1969 O-Pee-Chee Set Completed

[1963Topps Set]

Got the last two cards in today. 21 - Jose Santiago, 28 - Mike Ryan

I would like to thank the board members for their help. It is greatly appreciated.

The 1969 OPC set is NOT that easy to complete. First of all, the cards were pressed in much less quantity then their American Topps counterparts. Also, general interest in OPC cards are much less too.

I do not understand why OPC stopped production at 218 cards (the first two series of Topps) because of this card 260 Reggie Jackson rookie misses here. They did print the 3rd series checklist rather then replacing it with a general player. I suspect a third series was planned? The inclusion of this checklist must of been very confusing for collectors in Canada back in 1969.

Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver are also not included as is Mickey Mantle's final card.

Still it is a dream come true to have a vintage complete OPC set. I still have a number of spares is anyone else is going for this set.

Next up is a possible 1970 OPC set. I have the Munson rookie (two in fact) I just have to catalog what I need.

Many thanks again everyone! Tom

[quitcrab]

Nice job !!
Interesting info on how much the OPC set is different from the Topps set. I only have a couple OPC cards in my collection. I do like the backs to the 1971 OPC better than the Topps.
Scott

[brob28]

Congrats Tom. I have recently began putting together the OPC '71 set. I ended up with a Kaline OPC from the set when I was a kid and have always liked the backs better than the states issued set (like Scott). Due to the relative scarcity of these compared to the states issued cards, I have to battle my OCD regarding condition or it will take far to long to complete.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Congrats Tom on finishing the 69 set...my only completed OPC set from the 60s.

I have a theory on why Topps stopped their production on this set at 218. A few years back, I picked up a grouping of 1968-70 OPC cards on ebay from a seller in Canada. Included in this several hundred card grouping were some last series 69 Topps (not OPC) cards. What was interesting about these regular 1969 Topps cards is the fact that all of them had at least one and in some cases multiple rough edges, almost identical to a typical OPC cut. Having gone through many 10s of 1000s of 1969s Topps over the years, I do not recall seeing this many OPC type rough edges with the 69 Topps, especially all in one place at one time. It also seemed odd that a Canadian collector would have just a handful of regular issue Topps cards (with an OPC cut) in with all of their other OPC cards.

So, I have always wondered if Topps may have sold uncut sheets of some of the later series 69s to OPC so they could cut up and distribute them in Canada later in the summer as a test to see how the later series would sell. Based on the cutting of the edges and where the cards in this grouping came from, this would not seem out of line. If this was a test, it must of worked well enough as OPC issued a 546 card set in 1970.

[hcv123]

I love the O Pee Chee cards (and Venezuelans for that matter) - so much more of a challenge than good old Topps! I don't do sets, but have a handfull of great OPC cards (1968 Ryan rookie, 1971 Ryan, 1971 Clemente (all the OPC Clemente's actually), 1971 Pirates team (PSA 9), some nice 1969 Deckle's, 1975's, etc.

I also love the 1968 O Pee Chee insert Posters - they are INSANELY difficult to find in any semblance of decent condition.

[toppcat]

Congrats Tom on finishing the 69 set...my only completed OPC set from the 60s.

I have a theory on why Topps stopped their production on this set at 218. A few years back, I picked up a grouping of 1968-70 OPC cards on ebay from a seller in Canada. Included in this several hundred card grouping were some last series 69 Topps (not OPC) cards. What was interesting about these regular 1969 Topps cards is the fact that all of them had at least one and in some cases multiple rough edges, almost identical to a typical OPC cut. Having gone through many 10s of 1000s of 1969s Topps over the years, I do not recall seeing this many OPC type rough edges with the 69 Topps, especially all in one place at one time. It also seemed odd that a Canadian collector would have just a handful of regular issue Topps cards (with an OPC cut) in with all of their other OPC cards.

So, I have always wondered if Topps may have sold uncut sheets of some of the later series 69s to OPC so they could cut up and distribute them in Canada later in the summer as a test to see how the later series would sell. Based on the cutting of the edges and where the cards in this grouping came from, this would not seem out of line. If this was a test, it must of worked well enough as OPC issued a 546 card set in 1970.

This is not the craziest thing I have ever read, although in '68 they only had 196. I wonder if 1969 OPC packs have been found with Topps cards above #218 in them?

[seanofjapan]

Congrats Tom on finishing the 69 set...my only completed OPC set from the 60s.

I have a theory on why Topps stopped their production on this set at 218. A few years back, I picked up a grouping of 1968-70 OPC cards on ebay from a seller in Canada. Included in this several hundred card grouping were some last series 69 Topps (not OPC) cards. What was interesting about these regular 1969 Topps cards is the fact that all of them had at least one and in some cases multiple rough edges, almost identical to a typical OPC cut. Having gone through many 10s of 1000s of 1969s Topps over the years, I do not recall seeing this many OPC type rough edges with the 69 Topps, especially all in one place at one time. It also seemed odd that a Canadian collector would have just a handful of regular issue Topps cards (with an OPC cut) in with all of their other OPC cards.

So, I have always wondered if Topps may have sold uncut sheets of some of the later series 69s to OPC so they could cut up and distribute them in Canada later in the summer as a test to see how the later series would sell. Based on the cutting of the edges and where the cards in this grouping came from, this would not seem out of line. If this was a test, it must of worked well enough as OPC issued a 546 card set in 1970.

I am Canadian and this makes sense to me. When I was collecting in the late 80s/early 90s I remember noticing how all the 1969 Topps card I got locally,, which were from the 3rd series and up, had that rough OPC cut. I thought all 1969 Topps cards were cut like that until I took a trip south of the border and saw ones that were cut straight. So I have a 69 Mantle and Jackson with rough edges still in my collection.

[Rich Klein]

Also -- OPC produced hockey cards in a second (or later 3rd) series when Topps would conclude. If they only had one main printing press (Dave would know better than I would) and Hockey sold better than Baseball, then it would make sense to complete production on baseball and move to better selling hockey cards. I suspect by about 1970 they probably got a 2nd printing press as the sets got larger beginning in 1970.

Regards
Rich

[1963Topps Set]

I am Canadian and this makes sense to me. When I was collecting in the late 80s/early 90s I remember noticing how all the 1969 Topps card I got locally,, which were from the 3rd series and up, had that rough OPC cut. I thought all 1969 Topps cards were cut like that until I took a trip south of the border and saw ones that were cut straight. So I have a 69 Mantle and Jackson with rough edges still in my collection.

Can you post scans?

[Tom S.]

Tom, I'm glad to hear that you were able to finish up your 1969 OPC set.

Like savedfrommyspokes, that's my only completed OPC set from the 60's as well (my next closest are the 1965's at 72%).

Best of luck on whatever O-Pee-Chee set you decide to take on next!

[1963Topps Set]

Thanks Tom S. It was actually seeing your post in the Variation thread that planted the seed. I then bought a huge lot of 1969 OPC cards at a VERY reasonable price from an Ebay dealer that left me needing 97 cards. The rest is history!