1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Chico Maki #198 Chicago Black Hawks

Description

1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Chico Maki #198 Chicago Black Hawks Celebrate a loyal Stanley Cup champion with this 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Chico Maki #198 Chicago Black Hawks card featuring the dependable right wing who spent his entire career in a Chicago uniform. Chico Maki may not have grabbed the scoring titles, but Hawks historians know his value as a complementary scorer and defensive conscience on lines that featured some of the most talented players of the expansion era, and this vintage O-Pee-Chee issue gives collectors a crisp blue background portrait in the white road sweater that pops beautifully in any vintage hockey display. For team collectors who honor longevity and quiet achievement, Maki is a rewarding name to chase. Chico Maki first earned notice as part of the St. Catharines Teepees powerhouse and later helped Chicago capture the 1961 Stanley Cup, a triumph that remains the centerpiece of his career story. Over more than 800 NHL games, all with Chicago, he twice reached the 20 goal plateau and was known for playing a responsible two way game that allowed coach Billy Reay to trust him in late game situations. The 1971-72 season tested his durability as injuries slowed him after several productive campaigns, yet the biography on the reverse notes his hopes to rebound and rejoin the 20 goal form he had shown in two separate seasons, a narrative that gives this card historical texture. Japanese Canadian fans also recognize the Maki family as trailblazers, with Chico and his brother Ronald representing early success for players of Japanese descent in the NHL. This 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee card number 198 is located in the high middle series and carries all the hallmarks of the set, the vertical CHI BLACK HAWKS lettering, yellow name banner with team chief logo, and the cartoon panel at upper left that is a signature of this issue. The reverse is packed with collector detail including vital statistics, bilingual English and French commentary, and a comprehensive NHL Career Record that charts his consistent production from the early sixties through the early seventies. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with English and French text, not a Topps single language or puzzle back, with PRINTED IN CANADA along the bottom edge confirming its Canadian origin. The front presents with neat centering close to 58/42 top to bottom and 60/40 left to right with fully visible beige borders, corners are pointy with only the faintest rub at the top right and bottom left, edges show minimal chipping and remain straight with no dings, and the surface is clean without creases, wrinkles, or print defects, retaining good gloss and sharp facial detail. The back shows light even toning with strong orange and black inks, the white statistical table is clean and legible, and there are no stains, writing, or wax transfer, with only light edge handling that is magnified by the sleeve but does not detract from eye appeal. No bends or surface indentations are present when viewed at an angle. The slight centering variance and micro corner touch are the only factors holding this from a higher mint assessment while overall presentation is excellent. A conservative raw grade of EX 5 to EX-MT 6 is appropriate with EX 5 chosen to stay conservative, making this 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee Chico Maki #198 Chicago Black Hawks an ideal solid mid grade addition for fans of the long time Hawk and Original Six era collectors. Grade Estimate: EX 5