1968 O-Pee-Chee Alan Ford #88 Saskatchewan Roughriders (FAIR) Vintage CFL Card

Expand your vintage football portfolio with this second original example of the 1968 O-Pee-Chee Alan Ford #88 trading card. This card highlights the exceptional hometown hero Alan Ford during his highly successful playing days with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. While duplicate cards are great for set progression, this specific raw specimen has seen significant wear over the decades, displaying deep creases and heavy surface stress from childhood play. Even with heavy wrinkles running through the cardboard stock, it stands out as an affordable option for collectors hunting for real regional tokens of Western CFL history without needing to invest in pristine, high-end gallery items.

This original Canadian-printed card features the classic 1968 design template, showcasing a color photo of Ford on the front alongside a distinct blue-and-white position shield. The back features the legendary O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, utilizing side-by-side English and French text blocks to detail his athletic journey. This dual-language presentation remains one of the most beloved features of Canadian vintage card collecting, offering an authentic glimpse into the unique marketing and cultural history of sports memorabilia within the country.

Throughout his playing days, Alan Ford was celebrated as the ultimate team player, routinely changing games with his accurate punting and lockdown pass coverage. Having received an athletic scholarship to the University of the Pacific, he brought elite refined skills back to Regina, quickly turning into a reliable double-threat weapon. The historical cartoon on the back delightfully notes his roots at Central Collegiate, providing a wonderful connection to his early days before he became the mastermind behind the Roughriders' front office during their championship years.

Condition Report:
A revised visual inspection of this duplicate Alan Ford card reveals that it has sustained significant condition issues. The front surface features prominent creases and deep wrinkling that run visibly across the main image area, breaking the cardstock glaze. The corners are heavily softened, showing distinct rounding and structural paper layering from years of handling. The borders show substantial chipping and edge wear lines. Centering remains relatively stable but is heavily overshadowed by the mechanical condition issues. On the reverse side, the bilingual text and green graphics are compromised by corresponding crease stress fractures across the paper backing.

Grade Estimate:
FAIR 1.0