Description
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee
Phil Esposito #253 All-Star Boston Bruins VG
Relive the historic record-shattering dominance of "Espo" with this 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Phil Esposito #253 All-Star tribute!
This card commemorates what many consider the greatest offensive single-season performance in NHL history. Following his legendary 1970-71 campaign, Phil Esposito became the first player to ever crack the 150-point plateau, finishing with a staggering 76 goals and 152 points for the Boston Bruins. This 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Phil Esposito #253 marks his selection to the First Team All-Star squad, a status he maintained throughout his peak years in Boston. Unlike the standard base issue, this All-Star subset card specifically highlights his record-breaking feats, making it a high-demand piece for HOF collectors and Bruins fans alike.
Player Legacy & Card History
Phil Esposito was the engine behind the "Big Bad Bruins" of the early 1970s. By the time this card was printed in London, Ontario, "Espo" had already secured two Stanley Cups and was in the midst of a run of five Art Ross Trophies. This particular O-Pee-Chee release is highly prized for its vibrant "puck" design and its distinctly Canadian heritage. While Topps produced a similar set, the OPC version remains the gold standard for vintage enthusiasts due to its larger checklist and the bilingual formatting on the reverse.
Phil Esposito was the engine behind the "Big Bad Bruins" of the early 1970s. By the time this card was printed in London, Ontario, "Espo" had already secured two Stanley Cups and was in the midst of a run of five Art Ross Trophies. This particular O-Pee-Chee release is highly prized for its vibrant "puck" design and its distinctly Canadian heritage. While Topps produced a similar set, the OPC version remains the gold standard for vintage enthusiasts due to its larger checklist and the bilingual formatting on the reverse.
Condition Report
This specimen is a solid mid-grade example that captures the authentic character of 50-year-old card stock.
This specimen is a solid mid-grade example that captures the authentic character of 50-year-old card stock.
- Centering: The front displays the common O-Pee-Chee top-right shift, while the reverse is quite well-balanced within the green borders.
- Corners: All four corners exhibit noticeable softening and light rounding consistent with a well-preserved raw vintage card.
- Edges: Shows the characteristic "rough-cut" edges typical of OPC production. There is minor chipping along the purple borders on the front and light shelf wear on the back edges.
- Surface: The O-Pee-Chee bilingual back is crisp and fully legible in both English and French. The surface is free of major creases or pinholes, though minor age-toning and light spotting are present, as is common for this era.
Grade Estimate:
- VG
(A realistic raw estimate. The card maintains excellent eye appeal and vibrant colors, though the corner wear and centering prevent a higher technical grade).
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