Published June 16, 2007
Article Copyright © 2007, Eric Bonnici. All Rights Reserved.

In August 2006 a Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for a record breaking $80,000, becoming the most expensive hockey card in existence at the time. In April 2007 a mint graded 1911-12 C55 Georges Vezina rookie hockey card Shatters the record price ever paid for a hockey card at $100K.

Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player in the history of the NHL, once owned the1909 Honus Wagner, considered to be the holy grail of baseball cards. In February 2007 the Wagner card Gretzky once owned sold for a record setting $2.35 million, the most expensive sports card to date.

Ironically, in August 2006 a 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $80,000, making it the most valuable hockey card in existence at the time. Several months later the April 2007 issue of Beckett Hockey magazine published an artilce titled "The Greatest Card Ever Sold" focusing on the recent record setting $100K sale of a mint graded 1911-12 Georges Vezina hockey rookie card. The Honus Wagner baseball card is the most valuable sports card in history but legendary goalie George Vezina's rookie card is easily the most valuable hockey card to date.

The Georges Vezina rookie card was produced by the Imperial Tobacco company of Canada. Imperial Tobacco was founded on June 11, 1908 in Montreal Quebec where its headquarters are still located. This company is believed to have produced the first set of vintage pre-war hockey cards in history. The first set of cards is know as the 1910-11 C56, the following year a second set that includes the Vezina rookie card was issued and is known as the 1911-12 C55 hockey card set. There are 45 C55 cards in all and these hockey cards are much smaller compared to the standard size of todays cards, measuring approximately 1.5 by 2.5 inches. The Georges Vezina rookie card is the most sought after and valuable hockey card in this set.

Georgez Vezina was signed by the Montreal Canadiens in 1910 after they noticed his outstanding goaltending skills when he played against them in an exhibition hockey game. By the time the first NHL season took place in 1917-18, Vezina was known as the best goalie in the league. Vezina's talent, dedication, and accomplishments, and tragic demise are part of his legendary hockey goaltending status.

In 1916 George Vezina was a part of the Montreal Canadiens' first ever stanley cup championship team. Vezina was also the first goalie to post a shutout in the NHL. Sadly, he passed away from a deadly case of Tuberculosis. Shortly after Vezina's death a memorial trophy named after him was created by the owners of the Canadiens. The trophy named after Vezina was given to the NHL as an award to be presented to the most outstanding goalie each season. We know this NHL Award as the Vezina Trophy. When the Hockey Hall of Fame originated in 1945, George Vezina was one of the very first dozen players to be inducted.

Finding a mint hockey card from the C55 set is not always easy but even the lower grades of 2 or 3, which are more commonly found, command prices up to hundreds of dollars. The Georges Vezina rookie card would be the crown jewel of any hockey card collector's collection. In the years to come it will be interesting to see what the mint graded Vezina rookie will sell for if it ever goes to auction again.

Update: October 25, 2007 - Recently a Newsy Lalonde C56 graded 3 or very good tied the Veznia rookie card for the record of the most ever paid for a hockey card at $100k. Read more about the C56 Newsy Lalonde hockey card here.

About the author:

Eric Bonnici started collecting hockey cards during the 2003-2004 season and quickly realized that things had changed from when he collected as a kid in the early 1980's. So many brands, manufactures, insert sets, subsets, etc. had him confused and overwhelmed. He shares what he has learned through the hockey card related content and articles on his web site. To read more of Eric's hockey card articles or to buy, sell, or trade hockey cards with him visit www.hockeyheadquarters.com .

Article Copyright © 2007, Eric Bonnici. All Rights Reserved.