1979 O-Pee-Chee Hockey Wayne Gretzky ROOKIE #18 PSA 8.5 NM-MT+ (PWCC-A)

Wayne Gretzky’s NHL dominance has inspired generations of fans to collect his most coveted card: the 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie. Hockey card collectors know O-Pee-Chee best for manufacturing this iconic Gretzky rookie, but many fans might not realize how the company started. In 1911, brothers John and Duncan McDermid began making gum, popcorn, and mints in Canada and later in London. They named their new company O-Pee-Chee after the family’s summer cottage, which bore the same name. The company did not start printing trading cards until 1933 when it produced its first hockey set. Nestle bought O-Pee-Chee in 1996, but the brand remains iconic in the trading card industry. No card O-Pee-Chee ever made has generated more buzz than the Gretzky rookie. Topps also created a version of this card in the United States, and Gretzky appeared on two postcards in ‘79, but his O-Pee-Chee has always been his de facto rookie card. Several factors make the Gretzky rookie desirable. Collectors gravitate toward the best players’ first cards, a tradition that began in the late 19th century. The O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie has tremendous eye appeal, too. The blue borders are unique and attractive. The image of Gretzky on ice shows the 18-year-old star in his Edmonton uniform, and the flip side touts Wayne as the best prospect to turn professional since Guy Lafleur. Collectors yearn for reverse-side content that takes them back to when a star’s career began as fans did not yet know if they would live up to their billing. Finally, the card contains one of the most creative flip-side designs of the era. O-Pee-Chee enclosed the information on the back of the card in a skate with Gretzky’s name on the blade. In 1979, Gretzky signed sports’ longest-ever contract: a 20-year deal with Edmonton for $5 million. “I just like to play hockey,” Gretzky said. “It doesn’t matter where.” Dubbed “the Wonder Kid,” Gretzky had established himself as the best prospect since Bobby Orr. “He has quick skates and can turn on a dime,” said Oiler coach Glen Sather. “He’s the best-turning skater on the team, and he’s so fast the only one who can keep up with him is our power-skating instructor.” The league would soon learn Sather was right. Collectors have difficulty keeping up with this card in high grades. Of the more than 11,000 PSA assessed, only two have earned a PSA 10, and only 93 examples have scored a PSA 9 without a qualifier. You can learn more about this card in PWCC's A Guide to Wayne Gretzky's 1979 Rookie Card. https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/definitive-guides/a-guide-to-wayne-gretzkys-1979-rookie-card " The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 2/20/2024.