22 BECK E T T.COM
CHASING THE CUP
- 1992-93
Kellogg’s #1
Typically, trophy cards are
produced as a subset or a
throw-in. is time around
though, they were the entire
focus of the cereal-premium
set, which speaks volumes
about the appeal of the
NHL’s most coveted hard-
ware. e Cup is featured on
the fi rst card in the set and is the most desirable.
- 1977-79
Sportscasters
#40-24
Although we inten-
tionally chose to forgo
cards that were Cup-
themed, or showed
players with the Cup,
this single was granted
an exemption. First and
foremost, the title of the
card from this massive
subscription-only set makes it clear its purpose is to
highlight the hardware. So even though it is accom-
panied by Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famers Serge
Savard and Yvon Cournoyer as they celebrate the team’s
1977 title, this vintage image of the Cup on on a fl ower-
covered parade fl oat is a classic that belongs in every
collection. And don’t forget, there’s an incredibly scarce
Finnish language version out there as well.
- 2011-12 Panini
Molson #NNO
Each of the singles in this 92-card
promotional series features an image
of the Cup augmented by the logo
of the team that won it during a par-
ticular season. With the banner-like
trim and the faux-Dufex coating, it’s
a sharp-looking collection, but this
instant winner single featuring just
the Cup is the nicest of the bunch ...
and by far the toughest to acquire.
- 2015-16 OPC #618
Upper Deck shot a bit wide of the
mark with this attempt at a vintage-
feeling design –though to be fair, my
house featured a shag carpet this shade
of green when I was growing up –
but the scarcity makes this Cup card
noteworthy. A short print, this single
was found one per case. at’s tough
enough to keep the value high, but
not so tough that it’s impossible to
acquire, ensuring it remains hotly pur-
sued by set builders three years later.
- 1974-75 OPC #250
is is basically the cardboard
equivalent of bell bottoms and
sideburns. Heck, it might just be the
apogee of ‘70s design, what with the
star-spangled border treatment and
I
ts allure verges on the mystical. Touching it
can bring grown men to tears. Others are
rendered speechless in its presence.
e Stanley Cup is more than a trophy. It’s
the embodiment of everything that’s good about
the game. at’s why hockey collectors are
enchanted by its image on cardboard.
While its instantly recognizable silhouette has
become a staple of card design, the Cup itself has
been featured on a number of popular cards over
the years. Here’s a list of the 10 greatest to focus on
the old mug.