59% of a 1972-73 OPC set

Yesterday, I wrote about my intention to build the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Hockey set.

So, after declining that dealer’s offer for a set, sans-stars, I began my hunt for singles. Many were between 50 cents and $2. I also found 16 different W.H.A. cards for roughly $3 to $5 each (some were more, for obvious reasons).

I found 138 cards, giving me a total of 203 cards, which is 59% of the 340-card set.

Here are my favorite 10 cards from my set so far:

#137 – Tony Esposito (Chicago Blackhawks): Most dealers want $20 for this card. I found this one for $5.

#190- 2nd Series Check List: Yes, it is marked. But it was also only $5. This will do me good until I find a suitable replacement for not too much money.

#59 Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadiens): A light crease (left of Guy’s head) resulted in a cost of only $10.

#129 – Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins): Probably the most expensive card in the set. But don’t worry–I paid less than low book for it 🙂

#58 – Bobby Orr on the Offensive (NHL Action): The other pricey Orr card.

#92 – Jacques Plante (Toronto Maple Leafs): His last card as an NHLer. Plante would retire for a year and then play one season in the W.H.A.

#340 – Gerry Cheevers (Cleveland Crusaders): The other pricey W.H.A. card in this set. I think this card may be either trimmed or a mis-cut, as it is 1/8″ of an inch shorter than my other cards in this set. But I could not pass it up for $10.

#76 – Phil Esposito Standing in the “Slot” (NHL Action): Brother vs. brother for the profit of another!

#253 – The Stanley Cup Trophy: Or “Le Coupe de Stanley” as it is known in Quebec.

Card #336 – Bobby Hull (Winnipeg Jets):  I love this card. Yes, you heard me. I LOVE this card, and I am not afraid to admit it. It is the most expensive W.H.A. card in the set, and it features a Chicago legend sporting an airbrushed jersey for a “rebel” team. So freakin’ cool.

mm

Author: Sal Barry

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk

7 thoughts on “59% of a 1972-73 OPC set”

  1. The 'NHL Action' cards from this set were a great breath of fresh air IMO.

    Seeing some actual game action – awesome.

    Great pickups.

  2. Looks like you're off and running!

    Most of the regular-series stars (again, not named Orr) can be found under book if you shop. What you found for Tony-O should be true for a lot of them.

    The insert sets are neat. I'm still not finished those.

  3. I will definitely collect the insert sets. I really like the Team Canada inserts, but I'll probably wait until I finish this set (or at least have all of the non-commons).

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