Upper Deck's first set of hockey cards is a nearly perfect debut set of sports cards. Classic UD minimalist design with no clutter, double-sided semi-gloss finish, and great full-color photos on both sides.

The 1990-91 base set was released in two parts: cards #1-400 ahead of the season (informally called the "low series"), and a "High Series" later in the season with #401-550. It was in this latter product that one of Upper Deck's rarest error cards showed up:

1990-91 UD #496 - Patrick Roy, All-star Skills Competition

It's missing the Wales Conference name on the bottom of the card. It's nearly unfathomable a card face so simple could pass the eyes of Upper Deck staff unnoticed. It was *immediately* corrected. There were very few of these, so master set builders, take notice. High Series packs didn't spend much time on the sales shelves.

The condition is Very Good. A higher grade is unlikely due to the slightest discoloration at one corner, and to the degree it is off-center. I will include a FREE pack of 1990-91 Upper Deck High Series for the buyer of this card.

It has the "'90" UD hologram, for those who sort Upper Deck by the foil they used in those first few sports card sets.

° ° °

This Roy card had one sibling error, also missing an entire line the "Wales Conference" line — a glaring mistake to overlook on a luminary's card. But when your QC B-Team is clocked in, one error is less common than two. Roy makes one, and #498, Paul Coffey, makes two. I have the Coffey error card listed separately and would be glad to make a deal for both.

Only a handful of players ever retired with the prestige of Patrick Roy:

— 4x Stanley Cup Champions,

— 3x Vezina Winner

— 1st ballot Hall of Fame inductees.

— his #33 is retired by both the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche.