Shaking Up Hobby History

Shaking Up Hobby History. Remember the good old days when we thought certain hockey cards were from one year, only to find out they were actually from another? Yeah, it’s been 16 years and counting since we realized that some 1934-35 O-Pee-Chee Series B hockey cards were actually from 1933-34. But guess what? Many collectors and sellers still haven’t caught on to this change, even today!

The Confusion Unraveled

Back in the day, everyone thought the 1930s O-Pee-Chee hockey release was divided into five alphabetical series from 1933 to 1938. Easy, right? But it turns out, two of the series, A and B, were released in the same season of 1933-34, not over multiple years as originally assumed. This little mix-up went unnoticed for a while because, let’s face it, early price guides and such didn’t catch it.

The Big Revelation

The truth finally came to light in 2008 when an article in Canadian Sports Collector magazine revealed a new wrapper find for the true 1933-34 O-Pee-Chee Series B. This wrapper had a hockey board game and a card album premium printed on it, proving its authenticity. That’s when we realized that the previously assumed 1934-35 Series B cards were actually from 1933-34.

The Impact Today

Despite this correction being made public, it seems like many folks in the hobby still haven’t heard about it. And that’s a big deal because it affects the rookie cards associated with Series B. These cards are now considered rookies, but they’re not getting the recognition they deserve compared to other hockey card issues from 1933-34.

Let’s dive deeper into the history of hockey cards and how this mix-up came about.

The Rise of Hockey Cards

Back in 1933-34, during the tail end of the Depression, four Canadian gum companies – Canadian Chewing Gum, Hamilton Gum, O-Pee-Chee Gum, and World Wide Gum – jumped into the hockey card game. They were the first to package cards with gum, and it was a game-changer.

The Gum Wars

It’s unlikely that all four companies just happened to decide to make hockey cards in the same year. More likely, a savvy salesperson from a printing firm pitched the idea to each of them, warning them not to miss out on the trend. And the rest is history.

The Card Releases

Collectors could form NHL team names with these letters and score a free “Home Hockey Game” from the company.

Hamilton Chewing Gum followed with a set of 21 NHL player cards, but it seems like their effort was a bit rushed and last-minute.

Then there’s World Wide Gum, who released a whopping 72-card NHL player set. They even offered a mail-away premium for wrappers, giving collectors a chance to snag a cool hockey player image.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it – a whirlwind journey through the world of hockey cards and how a little mix-up changed hobby history. It’s a reminder that even in the world of collecting, things aren’t always as they seem.