90-91 Pro Set Mike Krushelnyski Error

If you were a hockey card collector in the early 90's there is a strong chance that you had a few Pro Set cards in your collection and if you collected any sport except baseball from the same time period the same probably could be said as well. Pro Set created sets for the NFL, NHL, PGA, NASCAR and even non-sports sets like Yo! MTV Raps.

Pro Set took all these licenses and approached their production with the more is more approach and thus earned the reputation as being the King (or Queen) (or Genderless leader) of the Junk Wax World. However, in this mass production, there are some gems to be found. If you haven't had the chance yet, please check out the latest issue of Beckett Hockey Monthly because there is a pretty cool article written by Sal from Puckjunk.com which showcases some of these rare gems. For me, one that I needed was this card and I'm glad I was able to add it to my collection.

Hard to think that a 7th year card of am NHL journeyman would be one of the more valuable cards created by any company from 1990-91. The error was likely easily spotted and fixed quickly which adds to the scarcity of the card and is why it's somewhat sought after. Perhaps it is time to comb through your old shoeboxes and bins for 90-91 Pro Set as you could be in possession of some diamonds in the rough. Thanks for stopping by, next post won't be Pro Set related I promise.

Back Checking - 79-80 OPC/Topps Bob Sauve

So as most hockey and baseball collectors know, Topps and OPC for the most part have been siblings in the card world. Depending on the sport, one is more desirable than the other and Topps was the American thing to do and OPC was the Canadian. With OPC when it comes to hockey, you usually had a larger set, you traditionally got a dose of French with your card and the card stock was lighter in colour and the cards were often poorly cut.

In 1979-80 Wayne Gretzky's rookie year, both sets had some similarities and differences based on a few factors but in all the first 264 cards in the set were mostly the same. To accommodate the new franchises, Topps made a single card and OPC made several introducing fans to the team's logo and players in the set.

While skimming through my Topps and OPC sets I found a neat difference by accident. Check it out!

1979-80 Topps Bob Sauve

Here is the front of the Sauve card in Topps form. As you can see, the card is cleanly cut and the blue is very bright and other colours are clearly define as well . IF we were just looking at the front of the card, Topps always wins hands down.

1979-80 OPC Bob Sauve

The OPC offering isn't as easy on the eyes. The colours are more faded/muted and this card features a pretty typical off-centre cut that OPC was notorious for especially in the late 70's and early 80's.


1979-80 Topps Bob Sauve

Here is the back side to the Topps card, darker card stock than the OPC version below but what I want to draw your attention to is the comic. I guess instead of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, Bob kept his on the posts but made a habit of cutting them off! As a math teacher getting ready to go back to work next week, there have been countless times I have had students measure "angels" when attempting trigonometry and I always make a point on how to correctly spell angles but sadly it still is often spelled incorrectly. Apparently this artist on this card had the same issues as some of my past students.

1979-80 OPC Bob Sauve

What I find cool about the OPC version is when they went to translate to French or potentially immediately following the Topps release they fixed the spelling on "angles" and it appears correct on this card. From what I can tell, I don't think they ever changed it on the Topps version so it would technically be an UER because from what I can tell the Beckett Hockey doesn't have it even listed as an error so for there to be two versions is pretty unlikely.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, it has been ages since I did a back checking post so hopefully you enjoyed its resurrection!

The Most Important Card In My Collection...

Do you remember your first time? A pretty ambiguous question I know, but when it comes to card collecting do you remember? I do. I mentioned in a previous post my first pack of cards was the dubious 90-91 Pro Set and how I actually remember my first card. Since that time I have spent thousands of hours and dollars on the hobby and apart from playing and watching hockey it is one of my favourite ways to relax. Here is the card:

 

The card is now in a top loader and I recently found it prior to the move to my new house. I made a point to track it down because I knew I still had it and it was a matter of just searching.

The card itself is very insignificant in appearance and value. It is in VG shape after much handling and learning how to and how not to maintain mint cards. Funny how that one card lead to me owning the massive collection that currently occupies my man land and the joy that I still feel ripping something new or landing a sweet card via trade. I have actually grown to really love collecting in my adult years (after taking many years off) and I have a new appreciate for many aspects of the hobby and while it isn't perfect I see many more years of collecting in my future and 90-91 Pro Set is to blame.

On a side note I have finished my complete set a little while back and I am going to share a few more posts on 90-91 Pro Set (you have been warned).

Another for the PC - Alex Delvecchio Beehive Series 2 Error

A while ago I shared my first beehive pick up ever. Then a couple months later I was able to land my second and third which leaves me with just one ultra rare Delvecchio Beehive missing. 

This is the second of two Delvecchios from the Series 2 release of Beehive photos. This one is a little more rare based on what I can tell, but I have no idea of its value or rarity. I was able to land it for what I felt it was worth and as you can see, it incorrectly lists Alex's name as Bill. Based on the photo, I would say it was taken between 51-55 just based on the appearance of how old Alex looks. However, again I am just guessing here.

1944-64 Beehive Series 2 Alex Delvecchio Error

I really like the look of the photo, just a simple still shot. The photo itself is in amazing shape and a good piece in my collection.

Back Checking Ryan Johansen

Numbers have kind of been my thing my whole life. When ever I see them, I am always analyzing them and in fact I remember using Lotus 123 to calculate the Devils stats including g.a.a by using the daily box scores in my local newspaper (in days before the internet). Numbers and sports stats have always been fun for me and I could never get enough. 

When I got landed my Park and Robinson, I was also able to get a screaming deal on a Ryan Johansen Certified Rookie. When the card arrived, I loved the look of the front, the scribble signature with sticker technology and the game worn player worn swatch on the front. As much as I like to kid a bit, I really and sincerely do love the Certified rookies and this was no exception.

I then made my way to the back where I found something jump out at me....

92 points in 10-11 is a pretty solid output for 63 games, but apparently in 71 other WHL games, Ryan has 25 goals, 44 assists for 100 points. Hmmm.....something wrong here wouldn't you say? Well according to hockeydb, he did play 71 games the previous season, and did have 25 goals and 44 assists. But, we should all know that 25 + 44 doesn't equal 100, just like 65 + 98 wouldn't equal 192. In today's age of internet, spreadsheets and computers it is hard to think an addition error would still exist on hockey cards. True problems with the write up could happen or messing up a birth date but addition? I figured this type of stuff would be automated and imported in to a matrix on the backs of these cards. I guess I am wrong and adding is something that is still done by hand....and poorly at that.

Have you noticed any errors like this? I know the Beckett doesn't have it listed as an UER, have they stopped listing the new errors all together?

Mr Hockey

Here is another case of a card that just has me in awe despite the condition being rather poor. The card has a tiny surface crease, some rounding on the corners and some tape action on the front. The back is nearly perfect except for the corners. 

Even though it is in rough shape, I just LOVE this card. Simple design with a back that basically says every time he steps on the ice there is a new record! I really can't explain or quantify why I like this card so much I just do. For those wondering, this is from the 69-70 OPC set and it is the error version where there is no number on the back. I would love to track down one with the number too, but that will need to wait for another day. 

69-70 OPC #193A Gordie Howe NNO Error

Anyway, enough talk, just enjoy!