List of O-Pee-Chee Sports Cards Sets

In 1965, the O-Pee-Chee produced a licensed version of the American Topps set of that year, but it only issued cards 1- 283, instead of the full 598 card Topps set. They continued to produce smaller versions of the Topps sets for the rest of the decade. The primary difference with the O-Pee-Chee sets is the 'Printed in Canada' statement on the reverse. The copyright line shows T.C.G, and did so until 1972 when it changed to O.P.C. The 1969 O-Pee-Chee set included the company's logo on the reverse and used a dark red ink as opposed to the pink ink on the Topps cards.

In the 1970s, O-Pee-Chee produced a licensed version of the American Topps sets throughout the decade. The Canadian printed O-Pee-Chee cards tended to be printed on lighter grey cardstock and often included traded lines on the front of the cards. In 1970, due to Canadian law, the cards were modified to include both French and English text in which case T.C.G was replaced by O.P.C. in the copyright line. The first four series of the 1971 set(1-523) featured French and English card backs, while the 5th and 6th series reverted to the English-only back of their Topps counterpart. The 1971 set also had several cards unique to the Canadian issue, including cards with trade lines on the front, and extra Expo player cards that resulted in the O Pee Chee set substituting Ron Hunt for Topps' #161 Coin Checklist,Claude Raymond for Topps' #202 Reds Celebrate, and Rusty Staub for Topps' White Sox Team Card. In 1977 different photos were used on some of the cards. Other variations include yellow backs in 1971 and 1974 rather than green used by Topps. From 1973 until 1975, the number of cards in both the Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets were identical.

Baseball

Early issues

1937 OPC V300 40 cards Size: 2-5/8 X 2-15/16 The players in the set were all from the American League. The information on the back was in both English and French. The cards were foldable to create a stand-up of the black and white action photo which was in front of a ballpark setting.
1960 OPC Tattoos This set was just like its Topps relative and was identifiable by its wrapper.

1960s
Year Set Type Quantity Size (in.)
1965 O-Pee-Chee Base 283 2.5 × 3.5 
1966 O-Pee-Chee Base 196 2.5 × 3.5 
1967 O-Pee-Chee Base 196 2.5 × 3.5 
1968 O-Pee-Chee Base 196 2.5 × 3.5 
Posters Insert 32 2.5 × 3.5 
1969 O-Pee-Chee Base 218 2.5 × 3.5 
Deckle Edge Insert 24 2.25 × 3.25 

1970s
Year Set Type Quantity Size(in.)
1970 OPC Base 546 2.5 × 3.5 
1971 OPC Base 752 2.5 × 3.5 
1972 OPC Base 525 2.5 × 3.5 
1973 OPC Base 660 2.5 × 3.5 
Blue Team Checklists Insert 24 2.5 × 3.5 
1974 OPC Base 660 2.5 × 3.5 
Red Team Checklists Insert 24 2.5 × 3.5 
1975 OPC Base 660 2.5 × 3.5 
1976 OPC Base 660 2.5 × 3.5 
1977 OPC Base 264 2.5 × 3.5 
1978 OPC Base 242 2.5 × 3.5 
1979 OPC Base 264 2.5 × 3.5 

The 1973-1976 OPC and Topps sets all contained 660 cards and were nearly identical in 1973, 1975, and 1976. The 1974 OPC set included 9 Hank Aaron tribute cards (1-9) versus the 6 in the Topps set. Three cards were eliminated from the OPC set, including Jim Fregosi, to make room for the extra Aaron cards and Topps cards 7, 8, and 9 were moved to later in the set. Bilingual text was limited to the backs of the cards in these years.

In 1977, the OPC set was cut to 264 cards, versus 660 in Topps. OPC also started documenting offseason trades and free agent signings in a way Topps did not, a pattern that would continue from that point forward. In 1977, OPC replaced the cards of several players who switched teams with new photos in their new uniforms. This was possible because OPC cards were issued later than the Topps set.

The 1977 set also included several additional Blue Jays and Expos cards (including separate cards for the manager and the coaches). The Blue Jays were a new expansion team in 1977 and many of their players were depicted on Rookie cards (with 4 players per card) in the Topps set. Most of those players got their own cards in OPC. Notably, one of the Rookie cards cut from OPC to give a Blue Jay his own card was the first card for Andre Dawson of the Expos. His first OPC card would not come until 1978.

The 1978 and 1979 OPC sets were also smaller than those produced by Topps. Players who switched teams had the same (or similar) photo as in the Topps set, but the borders and banners were changed to their new team and a note was printed somewhere on the photo to record the date and type of transaction. In these cases, the player appeared in the uniform of his former team (with no additional airbrushing).

1980s

Year/Set/Quantity/Size

  • 1980 O-Pee-Chee (374) Standard
  • 1980 OPC Hunt's Bread (#) Standard
  • 1981 O-Pee-Chee (374) Standard
  • 1981 OPC Posters (24) ​4 7⁄8 x ​6 7⁄8 in.
  • 1982 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1982 OPC Posters (24) ​4 7⁄8 x ​6 7⁄8 in.
  • 1982 OPC Stickers (260) ​1 15⁄16 × ​2 9⁄16 in.
  • 1983 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1983 OPC Stickers (330) ​1 15⁄16 × ​2 9⁄16 in.
  • 1984 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1984 OPC Stickers (386) ​1 15⁄16 × ​2 9⁄16 in.
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1985 OPC Posters (24) ​4 7⁄8 x ​6 7⁄8 in.
  • 1985 OPC Stickers (376) 2⅛ × 3 in.
  • 1986 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1986 OPC Box Bottoms (16) Standard (when cut)
  • 1986 OPC Stickers (315) 2⅛ × 3 in.
  • 1986 OPC Tattoos (24) ​3 7⁄16 × 14 in.
  • 1987 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1987 OPC Box Bottoms (8) Standard (when cut)
  • 1987 OPC Stickers (313) 2⅛ × 3 in.
  • 1988 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1988 OPC Box Bottoms (16) Standard (when cut)
  • 1988 OPC Stickers (313) 2⅛ × 3 in.
  • 1989 O-Pee-Chee (396) Standard
  • 1989 OPC Box Bottoms (16) Standard (when cut)
  • 1989 OPC Stickers (326) 2⅛ × 3 in.

Base set

In 1990 O-Pee-Chee printed a set virtually identical to the 792 card Topps set complete with the Topps logo. The only differences between the two are the bilingual reverse sides and the copyright line. The majority of the cards were printed on grey cardstock, similar to that used by Topps for its American issue. The less abundant variation are cards printed on a thinner white cardstock. The latter cards tend to command a premium, as they were distributed at about a 1:5 ratio compared to the former ones. Subsets include Nolan Ryan Salute, Record Breakers, Turn Back The Clock, All-Stars, First Draft Picks, Checklists, and Manager cards. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.[1] For the third straight year, O-Pee-Chee printed a 792 card set virtually identical to the year's Topps set. Unlike the previous two years, the Topps branding was not present and was replaced by an O-Pee-Chee logo on the cards. One significant difference was the Canadian set did not include All Star cards. In their stead were a Gary Carter tribute subset and cards of players who did not appear in the American set including a rookie card of Moisés Alou.The set was available for purchase in individual packages or as a complete factory set. It also marked the final year for the company producing a baseball set of the same basic design as the Topps set. Size: 2½ × 3½ in. Canadianized versions of the Topps Wax Box Cards were also produced. The cards were printed one per box on the bottom of the wax pack boxes. The four different box bottoms feature the four division winning teams and have highlights on the back in English and French. Size: 5 × 7 in. when individually cut out. The Premier set totals 198 cards and was issued in wax packs or factory sets. The cards feature English/French text and color player photos on front and back. Size: 2½ × 3½ in. The "Box Bottom" cards were featured 4 to a box on the bottom of the wax pack boxes of cards of which there were 4 different boxes for a total of 16 cards. They resemble the base cards except for having a career milestones on the back instead of full statistics. The set is lettered A-P rather than numbered. Size: 2½ × 3½ in. when individually cut out.[1]

1991 O-Pee-Chee Premier Gary Gaetti

In 1991 a similar base set was published. The major differences between the two sets, other than the white cardstock, similar to that used by the boxed Topps Traded sets, are the bilingual reverse sides and the copyright line. Several cards included traded lines which did not appear in the American set. Size: 2½ × 3½ in. Canadianized versions of the Topps Wax Box Cardsa and OPC Premier cards were also produced (as above).

In 1993, the base set totals 396 cards and was issued in wax packs. Subsets include traded players and Checklist cards. The cards bilingual English and French text. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

World Champions

This set has 18 total cards and was issued as an insert in 1993 O-Pee-Chee wax packs. They feature the 1992 World Champion Toronto Blue Jays team. Size: 2½ × 3½

World Series Heroes

This set totals 4 cards and was issued as an insert in 1993 O-Pee-Chee wax packs. The cards feature key players and their World Series highlights are described on the back in English and French. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

OPC Premier

The Premier set totals 132 cards and was issued in foil packs. The cards have a white border and color player photos on front and back. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

Premier Star Performers

This set has 22 cards and were available as inserts in 1993 O-Pee-Chee Premier foil packs. They feature gold borders and bilingual player bios on the back. This set had a parallel foil version with gold stamped set logos. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

Premier Top Draft Picks

This set has 4 cards that were available as inserts in 1993 O-Pee-Chee Premier foil packs. They feature two draft picks each from both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos. Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

Football (Canadian)

1960s

O-Pee-Chee began marketing CFL cards in 1958 with the Topps Company. While cards produced from 1958 to 1960 were printed by Topps in the United States, they were printed by O-Pee-Chee in Canada (with stops and starts) from 1961 to 1972.

  • 1961 O-Pee-Chee 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • 1961 CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm)
  • 1962 O-Pee-Chee 169 cards Size: ​1 1⁄4 × 2.5 in (3.2 × 6.4 cm)
  • 1963 O-Pee-Chee 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • 1964 O-Pee-Chee 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • 1965 O-Pee-Chee 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • 1965 CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm)
  • 1968 O-Pee-Chee CFL 132 cards Size: 2½ × 3½ in.
  • 1968 O-Pee-Chee CFL Poster Inserts 16 posters Size: 5 × 7 in.

1970s

Standard size is 2½ × 3½ in.

  • 1970 O-Pee-Chee CFL 115 cards standard size similar to 1969 Topps NFL
  • 1970 O-Pee-Chee CFL Push-Out Inserts 16 cards standard size
  • 1971 O-Pee-Chee CFL 132 cards standard size
  • 1971 O-Pee-Chee CFL Poster Inserts 16 cards Size:5X7
  • 1972 O-Pee-Chee CFL 132 cards standard size
  • 1972 O-Pee-Chee CFL Trio Sticker Inserts 24 cards

Ice Hockey

Early Issues

1933-34 OPC V304A (48) B/W player photo on colored field of stars. The player's name was in a rectangle on the bottom of the front. The star fields were in either red, blue, orange, or green. The biography on the backs are in English and French. Size: 2-5/16 X 3-9/16 inches.
1933-34 OPC V304B The remaining 24 cards continued in numbering from series A.
1935-36 OPC V304C (24) This series continues its numbering from series B but measure 2-3/8 X 2-7/8 inches. The front design also differed from the previous two series in that it had cartoon style hockey players on either side of the B/W player photo. The different color fields of the background were either green, orange, maroon, or yellow.
1936-37 OPC V304D (36) The D series continued the numbering from the C series but measure 2-3/8 X 2-15/16 inches. This set had no colored background but were foldable in order to make a stand-up.
1937-38 OPC V304E (48) This set is the fifth in the numerical series. The cards featured a serrated border which came in blue or purple. The player photo is B/W and partnered with a facsimile autograph and a small cartoon style silhouette of a hockey player. The player biography on the back is English and French. Size: 2-3/8 X 2-7/8 inches.
1939-40 OPC V301-1 (100) Issued one per cello pack these blank backed cards were numbered on the front in the lower right corner. The player photo was B/W below which was the player's name, team, and position. Size: 5 X 7 inches.
1940-41 OPC V301-2 (50) This set continued in numbering from series 1 and was nearly the same except for being sepia in color.

1960s

O-Pee-Chee formally began marketing NHL cards in 1958 with the Topps Company. While cards produced from 1957-58 to 1960-61 were printed by Topps in the United States, they were printed by O-Pee-Chee in Canada 1961-62 onwards.

  • 1961-62 O-Pee-Chee 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1961-62 Extra Hockey Stamps (52) Insert set
  • 1962-63 O-Pee-Chee 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1962-63 Hockey Bucks (24) Insert set Size: ​4 1⁄16 × ​1 11⁄16 inches
  • 1963-64 O-Pee-Chee 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1964-65 O-Pee-Chee 110 cards Size: ​2 1⁄2 × ​4 11⁄16 inches
  • 1965-66 O-Pee-Chee 128 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1966-67 O-Pee-Chee 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1966-67 USA Test set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • 1967-68 O-Pee-Chee 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • A 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee set also exists
  • A 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee set also exists

Bibliography
  • The 2012 Vintage Hockey Collector's Almanac & Price Guide (2011). Up North Productions.
  • Vintage Hockey Collector's Price Guide (2006). Burrell, Bobby.
  • Charlton Hockey Cards (2006). Trajan Publishing.
  • Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X
  • Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2008). "Beckett Hockey Card Price Guide 18th Edition". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-72-2

References
  1. Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X
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