The First Die-Cut Hockey Cards

If you collected sports cards in the '90s like I did as a kid, you're certainly familiar with the concept of die-cut cards.  What you may not know though is that the very first major hockey card release to include die-cut cards came all the way back in the 1930s!

O-Pee-Chee's fourth series of hockey cards, printed up for the 1936-37 season, were die-cut around the upper half of each subject, so the player could be "punched out" and the upper part of the background folded back to allow the card to stand.  You can click the picture above for a larger scan to see what I'm describing if it's too difficult to make out here.

As you'd imagine, these aren't exactly the most common hockey cards to come by given their age and scarcity.  I'm grateful that I was able to add this example to my collection, which due to its poor grade I was able to secure for less than $30.  While I wasn't familiar with defenseman Bill McKenzie at all when I picked the card up, I was mostly just excited to add any card from this release to my hockey collection, and even more so a Montreal Maroon card!  As a huge fan of franchises from professional sports' past, it is really cool to get an authentic Maroons card (they were in the NHL from 1924 to 1938, and won two Stanley Cup championships during that time).

Here's a look at the back.  Yeah, card backs prior to the 1950s don't tend to be all that exciting, I know.  I think there might be some glue residue possibly present, although it's very hard to make out.  It doesn't obscure the write-up if so, but maybe it explains why this card received such a low grade...

...despite looking pretty damn impressive to me, especially for a card that's been around for well over eight decades now.  A more-than-acceptable example of the set for my collection, perfect really!

Well, that's all for tonight.  Cards like this are pretty much the reason why I've all but abandoned buying new stuff via retail or hobby.  Not knocking anyone who enjoys that at all, to each his own and I certainly enjoy ripping a pack as much as the next collector.  I just get so much more satisfaction out of the really old stuff, even if it means fewer cards in my collection overall.  I'll sacrifice some excitement in terms of knowing exactly what I bought without the thrill of the unknown that comes with opening a pack or box.

So, what do you think of O-Pee-Chee's effort with their 1936-37 release?  Innovative design with the die-cut move, or not your cup of tea?