeles. The gathering for hobby shop owners, distributors and others who conduct business with the company, is being scuttled because of COVID-19. “We also realize that many shops are just reopening after being shut down for months, and cannot in … [Read more...]
Notes: Photog Tells Story of Gretzky Rookie Card
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 … [Read more...]
Opening a 1979-80 OPC Hockey Box at the National
The National Sports Collectors Convention floor is always buzzing but in a quiet corner near PSA's booth on Thursday afternoon we spied one collector surrounded by opened packs of.... what? Was that really a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hockey box? The one with Wayne Gretzky's most valuable rookie card potentially inside? The ones that usually sell for around $50,000 on … [Read more...]
1979-80 OPC Pack Break Yields Greatness
A Las Vegas collector turned $150 into a potentially nice payday--or the crown jewel of just about any hockey collection--Wednesday night. He bought a $150 spot in a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hockey pack break conducted by Vintage Breaks and despite some relatively long odds, it was his spot in the 14-card break that came up when a Wayne Gretzky rookie card came up. "Thad" is … [Read more...]
1979-80 Topps Hockey Ushered In New Era
It was the first Topps hockey card set to feature The Great One, and the final one to include Mr. Hockey. In some ways, the 1979-80 Topps set ushered in the modern era of National Hockey League cards. Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card (No. 18) is the key card in the set, and the 264-card product is the final main run appearance of Gordie Howe (No. 175). Even the design signaled … [Read more...]
Hockey Card Stories 2 a Fitting Sequel
There are few trading card products today that generate a second series outside of the rare flagship brand, but the idea was certainly popular in the hobby for decades. Having a set released through small installments kept kids interested for the next one. In the case of Ken Reid's hit 2014 book Hockey Card Stories, the sequel, dubbed Hockey Card Stories 2, is now on store … [Read more...]
1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Box–Still Sealed–Coming to Auction
Unopened boxes of 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hockey don’t come to market very often. Those that still have the rudimentary but familiar piece of the company’s signature tape over the front lid are virtually non-existent. You knew there was a “but” coming, didn’t you? Collectors who’ve been searching for the whitest of vintage hockey wax white whales can stop looking. … [Read more...]
Notes: Shows in Toronto, Chicago; Tech Changes in the Hobby; Illegible Autographs
A couple of shows brought out autograph signers and collectors over the weekend. Some social media activity from the Sports Card Expo in Toronto and the Fanatics Authentic event in Chicago... Having a blast at the Sport Card Expo in the International Centre. #sports as far as the eye can see! We're representing #Barrie folks! #FanCave @sportcardexpo A post shared … [Read more...]
PSA 7 1952 Topps Mantle, Trout Glove Bring Bids in Goldin Auction
A PSA 7 near mint 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sold for $183,750 as Goldin Auctions closed out its Holiday Auction early Sunday morning. The card was part of Alan "Mr. Mint" Rosen's historic find of high numbers from the landmark set that took place 30 years ago. Prices for 1952 Mantle cards in all grades have skyrocketed in the last couple of years with prices … [Read more...]
NM 1952 Mantle, Speaker Bat…and Oswald’s Handcuffs at Auction
Stocked with everything from an O-Pee-Chee icon to Oswald’s handcuffs, Goldin Auction is hoping its Holiday Auction will attract interest from sports fanatics and history buffs. The 2016 edition opened Monday with more than 900-lots of sports, history and pop-culture memorabilia. The catalog sale runs through December 3. Goldin garnered worldwide media … [Read more...]