1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Jim Pappin #42 Chicago Black Hawks

Description

1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Jim Pappin #42 Chicago Black Hawks Secure a proven Stanley Cup hero for your Chicago Black Hawks display with this 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Jim Pappin #42 Chicago Black Hawks card featuring the clutch right wing who could beat a goalie with a wrist shot and a big game moment in equal measure. For vintage hockey buyers, Pappin represents the perfect bridge between Toronto glory and Chicago stardom, and this early seventies O-Pee-Chee issue captures him in the classic red Chicago sweater during a run where the Hawks were perennial contenders at the Chicago Stadium. If you are building a 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee set, adding a star winger to a team wall, or hunting recognizable names at an accessible price, this card offers high display impact without the Hall of Fame premium. Jim Pappin earned his place in hockey lore long before he arrived in Chicago. As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs he helped the club capture the Stanley Cup in 1964 and again in 1967, famously scoring the Cup winning goal in 1967 against the Montreal Canadiens, a moment that still airs every spring in Canadian hockey montages. After a blockbuster trade to Chicago in 1968 he blossomed into a top line scorer, posting consecutive 30 goal seasons and earning All Star recognition while playing a defensive responsible game that made him a favorite of coach Billy Reay. In 1972-73 he would explode for a career high 41 goals, finishing among the league leaders and cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous right wings of the expansion era. His right handed shot, often described as one of the best in the NHL, is even noted in the cartoon caption on this very card, a charming detail that connects the collectible directly to how contemporaries viewed his talent. This 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee card number 42 is part of the low number series that every collector remembers for its bright orange side panel, vertical CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS and position lettering, and the yellow banner that makes the name pop. The reverse follows the beloved O-Pee-Chee formula with a cartoon vignette praising his shot, a bilingual English and French biography, and a multi season NHL Career Record table that traces his journey from Toronto to Chicago. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with English and French text, not a Topps single language or puzzle back, clearly printed in Canada and highly preferred by Canadian vintage collectors. The front shows pleasing centering at roughly 58/42 top to bottom and 60/40 left to right with all beige borders fully intact, the bright blue background remains clean and saturated, corners are slightly rounded with gentle softness at the top left and bottom right but no bends or folds, edges are largely smooth with only faint chipping to the beige stock that is common to this issue, and the image is sharp with no surface creases, scratches, or print defects. The back presents with consistent light tan toning, the orange border frames the card without fading, and while there is minor edge toning and a tiny handling mark near the lower border, there are no stains, wax residue, pen marks, or creases. The slight off centering and soft corners prevent a mint grade while the absence of major flaws keeps eye appeal strong. A conservative raw grade of EX 5 reflects the honest vintage condition and conservative assessment expected of this issue, making this 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Jim Pappin #42 Chicago Black Hawks a solid mid grade star card that presents beautifully in a collection or vintage display. Grade Estimate: EX 5