Just as stories of Wayne Gretzky’s dominance remain at the forefront of any discussion regarding hockey history, the prominence of his 1979-80 Topps #18 rookie card endures more than four decades after its release. As if this issue wasn’t appealing enough as the RC of one of the most dominant athletes in sports history, its gorgeous design elevates it even higher. But, as with many aesthetically pleasing sets throughout sports card history, this card skates the line between fantastic and frustrating, with its beautiful blue borders known for chipping. Add to that centering issues that plague the release, and you’ve got a printing that’s difficult to net in high grade.
What's more scarce than a strong condition copy is one that boasts The Great One's autograph. That's exactly what's showcased here. The foundation is a strong NM-MT PSA 8 rookie card. But it's the addition of a 10-grade autograph that makes this card truly remarkable. It's a pop 2 at this grade with just 1 ranking higher.
Over a 20-year career, Gretzky amassed an astonishing 2,857 points—still the all-time record by a massive margin—and remains the only player to surpass 200 points in a single season, a feat he achieved four times. He captured four Stanley Cup titles with the Edmonton Oilers, won a record nine Hart Trophies as league MVP, and secured ten Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s leading scorer.
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 06/18/2026.
