SOLD 1971 O-Pee-Chee Al Phaneuf #115 Montreal Alouettes

Description

1971 O-Pee-Chee Al Phaneuf #115 Montreal Alouettes Award winning defensive backs anchor championship secondaries, and this 1971 O-Pee-Chee Al Phaneuf #115 Montreal Alouettes card spotlights the 1969 CFL Rookie of the Year in his prime coverage years. Al Phaneuf came to the attention of U. S. pro teams after being directed to Kentucky from an Alouette Canadian camp, where he attracted bona fide interest from AFL and NFL clubs such as Denver, Buffalo, and San Francisco according to the back text, but he chose to star in Montreal where his athleticism and ball skills made him an instant sensation. The cartoon banner on the back declares Al Was 1969 Rookie Of The Year and Al Fut La Recrue De L'Annee En 1969, a rare and collectible achievement note that elevates this card beyond a standard common. Listed as Non Import and Canadien 6 foot 1 and 195 pounds Defensive Halfback and Demi arriere defensif, Phaneuf wore the striking red Alouettes away jersey number 16 captured here against a flawless blue sky background, a color pop that displays beautifully in the red border design. The 1971 O-Pee-Chee CFL issue is prized for its bilingual backs that present full player stories in English and French, preserving a piece of Canadian heritage that Topps never offered. For Montreal Alouettes team set builders, defensive back collectors, or fans of Kentucky Wildcats alumni who made Canada home, Phaneuf is a key name from the early 1970s Alouettes clubs that contended annually. this copy shows excellent eye appeal with vivid blue and red contrast, corners are lightly touched with the top right showing only a pinpoint of white, edges remain clean with minimal chipping for this notoriously fragile red border set, centering is approximately 60 to 40 side to side and 55 to 45 top to bottom, surface gloss is retained with no creases or scratches visible through the protective sleeve, back is a clean example of OPC tan stock with crisp printing. This is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back with English and French text and pink cartoon and Printed In Canada footer. Even with minor corner touches the conservative assessment stays in the excellent range because overall presentation is sharp. Grade Estimate: EX 5