Description
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee
Jean Beliveau #263 Retirees Montreal Canadiens VG 3
Celebrate the legendary career of "Le Gros Bill" with this iconic 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Jean Beliveau #263 retirement tribute!
This card is a cornerstone of hockey history, marking the final professional appearance of Jean Beliveau in an O-Pee-Chee set. Released just after his 1971 retirement, this "Retirees" special commemorates a man who personified class and dominance for the Montreal Canadiens. While American collectors only received a smaller Topps set that year, Canadian fans were treated to this expanded OPC checklist, making this bilingual retirement card a must-have for serious vintage enthusiasts.
Player Legacy & Card History
Jean Beliveau was the heart and soul of the Canadiens' dynasty, winning an incredible 10 Stanley Cups as a player (and another 7 as an executive). This card highlights his record-breaking tenure as the highest-scoring center in NHL history at the time of his departure. The 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee set is famous for its vibrant "puck" design and is notoriously difficult to find in high grades due to the "rough-cut" edges produced by the O-Pee-Chee cutting wires in London, Ontario.
Jean Beliveau was the heart and soul of the Canadiens' dynasty, winning an incredible 10 Stanley Cups as a player (and another 7 as an executive). This card highlights his record-breaking tenure as the highest-scoring center in NHL history at the time of his departure. The 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee set is famous for its vibrant "puck" design and is notoriously difficult to find in high grades due to the "rough-cut" edges produced by the O-Pee-Chee cutting wires in London, Ontario.
Condition Report
This specimen captures the authentic "well-loved" feel of a 50-year-old classic.
This specimen captures the authentic "well-loved" feel of a 50-year-old classic.
- Centering: The front is shifted slightly toward the top-right, while the reverse is quite well-aligned within the green borders.
- Corners: All four corners show significant rounding and softening, consistent with a VG-grade vintage card.
- Edges: Features the classic O-Pee-Chee rough-cut edges. There is a visible minor nick/indentation on the left edge (viewed from the back) and the bottom edge.
- Surface: The O-Pee-Chee bilingual back is fully intact, featuring the career tribute in both English and French. There is a horizontal surface wrinkle or light crease visible across the center-left of the back, and some light age-toning typical for this card stock.
Grade Estimate:
VG 3
(A solid, authentic mid-grade example. The softening corners and horizontal surface wrinkle on the reverse prevent a higher technical grade, but the card maintains great eye appeal and "Le Gros Bill's" image remains clear and vibrant).
(A solid, authentic mid-grade example. The softening corners and horizontal surface wrinkle on the reverse prevent a higher technical grade, but the card maintains great eye appeal and "Le Gros Bill's" image remains clear and vibrant).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.