CARDBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY - Jacques Laperriere

There are a ton of vintage cards that have no business getting any face time when it comes to its photography.

Blue backgrounds, boring headshots and stoic (or is that sleepy) looks do not make for a good hockey card pic.

But in the mid-90's, amidst the boom of hockey card companies and products, Parkhurst put out a set that gets little recognition, and has some pretty cool looking cards that capture a time that's been all but forgotten in the hobby these days.

1994 Parkhurst
1964/65 Tallboy Set

#161 'Laperriere Wins Race'

Parkhurst released a couple of vintage-style sets in 1994.  The Missing Link set showcases what the cards might have looked like if a 56/57 set were actually released (apparently a set wasn't produced back in 56/57 because of 'market re-evaluation'.... interesting).

The 64/65 tallboy set (showcased above) is a product that emulates what would have been released that year.  Parkhurst decided to stop producing cards after the 63/64 season and it took nearly 30 years before the Parkhurst name was resurrected in the early 90's.

What I really like about this card (which would be sort of an 'In Action' card) is that you really get a sense of the environment and game action.  It truly takes you back to that era of the game.

The shadows dominating the ice surface clearly indicate that the rinks were not built for the benefit of photography (and video for that matter).  The lack of any advertising on the boards is something that looks so foreign nowadays, but boy does it ever look nice).  No helmets, straight sticks, brown leather gloves and tube skates are all something the vintage admirer drools over.

But how about that pretzel mask goaltender Charlie Hodge is wearing.  Now that's a thing of beauty.

Not to mention, you have one of the greatest players of the era (and of all time) in Gordie Howe  with his eye on the puck and looking for the chance to strike.

If this card photo were blown up (and the banner removed), you'd have a stunning picture that'd be more than worthy of framing and hanging.

If you're a vintage fan and get a chance to track down one of these sets, take a moment to look at some of the great photography on the cards.  It's well worth the trip down memory lane.