My better half’s Edmonton Oilers collection

n49th · March 2, 2022 10:53AM

Hello,

Just wanted to share this small yet cool vintage Edmonton Oilers collection my wife kept from her youth. They’ve been sitting in a grocery bag for decades, and thought they were overdue for some fresh air.

Absolutely nothing is for sale…just show and tell.

Although her cards are long gone, she distinctly remembered 2 or 3 pack pulled Gretzky OPC rookies.

As with all major sports in the early 80’s, the players were super accessible for autographs, especially for kids.

Here are a few of the better items she acquired in person back in the day.

The 8x10 of Gretzky with the pucks is from 1981 after his first career 5 goal game. It is an original from the Oilers team photographer and Gretzky’s personal photographer Bob Mummery (studio stamp on the back). Won’t say it’s one of a kind, but I haven’t seen another one like it.

As you can see, the “Amazing Oilers” 81-82 yearbook is signed by 5 of the 7 dynasty Oiler HOFers…just missing Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson. I joked that we should get those two to sign to complete the club, but was quickly shot down. It wouldn’t be the same to have them sign 40 years later, and she was exactly right!

The old school autograph book is neat. This was at the height of the Islanders dynasty, and she recalled most of the big names were very approachable as they stepped off the team bus. She did say that Billy Smith was not a willing signer.

Overall, just a great memory for her from a simpler time.