O-Pee-Chee or Topps?

[xpucksx]

Ok, so I am wanting to delve into finishing some sets from the 70's and 80's. I have a small amount of cards from the late 70's and early 80's...about an even amount of Topps and O-Pee-Chee. I realize that basically O-Pee-Chee was the "Canadian Topps" (I am American).

In peoples opinion, which sets should I pursue? Are Topps "better" than O-Pee-Chees' from that era? Do the OPC's hold more "mystique" to me b/c they were not as common here in the States? In my research, it doesn't seem that there is a huge different in the values, but the older the sets get, the harder it seems to find OPC's over the Topps

The old OPC's tend to be more sentimental to me b/c my parents friends son, who was from Canada used to sit with me and go over his collection. He is the one who gave me the OPC cards that I am now rediscovering.

Am I just over thinking this?

[Gallinator]

This has got to be one of the oldest questions in the book - and a very good one! There has been a lot written on it and I think a little internet research will get you information on the whys and wherefores. Once you know something of the history of it, you can start to make an informed decision for yourself.

I first started buying cards in the 80/81 season, living in Arizona at the time. All I could get was Topps and that was the year they did the black "puck" over the name that you had to scratch off in order to see who it was if you didn't recognize them. The backs were a dull yellow. When I moved back to Canada for a few years starting in 1982, I acquired some vintage cards and started noticing the start difference between OPC and Topps cards. For some reason, the OPC cards were printed on brighter cardstock than Topps (and of course there was no Topps issue for 82/83 and 83/84). 84/85 Topps looked like crap compared to 84/85 OPC *and* it was a smaller set, so it was a no-brainer to not even pursue the Topps. Going back to the 80/81 set, the bright yellow backs of OPC look WAY better than the Topps (and don't have the pesky scratch-off) IMO and greatly enhance collectibility.

There are quality control issues with each and these seem to vary from year-to-year. Perhaps one of the vintage guys can chime in with a link or further explanation. In general, it is harder to find a clean, sharp-edged and well-centered OPC vs. the same Topps card. Try searching for a 74/75 Borje Salming RC, for instance - HUGE price difference on the secondary market for a high grade OPC ($30 BV but good luck getting one for that) vs. a high grade Topps (easily obtainable for around its $12 BV). I'm sure the differences are even greater for the bigger names.

For me personally, there is no comparison - OPC is where it's at! If I were just now getting into vintage, though, I might be attracted to Topps just for its lesser impact on the wallet. I obtained at lot of the cards I wanted during the 90's and I'm not sure about the vintage market nowadays.

[30ranfordfan]

For much of the 80s, the OPC set is bigger.

In 1987-88, for example, the OPC set has 264 cards. Topps only goes to 198. If you built the Topps set, you're missing out on Rookie Cards of Marty McSorley, Mike Vernon, Claude Lemieux, Vinny Damphouse, and Stephan Richer.

If the Topps sets are more sentimental to you, I can see the attraction. If sentiment is equal, I'd go OPC...... while mentioning a couple of things:

88-89 Topps: The Gretzky (press conference, holding up a Kings sweater) is the one time in the 80s where I think Topps used a different photo. It's a great looking card, and I picked up one of these to 'supplement' my OPC set.

89-90 Topps: Rarer than OPC, and that's reflected in the values.... though I don't think enough that it's a big deal.

80-81 Topps: The 'unscratched' versions are kinda cool, if you can get them. OPC didn't do that with their cards, so it's not a thing.

[xpucksx]

Cool. thanks for the insight so far!

Funny that you mention the Salming RC cause I just started to player collect him this past year in honor of him being the first Swede to play in the NHL....and he was a Maple Leaf!

From the internet research I did last night after posting this, I did get the idea that OPC sets were more "complete", in that they didn't sometimes leave out some players. I also looked at the ones I have and did notice the brighter card stock. I did some searching about the availability of sets and it seems like pre 1974 is harder to find complete or near complete sets. Seems like there is more 50's era PArkhurst stuff than 60's era OPC

I happen to have a couple of those 88-89 Gretzky cards as well.

Sentimentally, I would go for the OPC, so I think this is helping solidify that decision

[Sharky94]

Another thing you have to consider is where are you looking? If you are going to just do it through EBay, then it really wont matter much. But if you plan on going to shows to complete your sets, it'll be harder (and more expensive) to find OPC in the States, as most dealers will only have Topps.

[xpucksx]

Yeah. As much as I would like to go to shows, I will probably do most of the acquisition through the bay. I go to shows for football and baseball cards when I have the time, but my job doesn't allow me much time to travel....or pay me much extra to afford it ;). We are going to Toronto this summer for vacation, so I might try to see if I can plan some card searching time in between the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Rush-based "star-gazing"...

anyone know of any good shops in Toronto? Will also check to see if there are any card shows around the 10-17th of June...