As a result of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL dominance, generations of fans flock 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 cut their teeth. In 1911, brothers John and Duncan McDermid began making gum, popcorn, and mints in Canada and later in London. They named their new company after their summer cottage, O-Pee-Chee. The company did not start printing trading cards until 1933, though, when they produced their first hockey set. Nestle bought O-Pee-Chee in 1996, but the brand remains iconic in the trading card industry. No O-Pee-Chee card has generated more buzz than the Gretzky rookie. Topps produced 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 – the one collectors have coveted for more than 40 years.
Learn more about this card in our Guide to Wayne Gretzky's 1979 Rookie Card:
https://www.fanaticscollect.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 01/08/2025.
