1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rod Gilbert #123 New York Rangers (EX-MT 6)

Description

1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rod Gilbert #123 New York Rangers (EX-MT 6) Celebrate the ultimate icon of Broadway hockey with this phenomenal 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Rod Gilbert #123 original vintage card. For serious hockey card collectors and passionate New York Rangers fans, Rod Gilbert is an essential cornerstone name for any high-end historical collection. Known affectionately as "Mr. Ranger," Gilbert was the heart, soul, and premier scoring threat for the franchise across three decades. This stunning card encapsulates his legendary playing era, utilizing the distinct, vibrant blue and green oval framing and bold retro typography that makes the 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee set one of the most aesthetically celebrated sports card releases of all time. Rod Gilbert's legacy in New York is completely unmatched. As the right winger for the famous "Goal-A-Game Line," Gilbert electrified the Madison Square Garden faithful with his explosive speed and deadly accurate shot. He was the very first player in New York Rangers franchise history to have his jersey number (7) raised to the rafters. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982, Gilbert finished his incredible career with 1,021 points, all scored while proudly wearing the Rangers sweater. This specific card was produced during his absolute prime, a season in which he helped guide the Blueshirts all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, making it a true piece of sports history. A direct visual assessment of this star card confirms its highly collectable, excellently preserved state. The front side displays flawless picture clarity, capturing Gilbert's portrait with rich skin tones and bright, unblemished background coloration. The technical Condition Report shows that the corners are strong and sharp, displaying only microscopic touches of wear on the very tips. The edges are clean and straight with virtually no rough cutting from the factory blades. Front centering is remarkably well-executed for this tough vintage issue, sitting at an impressive 55/45 left-to-right alignment. The reverse side features the classic O-Pee-Chee bilingual back design, offering career details and statistics in both English and French. The rear card stock is wonderfully bright and clean, showing zero signs of wax staining, print defects, or ink marks, yielding a confident raw Grade Estimate of EX-MT 6. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6