1950-1959 Hockey Cards

After a down decade in the 1940s, the 1950s hockey cards saw a resurgence. Parkhurst and Topps both released full-color products during this period. The early 1950s cards from Parkhurst, particularly 1951-52 Parkhurst, feature some of the most valuable and popular hockey cards in existence.

The top overall rookie options from 1950-1959 hockey card sets include Gordie Howe and Maurice “Rocket” Richard. Both rookie cards are found in 1951-52 Parkhurst. Other top rookies from the decade include Doug Harvey, Tim Horton, Dickie Moore, Jean Beliveau, Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante, Frank Mahovlich, and Bobby Hull.

1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey Cards

With competition from Topps for the first time, 1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey features lots of colorful action images and a 100-card checklist. The key rookie in the set is legendary goaltender, Johnny Bower.

Product Details

1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey had competition for the first time in its history. Topps issued a set of hockey cards that only featured players from the four American NHL teams. Unlike later years, the two companies did not split the teams, as Parkhurst focused on each squad in its own set. In addition, they spotlighted All-Star players, action photos and even featured variation backs.

The front of 1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey base cards show a game-action picture of a player along with a facsimile autograph. A red box in the upper-right corner contains a card number. The only other feature is the white border that surrounds the card. Backs feature two different versions. The regular back is vertically oriented and has the player's name, team and position running along the top, with a line of statistics from the previous season following that. The rest of the card is essentially divided into two parts. The first part leads off with vital stats and then gives a short biography of the player. A black box then details a send-in offer for an album that holds the complete set. The second part is a French translation of the first, including the offer in the black box. Cards 1 through 88 can also be found with one of three Lucky Premium backs that can be redeemed for gifts or a catalog. Though the premium backs are scarcer, there is no added value to either version.

Cards 89 through 100 in 1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey feature action shots, and have no autographs on the front. They also have a bilingual description of the action on the backs. All-Star players are given a solid white background on their cards, as well as a star in the upper left corner. A red star indicates that player was a first-team All-Star, and a blue star is for the second-team unit.

The main rookie in 1954-55 Parkhurst Hockey is Johnny Bower, whose name is incorrectly spelled on the back. Since this was never corrected, there is no added value to the error. In the action subset, a card of Jacques Plante is featured, which predates his official rookie card by one year. collectors.

How We Grade:

Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. 

Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. 

Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. 

Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks.

Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. 

Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. 

Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. 

Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. 

We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund.

Standard/Combined 1st Class Shipping via USPS is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card, with a max. of (40) items per invoice. Subject to change as postal rates continue to increase. Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase. Please see shipping tab for current postage rates. All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes.

Please see all of our other ads & visit our store for some great deals on both New & Vintage cards, comics and more.

Get your copy of the DC Rebirth or the All New, All Different Marvel Series before they are gone!

Yes! We are always buying & accepting consignments.

We are trying to establish a Brand and grow our business within the E-bay cyber world, so please Join/Follow us, you never know what we will list next, because:

We are: The Toy Collector 4 U 2 C