TOP TEN HOCKEY CARDS FROM THE 1960s

[samosa4u]

The coronavirus has prevented me from doing much these days, so I decided to do this thread. In case some of you missed it, I did do one for the 1950s. It can be found here:

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=276444

Now doing a top ten list for the 1960s was a lot more challenging. This is because a lot of cards are similar in price and popularity. Of course, everyone is going to agree with my first pick, but the ordering for the rest can be debated.

1) 1966 Topps #35 Bobby Orr



Ladies and gentlemen, Bobby Orr! The wooden borders has made this a condition sensitive card. Even a bit of wear on the corners and edges can be an eyesore. Centering is another problem. Many examples are found miscut and you can sometimes see yellow lettering above his head (the player is Bobby Hull). And sadly, many high-grade examples have been trimmed. If you do want to own a high-grade example in the future, then get your ruler ready!

2) 1965 Topps #116 Phil Esposito



I just love this card! The blue background and red Chicago jersey creates an awesome color contrast. Phil is one of the greatest powerforwards of all-time and gave opposing players hell in the slot area. In one of the worst trades in hockey history, Chicago gave him, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield for Pit Martin, Jack Norris and Gilles Marotte. He helped the Bruins to a few cups and went on to score over 700 goals! Ouch!

3) 1960 Topps #14 Stan Mikita



Mikita was often overshadowed by his teammate, Bobby Hull, but he was one hell of a player! He won many individual awards and went on to join the 500-goal club. This card is not difficult to find in high-grade, but centering can be a challenge.

4) 1961 Parkhurst #5 Dave Keon



One of the greatest Leafs of all-time. Keon helped the team dominate the league in the 60s. He brought the cup to Toronto four times with the last one being in 1967. Toronto has not won a cup since.

5) 1968 O-Pee-Chee #89 Bernie Parent



Only Jesus saves more than Bernie Parent! Some of you might be wondering why this card didn't rank higher. Majority of these cards are found with a tilted image (as seen in the above scan). This is why high-grade well-centered examples sell for a premium. I don't think this card should be placed higher than the others, but again, this can be debated.

6) 1965 Topps #76 Yvan Cournoyer



This is the second-most popular card from the 65' Topps set. Cournoyer spent his whole career with the Canadiens and won an incredible ten Stanley Cups, second only to Henri Richard's eleven.



7) 1967 Topps #92 Bobby Orr



This second-year card has been growing in popularity over the years. Not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around for a nice-looking Orr rookie, and so this is the next best thing. High-grade examples are not too difficult to find, but centering can be a problem.

8) 1961 Topps #62 Rod Gilbert



One of the greatest Rangers of all-time. Rod never won a cup, but he still left his mark on the franchise.

9) 1965 Topps #31 Gerry Cheevers



Another beautiful card from the popular 65' Topps set. Cheesie, as he was called, is best known for being "Bobby Orr's goalie." His mask is also one of the most recognized in the sport.

10) 1963 Parkhurst #55 Gordie Howe



I never get tired of looking at this card. The smiling portrait of Howe with the American flag in the background has made this a favorite among collectors.

[jthorst75]

I've been looking forward to the 60's list and thank you for posting it! Great picks too! Of course I'll be waiting for the 70's list

[camaro69]

Great list.Hard to argue with your chooses.But I Think Tony Esposito may have started his career in Montreal,where he won his only Stanley Cup as a back up.

[irv]

Originally Posted by camaro69

Great list.Hard to argue with your chooses.But I Think Tony Esposito may have started his career in Montreal,where he won his only Stanley Cup as a back up.

Esposito turned pro with the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Hockey League in 1967–68 and played with the Houston Apollos in the Central Hockey League in 1968–69.[4].

He first played in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1968–69 season.[4] He was only the third American college player selected by an NHL team.[6] Esposito made his NHL debut against the Oakland Seals, playing 26 minutes in relief of Rogie Vachon. His first NHL start was against the Boston Bruins, then led by his brother Phil.[4] The game ended in a 2–2 tie, in which Phil scored both goals for Boston and Tony made 33 saves. Esposito played thirteen regular season games, due to both Gump Worsley and Vachon being injured. However, Esposito returned to the minors when they both returned from their injuries. Worsley was injured again during the playoffs, so Esposito was called again. Tony Esposito served as backup to Vachon, dressing for all four games in the finals. As the Canadiens club was deep in goaltenders at that time, with Worsley, Vachon and other prospects in the system, Esposito was left unprotected by the Canadiens in 1969.

[BillP]

Originally Posted by jthorst75

I've been looking forward to the 60's list and thank you for posting it! Great picks too! Of course I'll be waiting for the 70's list

Hi, great post. My list:
1964 T Paille #92
1966 T Orr #35
1964 T Dornhoeffer #72

[LuckyLarry]

It ain't pretty but it is real!
Larry

[Exhibitman]

can't leave The Big M off the list:



#2 for the most goals scored in the 1960s. Maybe not this card, but at least one of them over Dave Keon or Yvan Cournoyer...

[samosa4u]

I never knew that Tony played for the Habs! Thanks for letting me know this!

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

can't leave The Big M off the list:



#2 for the most goals scored in the 1960s. Maybe not this card, but at least one of them over Dave Keon or Yvan Cournoyer...

I disagree with you. First of all, his rookie card is very sought-after, but it is from 1957. Frank's cards from the 1960s sell for very little money due to low demand. It wouldn't make any sense to put one of these cards over the rookies of Keon and Cournoyer.

Thank you for your post.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

I never knew that Tony played for the Habs! Thanks for letting me know this!



I disagree with you. First of all, his rookie card is very sought-after, but it is from 1957. Frank's cards from the 1960s sell for very little money due to low demand. It wouldn't make any sense to put one of these cards over the rookies of Keon and Cournoyer.

Thank you for your post.

So money is the only criteria?

[camaro69]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

So money is the only criteria?

I read it as the top 10 players that started their career in the 1960's(rookie cards).
If not we would certainly include a lot of players that were really at their peak in
the 60's even though they began their NHL career in the 50's,Payers like
Howe(really the 40's), Plante,Sawchuck,Horton,Beliveau, and the list goes on.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

It ain't pretty but it is real!
Larry

Thank you for sharing.

If prices start dropping this year, then I suggest you upgrade this card to something in the G-VG range. It'll be worth it.

Anyone else have an Orr they want to share?

[irv]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Thank you for sharing.

If prices start dropping this year, then I suggest you upgrade this card to something in the G-VG range. It'll be worth it.

Anyone else have an Orr they want to share?

I assume you mean an ORR RC, and if you do, all I can say is, I wish!

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by irv

I assume you mean an ORR RC, and if you do, all I can say is, I wish!

My friend, I'm pretty sure if you sold your Mantle, you could use that money to buy A LOT of high-end vintage hockey cards, including the Bobby Orr rookie.

[irv]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

My friend, I'm pretty sure if you sold your Mantle, you could use that money to buy A LOT of high-end vintage hockey cards, including the Bobby Orr rookie.

Yes, you are likely correct.