1970 O-Pee-Chee Gene Lakusiak #66 Winnipeg Blue Bombers G 2

Description

1970 O-Pee-Chee Gene Lakusiak #66 Winnipeg Blue Bombers G 2 Secure this authentic 1970 O-Pee-Chee Gene Lakusiak #66 Winnipeg Blue Bombers G 2 card, a vintage Canadian Football League cornerstone that tells the story of one of Winnipegs most dependable Canadian fullbacks even as it carries an honest crease that collectors should note and price accordingly. The historical backdrop makes this card essential, as the 1970 O-Pee-Chee CFL set is the definitive 115 card Canadian exclusive that shared its vibrant front photography with the American Topps issue yet stood apart with its unmistakable Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, printed in Canada on black stock with full English and French biographies, height and weight and university details, and the charming lime green cartoon strip that has become iconic for the issue, a short printed regional set that is far scarcer than its American counterpart and that forms the backbone of any serious vintage CFL collection. Gene Lakusiak is a perfect subject for that set, the University of Tulsa Hurricane who measures six feet one inch and 215 pounds and who arrived in Winnipeg via a trade from the Ottawa Rough Riders, with the back biography noting the Bombers staff has high hopes for this effective rusher, hopes he fulfilled from 1968 to 1974 by becoming a two time Western Division All Star in 1972 and 1973 and the clubs Most Outstanding Canadian in 1973, celebrated for his tough interior running, reliable hands and early career versatility as a defensive back as well as a fullback, a true prairie workhorse whose number 31 white jersey and gold pants in the front photo against the open Winnipeg Stadium bowl capture the clean, sunlit aesthetic that makes 1970 O-Pee-Chee so visually appealing. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with the green cartoon reading GENE WAS TRADED FROM OTTAWA and GENE ECHANGE PAR OTTAWA, confirming its authentic printed in Canada pedigree and its appeal to bilingual back specialists. Collectors pursuing a Gene Lakusiak player collection, a Winnipeg Blue Bombers team set or a budget friendly example of this important card will appreciate the opportunity to own this copy with eyes open about its flaw, as this 1970 O-Pee-Chee Gene Lakusiak #66 Winnipeg Blue Bombers G 2 example offers strong display appeal from a distance while being accurately represented for its condition. The front retains decent color and gloss with centering at about 52/48 left to right and 55/45 top to bottom, corners show light softening with minor whitening, edge chipping is minimal along the borders, but a distinct long crease is visible running across the surface that breaks the gloss and is visible on both front and back under angled light, with a corresponding wrinkle on the black stock of the reverse, and while the green cartoon box and bilingual text remain fully legible and no additional tears are present, the crease is a major defect that limits the card to a conservative Good 2 grade for accurate representation despite otherwise presentable eye appeal. Grade Estimate: GOOD