1980 81 O Pee Chee Hockey Cards
Introduction
The 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card set is one of the most popular vintage collections in the sports card world. It includes 396 cards and is highly sought-after by collectors, especially those who are fans of the NHL. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at this collection, including its history, the top cards, and how to value them.
History of O-Pee-Chee
O-Pee-Chee was a Canadian confectionery company that started producing hockey cards in 1933. The company was bought by Topps in the late 1960s, but they continued to produce hockey cards under the O-Pee-Chee name. The 1980-81 set was the company's 48th year producing hockey cards.
Design and Layout
The design of the 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Cards is simple but elegant. The front of each card features a photograph of the player, with his name and team listed at the bottom. The team logo is also displayed on the front of the card.
The back of the card features a short biography of the player, along with his vital stats and career highlights. There is also a cartoon on the back of each card that depicts a humorous scene involving the player.
Top Cards in the Set
There are several cards in the 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee set that are highly sought-after by collectors:
- Wayne Gretzky (#250) - This is the most valuable card in the set, and one of the most valuable cards in the entire sports card world. A PSA 10 Gretzky card sold for $465,000 in 2019.
- Ray Bourque (#140) - A PSA 10 Bourque card sold for $10,200 in 2019.
- Mike Bossy (#289) - A PSA 10 Bossy card sold for $5,700 in 2019.
- Mark Messier (#289) - A PSA 10 Messier card sold for $3,600 in 2019.
How to Value the Cards
The value of a 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card depends on several factors, including the condition of the card, the scarcity of the card, and the popularity of the player. The most valuable cards are those that are in near-perfect condition and feature popular players like Wayne Gretzky.
To value your cards, you can use resources like the Beckett Price Guide or check recent sales on auction sites like eBay. However, keep in mind that the value of a card can change rapidly based on market demand.
Conclusion
The 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card set is a beloved collection among sports card collectors. Its simple yet elegant design, coupled with the popularity of players like Wayne Gretzky, makes it a must-have for many collectors. If you're lucky enough to own one of these cards, take care of them and enjoy them - they are truly a piece of sports history.