1972 O-Pee-Chee Peter Dalla Riva #17 Montreal Alouettes

Description

1972 O-Pee-Chee Peter Dalla Riva #17 Montreal Alouettes Star power radiates from this single, because Peter Dalla Riva ranks among the most beloved receivers in Montreal Alouettes history, and collectors pursuing a 1972 O-Pee-Chee Peter Dalla Riva #17 Montreal Alouettes card are chasing the player whose clutch hands helped seal one of the most famous Grey Cup finishes of all time. The 1972 O-Pee-Chee CFL set, produced in London, Ontario as a 132-card homage to the league, frames its Alouettes stars beneath the powder-blue team banner, and Della Riva's portrait shows him in the green jersey with the numeral 74 during his athletic prime. The horizontal blue-bordered reverse pairs the green stats box and cartoon with twin English and French narrative panels, the hallmark of the Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back that distinguishes true Canadian printings from American counterparts. The card text calls him probably the best at his position in the CFL, a clutch catcher and capable blocker, and notes his Italian birth and Hamilton residency, details that made him one of the league's most compelling immigrant success stories. Dalla Riva's legend rests on his celebrated touchdown reception from Sonny Wade in the mud-soaked 1970 Grey Cup victory over Calgary, the catch that closed out the game and etched his name into Canadian football folklore, and he went on to further Grey Cup triumphs and All-Star recognition while spending his entire career in Montreal. For collectors, his 1972 O-Pee-Chee card is one of the marquee Alouettes singles of the set, demanded early by team-block builders and Montreal memorabilia collectors alike, and clean raw examples with bright gloss and legible bilingual backs command respectful premiums over common roster cards. corners appear sharp with only the faintest wear at the top left tip, edges are clean with negligible chipping, and centering measures approximately 50/50 left to right and 55/45 top to bottom, an attractive placement for the issue. The reverse shows light even toning on the tan paper without stains, creases, wrinkles, or print marks, and the front gloss survives bright and unscratched under the sleeve. The card is a Canadian O-Pee-Chee bilingual back, not a puzzle back, with both language panels crisp. Given the sharp corners and tight centering, a conservative raw grade of EX-MT 6 is well supported, and cautious sellers quoting EX 5 would still find buyers eager for this star-level single. Grade Estimate: EX-MT 6