For just over a decade, Canadian kids had the same amount of hockey cards to collect each year. The "396" era came to a close with 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee - a set which ranks among the best the company ever released thanks to a sharp and colorful design, tons of big rookie cards, and an awesome contest. What the card-buying public north of the border was not prepared for, though, … [Read more...]
Top Banner 486X60
2017-18 Upper Deck NHL Premier to Offer Big Patches, On-Card Autos
Slated to arrive in hobby shops around the time the Stanley Cup Final begins, 2017-18 Upper Deck NHL Premier has been an increasingly popular release in recent years. Collectors are going to be cracking open tins once again in order to get their hands on hard-signed Acetate Rookie Auto Patches of this season's freshman class. Collectors can expect to find one of the coveted … [Read more...]
MeiGray Auctions ECHL All-Star Jerseys, Pucks
Wayne Gretzky was among those in attendance last month when the ECHL held its All-Star Game in Indianapolis. While it’s a bit much to expect any one of the young players on the ice that day to become the next Great One, there’s a good chance a few of them will be skating in NHL arenas someday soon. More than 65 players from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to play … [Read more...]
Notes: NorCal Dealer Still Going Strong; Gretzy’s Historic Puck; Flipping Auction Items
If you’ve collected autographs or browsed for them online, you’ve probably seen the white paneled footballs and basketballs that are designed with graphers in mind. They were created over 25 years ago by Rob Hemphill, who at the time was building his young business in Northern California. Working with Wilson Sporting Goods, Hemphill’s idea was a hit. He later … [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...]
Buyers of Autographed Gretzky Books Get Autopen
Despite his world-wide fame, Wayne Gretzky has been known as one of the more generous autograph signers in sports but customers who ordered signed copies of his new book have come away disappointed. A large quantity of “autographed” copies of ’99 Stories of the Game’ sold through Indigo Books and Music were actually autopenned. Indigo realized the mistake after customers … [Read more...]
Close Call for Gretzky Collector as Fire Rips Through Fort McMurray
The gigantic wildfire in Alberta has destroyed countless homes and businesses, turning lives upside down. For the world’s top collector of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia, it’s been something unimaginable. Shawn Chaulk lives in the area, normally a quiet spot from which to engage his passion for the hobby. That all changed last week. "It was like Armageddon," he told The … [Read more...]
Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card Values Rising as Icon Turns 55
Before he’d turned 20, he’d played in 126 games, scored 76 goals and had 144 assists to his credit for a total of 220 points. He turned 55 on Tuesday and hasn’t played in a game since the 1998-99 season but he still holds about five dozen NHL records. Still considered the greatest of all-time, the Wayne Gretzky rookie card is still the gold standard for modern hockey … [Read more...]
Papa Gretzky Aids Burglary Victim with Signed Photo
Earlier this week, we brought you the story of Mike Agriesti, a long-time collector of Wayne Gretzky cards and memorabilia from The Great One's hometown, who lost virtually everything he had in a burglary at a car wash business he owns. It's still missing but Agriesti had reason to smile a couple of days later when he received an unexpected visit from the world's best known … [Read more...]
Notes: Mantle Still on Fire; Collector is Theft Victim; Cool Canucks Cave
The last PSA 8 rated 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle sold at auction was less than three months ago when Mile High Card Company sold one for over $99,000—more than three times the auction level from just three years earlier. It’s possible that record will be shattered this month. Bidding for another 8 at Memory Lane is now at around $85,000 with the buyer’s premium and there are … [Read more...]
