In case you can't tell, this is a reprint of a Gretzky OPC rookie and even then, it isn't an amazing quality reproduction. I have seen reprints with the printer's mark on the left shoulder which has me scared about ever buying a non-graded OPC version Gretzky. However, I bought this for 3 bucks and I am glad I did because it is as close as I am going to get for a little while but I can still enjoy it for what it is....art.
I am very very tempted to get this scanned at a very high resolution (or find a high res one) and make a poster for my classroom. It is such an amazing looking card that I do consider it art. Would I like the set as much if Gretzky wasn't in it? Probably not. But this is how things turned out so I will enjoy them as they are and in my books, this is one of the top 10 cards ever made in sports and definitely one of the best in hockey.
Here is the back of the card, mistake and all. Took OPC a few years as 67ers pointed out for OPC to change his WHA games to 80 instead of 60.
Just a fun post about hockey art, hope to share the real thing Topps or OPC some day.
I've thought about completing the 1979/80 Topps Hockey set someday, but the Gretzky rookie stands in my way. Truth be told, I'd rather have a counterfeit... completing the set isn't important enough for me to spend the money for the real deal, and if someone gave me the real card I'd probably sell it to buy a bunch of other cards I'd rather have.
ReplyDeleteVery good point! I have felt that way about other cards before. I had a Gallagher Artifacts Rookie Auto /99 which I liked owning but the fact that it booked for over 100 bucks meant I could sell it buy other things and in a few years buy a different Gallagher auto and be just as happy.
DeleteIf I ever win the lottery... this card and the 86F Jordan are at the top of my list. I met a guy at a card show last year who did canvas paintings of sports cards. I considered having him paint my 56T Jackie Robinson. This card would be pretty cool to have painted (and maybe even signed by The Great One).
ReplyDeleteThat would be a very cool thing to see....
DeleteNice, I've got a Topps copy which is probably my most prized hockey card but man is OPC going to be a bear. Maybe someday. Even though I don't collect basketball I agree with Fuji about the '86 Fleer Jordan also...
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying too because if/when I buy a Gretzky rookie I want both. Not only do I want both, but the more I think about it I want one that will be at least a 7 in PSA terms because I would hate to have spent a couple hundred on an OPC one with creases and dings.
Delete