Description
1970-71 O-Pee-Chee
Al Smith #87 Pittsburgh Penguins Rookie (VG 3)
Add a gritty, authentic piece of early Penguins history to your collection with this 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee Al Smith #87. While this card shows the honest wear of a 50-year-old collectible, it remains a fantastic "filler" copy of Al Smith's O-Pee-Chee rookie-year issue. Capturing Smith in his classic Pittsburgh gear, this card is a testament to the era of expansion hockey and the tough-as-nails goaltenders who defined it.
The Story of "The Bear"
Al Smith was more than just a netminder; he was a character of the game. Known for his "Suitcase" nickname due to his many stops across the NHL and WHA, Smith found a true home in Pittsburgh during the late 60s and early 70s. This card commemorates his breakout 1969-70 season where he established himself as a reliable NHL starter. For fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, this card represents the foundation of the franchise.
Al Smith was more than just a netminder; he was a character of the game. Known for his "Suitcase" nickname due to his many stops across the NHL and WHA, Smith found a true home in Pittsburgh during the late 60s and early 70s. This card commemorates his breakout 1969-70 season where he established himself as a reliable NHL starter. For fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, this card represents the foundation of the franchise.
Condition Report & Technical Details
This card is a classic mid-to-lower grade example, realistically estimated at VG 3 (Very Good).
This card is a classic mid-to-lower grade example, realistically estimated at VG 3 (Very Good).
- Surface: The front surface shows visible scuffing and light scratches. Most notably, there is a faint horizontal crease extending across the mid-section, which is common for cards from this era that weren't immediately sleeved.
- Corners: All four corners show significant, uniform rounding and some minor softening/layering.
- Edges: The edges show moderate "O-Pee-Chee rough cut" chipping, particularly along the right-hand border.
- Centering: The card has decent eye appeal with centering approximately 65/35 toward the left.
- Reverse: The reverse is a classic O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, featuring career stats and a biographical blurb in both English and French. The back is relatively clean but shows age-appropriate toning.
Grade Estimate: VG 3 (Very Good)
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