(Written by Just Collect) – Can it be? Can this card really be nearly 42 years old? Can the guy pictured really be… 64 years old? Time flies, but sometimes it also stands still. The 1970-71 Topps rookie card of Hockey Hall of Famer Brad Park looks like it was pulled from a wax pack yesterday. So good, a PSA grader has labeled it a 10. Gem mint. The only PSA-graded Park rookie to be deemed worthy.
We’re offering it at auction this week, and it is already attracting attention from hockey card collectors worldwide. Razor sharp corners, crisp and clean with bold colors and an equally outstanding back, this card is worthy of any high end collection.
The Park rookie has been a challenge for many collectors seeking mint cards. Of the 164 cards graded by PSA as of now, there are only fourteen 9’s and this lone 10.
Park was one of the greatest players of the 1970s and early 80s. He began with the New York Rangers, then was part of a blockbuster deal that sent him to the rival Boston Bruins where he took over as top defenseman while the great Bobby Orr dealt with knee issues. After several stellar seasons playing at Boston Garden where he led the Bruins into the Stanley Cup finals twice, he would finish his brilliant career with the Detroit Red Wings, retiring after the 1984-85 season.
Early 1970s hockey cards offer the best of both worlds. They’re definitely considered ‘vintage’ and honestly, there aren’t that many high quality cards on the market. They’re also still somewhat affordable.
If you’re piecing together a high-grade Hockey Hall of Famers set, or building a top notch 1970-71 hockey set, you will have to wait a long time to add a card like this one. With only one on the market, we expect the bidding to stay competitive.
