Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2023
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/27/2023
Instantly recognizable for its iconic bright blue coloured borders and skate design on the reverse, the 1979-80 hockey release by O-Pee-Chee also benefits by the fact that it includes perhaps the most important hockey card of all-time in the form of Wayne Gretzky’s coveted rookie offering. Pictured with Titan stick in hand during a WHA Oilers game the previous season, the copy of Gretzky’s first-year cardboard that accompanies this near complete 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee assembly (371/396) has been assessed a grade of VG 3 by PSA after inspection. Displaying off-center from right-to-left and wear/dings to all four corners, the card still retains good colours while thin blue print lines are seen over the reverse. Housed in a minty fresh PSA holder having been just graded, the other 370-cards that make up the set are found to be in a condition range consistent with the Gretzky, falling into the scope of G to VG and VG to VG-EX in our opinions, some examples both better and worse are also present throughout. Missing cards #’s 26, 64, 80-T. Esposito, 82-Oilers Checklist, 88, 90-Shutt, 131-Checklist, 140, 161-Bossy RB, 163-Whalers Checklist, 200-Lafleur AS, 210, 239-Cloutier, 249-Red Wings Checklist, 250-Kings Checklist, 255-Flyers Checklist, 257-Blues Checklist, 260-Captials Checklist, 261-Nordiques Checklist, 267, 295, 341, 345, 352 and 353, the notables are led by VG to VG-EX range copies of card #175 picturing Gordie Howe (corner wear) and #230 of Mike Bossy (light dings to all four corners). Followed up by a lone G to VG card of #185 Bobby Hull (corner dings and wear), a copy of Ken Dryden’s final career card is seen as being in the scope of GOOD due to corner wear/dings, a crease at the bottom right corner and a pair of light surface creases on the reverse. Lastly, the all-important Jets team checklist card is seen as being in the range of FR due to the fact that it is heavily marked on the reverse, shows corner dings to all four points and is stained over the front while the lead off card, the 1978-79 goal leaders card of Bossy, Dionne and Lafleur is found in the scope of PR to FR with corner dings to all four points and numerous heavy creases. For the two checklists that are present, both are in PR to FR condition with numerous creases with one having been partially marked. With some cards showing creases found throughout the rest of the set, most of team checklist cards are at least partially marked and the remaining stars are found in a condition that is consistent with the rest of the assembly.
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