Introduction
There is a massive world of sports card collecting out there that has had people around the planet scrambling for items they take as a hot ticket. When it comes to the wide assortment of sports cards out there, Canadian Football League (CFL) cards pick up in popularity is a trend watched over time and the 1972 OPC CFL football set has maintained its stronghold since its release. The cards are a collectable gem, an opportunity to take a walk down memory lane and look at the images of some of the most prominent Canadian Football League players over time. We dive deep into the 1972 OPC CFL football cards, examine their place in hobby history and look at why they are a must for any serious collector.
OPC and CFL Cards Through the Years
Everyone seems to love OPC (O-Pee-Chee). When it comes to sports cards, O-Pee-Chee is the real OG: The manufacturer goes all the way back to 1911 — churning out not only hockey sets over time but baseball and football as well. The 1972 OPC CFL football cards help illustrate this storied history, a legacy of the period when the league was enjoying it’s golden days in Canada.
One of the major reasons why it was groundbreaking is because 1972 OPC CFL marked one of the last O-Pee-Chee productions in partnership with Canada’s premier pro league offering before they more or less shelved their football cards to concentrate on hockey offerings from that year up until virtually right now. It makes the 1972 set not just a nice collector’s item, but also something of CFL and Canadian sports history.
1972 OPC CFL Football Cards Key Features
1. Card Design
As distinct in design as any football cards on the OPC ALSO SAW CFL CARDS In 1972 with a whole set of their own. The cards are all done in a colorful way, with the player’s photograph and name displayed proudly on the front of them. It includes the player’s name, team and position as well, along with an OPC logo that adds to the authenticity of the card. On the backs are stats and a short bio, creating in one sense a mini player career snap shot to date.
2. Set Composition
The 1972 OPC CFL football card set includes a total of 132 cards and each team is represented in the league at that time. Cards from both sides, as well as coaches are in this set. Such complete coverage makes it an invaluable resource to fans of the CFL, all but a snapshot from just one week in the long 1972 season.
3. Notable Players
The 1972 OPC set contains some of the most iconic names in CFL history. Not only that, but they are all cards of guys like George Reed and Ron Lancaster and Russ Jackson which makes them highly collectible. All of these players were stars back in the day but also left a lasting impact on CFL, and that racks up some competitive issue value.
4. Rarity and Condition
Condition As is the case with any collectible, condition of the 1972 OPC CFL football cards is a major factor in their value. If anything qualifies as a lickable treasure, it’s mint copies of these cards (and with the set turning 22 this year, they’d be ancient artifacts). Worn, damaged or lost cards don’t affect its value too much because it’s estimated that there are only a few dozen to maybe 120 in excellent condition. To own an entire set in near mint condition, or even “mint” if such a thing exists is something any collector would love to achieve.
1972 OPC CFL Football Card Values
1. Current Market Value
Because of these two factors condition and play, the value of 1972 OPC CFL football cards can fluctuate quite a bit. Well preserved cards of the star players can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars (still from sets where base set common cards in good condition might only fetch $10 – 50) Just like any other collectible the market price can go up or down based on demand, but these cards generally trend upward over time which makes for an excellent investment option for collectors as well.
2. Factors Influencing Value
The value of these cards is based on a number of factors, such as rarity and conditionality player popularity. One of the keys is rarity, with some cards that were produced in limited numbers or are scarce now being highly valuable. The condition of the cards is equally crucial as better-preserved ones sell at more significant prices. Players that are Hall of Famers or have a legendary quality can make an immensely popular player as well, another factor to look at when trying to estimate the price of one.
3. Grading and Authentication
In the end, for collectors hoping to achieve maximum value with their 1972 OPC CFL football cards — grading and authentication are a must. One example could be getting your card graded, a service provided by professional grading services like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) or Beckett Grading Services(BGS), to determine it’s condition and ultimately its market value. If the card is also authenticated as an original, you can imagine a high-grade showing would be worth windfall.
Collecting 1972 OPC CFL Football Cards
1. Nostalgia and Sentimental Attachment
For a lot of collectors, especially those who live in Canada where hockey rules all, the 1972 OPC CFL football cards are about more than money. To the casual fan, these cards are a nod to days gone by; of when CFL was king in Canadian sports pop culture. These cards are a tangible link to the heroes of their childhood for fans who grew up watching CFL in the 1970s.
2. Investment Potential
These cards have tremendous investment potential, even if the sentimental value may never diminish. 1972 OPC CFL football cards likely to rise in value As the population of 1972 OPC CFL football cards wanes, their values could very well increase. With their rarity and condition today, collector investments in these cards could reap big rewards down the line of extraordinarily-high prices for top-condition or featuring star players.
3. Background And Cultural Relevance
More than just collectibles, the 1972 OPC CFL football cards remain one of key pieces in Canadian sports history. These cards help encapsulate a time when the CFL was at its peak in Canada and capture players who have forever changed our understanding of football. These cards are a necessity for collectors that consider the cultural and historical context of their collection important.
1972 OPC CFL Football Card Collecting Tips
1. Do Your Research
Before you start looking for 1972 OPC CFL football cards, writing down all of the details is key. Get to know who the big players are, how many tons per set and prevailing market trends. That information will be valuable to you when shopping for or selling cards.
2. Buy From Reputable Sources
Buy 1972 OPC CFL football cards from trusted sources. These would be established dealers such as auction houses, or trusted online platforms. It helps to know how much the card is worth on average so you can ensure that any deal being offered is a fair one, or if buying from someone in person online there’s less chance they’re giving out counterfeits as longer-established sellers will at least be taken seriously.
3. Consider Grading Your Cards
Owner of 1972 OPC CFL football cards Consider submitting them for professional grading. Like I said earlier, grading your cards can be a great way to increase marginal value over them—especially if you own them in excellent condition. Grading gives you that peace of mind, verifying the authenticity and quality of your cards.
4. Store Your Cards Properly
How to store your 1972 OPC CFL Football cards is crucial. Place them in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight and the cold. Why not invest on protective sleeves / cases to keep them in good condition for many, many fucking year.
And true collectors treasure the 1972 OPC CFL football cards. Ranging from the history of these cars to their cultural impact and investment potential, there’s something for every sort of fan or investor. These are a must have whether your just starting or looking to add more doses of these cards. Included in the article is a comprehensive look at some of these tips which all collectors can follow to make sure that their collection continues providing them joy for as long or they are collecting and maybe then, see an increase in value. So take the plunge and start adventuring through world of 1972 OPC CFL football cards, it is definitely a very intriguing trip.
