When I was a kid, you weren't 'cool' and you weren't 'in' unless you had one of these.
O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Locker
These lockers were a precursor to the monster boxes that are out there today. These classic cardboard containers were stacked 5-6 high in my closet as a kid. One for every year of my collection.
You could get these by saving the wax wrappers and sending them off (with a few bucks to OPC and they would fire one of these babies off to you.
I love how it has a little section for your name and address. Then everyone knows where your awesome collection resides.
Split into conferences, divisions and teams, they were a fantastic way to quickly sort and save your cards.
That said, I was so rough with my card lockers that the cards inside were thrashed...but I didn't care. What was all the fuss about condition. That's crazy talk.
Sadly, all of my card lockers eventually found their way to the trash when I got out of card collecting in the late 80's.
This locker is one that I purchased at a flea market a number of years ago. I couldn't believe the condition of it. And at $10, I thought it was a steal.
Unfortunately, it's one of the later releases of the locker (as noted by the addition of the Tampa Bay Lightning).
Still, a very cool trip down memory lane for me.
Interesting. I had no idea they continued to make them for that long! I had a couple from the early 80s...one had the colorado rockies and i believe the jets were in the 'norris' division. the other has the new jersey devils a year or so later after the rockies move...still have that one. just kind of assumed they stopped making them.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. At least it has the Hartford Whalers, Minnesota North Stars, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets.
ReplyDeleteI want one of these!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what these looked like. I would have LOVED these as a kid. Hell, I'd love one now.
ReplyDeleteto the anonymous commenter...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comment and am not too sure as to what the 'going rate on these boxes are. As mentioned, I picked mine up for $10 and thought that was a sweet deal.
It would all depend on the condition of the card box and what kind of environment you put the item into when selling. For example, a hockey hotbed like Toronto or Detroit might garner more interest than say San Diego.
Check ebay's completed auctions (located in the advanced search section) and it might give you more of an idea for price as well.
Sorry, but I won't allow your e-mail to appear on my blog as I just don't know who you are. I hope you understand.
Thanks again for your comment.
I have the mid 80's version! I still have it and it's in top condition with cards still inside. I have a boatload of cards from the 80's and 90's, but I thought I was the only one that remembered it until I Googled it..though..what is the actual box called..it took me a while using key words like cardboard hockey locker o'pee chee.
ReplyDeleteI had the early 80's version in mint shape with the complete set of 80/81. Sold it for 10$ about 20 years ago...doh!!
ReplyDeletethis is soo cool
ReplyDeleteWish I still had mine from the 1979-80 season. Had the Nordiques, Jets, Whalers and Oilers compartments along with the Atlanta Flames.
ReplyDeletedo you think i can find a box like it for nhl 1991-92 year cards ???
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if they made them into the 90's. I don't believe so.
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