Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction June 2025
A thought, dream and fantasy-provoking hobby event is what we’re excited to tell you about here, with a tantalizing unopened box of 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards on the auction block. The '79-80 hockey season saw a slight teenager by the name of Wayne Gretzky commence his National Hockey League career and begin his assault on the NHL record book, soon accomplishing unthinkable scoring feats, the likes of which have not been duplicated and which will likely never even be approached. At the time, hockey enthusiasts and gum-lovers were busting open 20-cent packs, like the forty-eight (48) offerings found on the interior of this relic that each hold a total of fourteen (14) cards plus a stick of bubble gum. A white coloured box that features action imagery of Andre Savard, Ron Ellis, Rick Green and Washington goalie Bernie Wolfe, the lid lists the fact that the set features the "4 New NHL Teams" and the cities of "Winnipeg - Quebec - Edmonton - Hartford". Also sporting a decree of a "New Giant Pack" (packs from 1978-79 held four fewer cards), and the word "HOCKEY" in big bold red letters outlined in black over the lid plus three (3) of the four (4) sides, the backside of the box displays an advertisement for Bazooka bubble gum and its three "terrific" flavours. With the Gretzky rookie card obviously pacing the entirety of the 396-card release, Wayne's first-year example is accompanied by those of fellow legends Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden and Mike Bossy also appearing on the condition-sensitive blue border cards. Sealed in its entirety with plastic wrap and displaying the remains of a scotch tape seal over the front side, the box is found to be in overall excellent condition for its effort, showing some creasing and toning/foxing in spots over the fold up display lid, which has been perforated and shows a bit of wear around its edge. With the four (4) sides of the box found to be in excellent condition as well, minor dings/creases are found at the bottom corners of all four (4) sides and the edge of the top lid folds over both the left and right just a little bit. Measuring roughly 7 1/4" x 8" wide and long while rising a total of 2 1/2" in height, serious hobbyists will understand the magnitude of the item, with contemplation as to whether or not to bust it open or keep it sealed sure to seep in. Regardless, don't let yourself miss out on this one for your all-important collection.
Please be advised that the box is made up of forty-eight (48) unopened packs that hail from different 1979-80 boxes to make it a complete offering and that it is not one that was packed at O-Pee-Chee in 1979. Jason Martin from Martin Sports Cards, inspected the packs and believes that they are all legitimate unopened examples, additionally, Martin believes that approximately sixty-five (65) percent of the packs contained within the box hail from the same original box. Because of these things, please note that the box is being sold "AS-IS" and is unable to be returned.
Please refer to our “SPORTS AND NON-SPORTS TRADING CARD RETURN POLICY” in the “AUCTION RULES”.
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