1981 O-Pee-Chee OPC Hockey Stickers TTM Project Norm Barnes sends two free signed 8X10's!

MULLINS5 · December 16, 2009 9:30AM

Just what this board needs, another TTM thread.

I want to build a 1981 OPC set of hockey cards, as this is my birth year, but can’t stand the way the regular issue cards look. While building the Bossy set I ran across the 1981 O-Pee-Chee Stickers and absolutely love these! They are short printed as they are a “test” set put out by OPC in order to see if there is a market for hockey stickers. They are not only tough to find in unpeeled NM-MT condition (as they are known for being off-centered, diamond and miscuts) but pretty tough to find altogether.

When building a PSA modern set we usually end up having multiple sets lying around. While looking through people’s TTM threads I remember the fun I had in the ‘90’s while participating in TTM’s. I signed up for the week free trial through StarTiger (thanks Dboneesq) and have begun mailing these extras out to the players. My goal is to have each card signed by the player (approximately 225 of the 269 cards) and to have them each slabbed in PSA’s blue flip. I’ll add the image of each to my set in the registry next to the red flip graded card as I go along.

Also, I will post scans here of the stickers which come back. Some of the addresses are outdated on StarTiger and I had to find where the player is currently working for a mailing address. If anybody would like an address PM me and I will get it to you once the TTM is a success with the player.

Both the graded set and the signed set will most likely take a few years to complete and I look forward to the challenge as well as the fun this will be. I have liquidated my collection to only this project (and unopened wax packs) in order to juggle this with school throughout the year.

12/16/2009 I mailed out 39:

Ken Morrow (12/26/2009, 10 days, SUCCESS)
Guy Lafleur (01/04/2010, 19 days, SUCCESS)
Bob Gainey
Larry Robinson (12/24/2009, 8 days, SUCCESS)
Steve Shutt (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Brian Engblom
Doug Jarvis
Mark Napier
Rejean Houle
Pierre Larouche (12/23/2009, 7 days, SUCCESS)
Rod Langway (found out he works about 10 minutes from my house) (12/23/2009, 7 days, SUCCESS)
Rick Middleton (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Peter McNab
Rogatien Vachon
Brad Park
Dwight Foster (01/02/2010, 17 days, SUCCESS)
Andre Savard
Don Edwards
Bob Sauve (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Tony McKegney
John Van Boxmeer
Derek Smith
Gilbert Perreault (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Mike Rogers
Mark Howe (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Blaine Stoughton (01/02/2010, 17 days, SUCCESS)
Rick Ley
Jordy Douglas
Al Sims
Norm Barnes
Peter Stastny
Robbie Ftorek (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Dan Bouchard
Real Cloutier
Michel Goulet (01/02/2010, 17 days, SUCCESS)
Marc Tardif
Denis Potvin
Clark Gillies (01/02/2010, 17 days, RTS)
Denis Herron (12/24/2009, 8 days, SUCCESS)

12/23/2009 mailed:

Tony Esposito (01/02/2010, 10 days, RETURNED UNSIGNED)
Jari Kurri
Steve Payne (01/04/2010, 19 days, SUCCESS)
Wayne Merrick
St. Croix
Bobby Smith
Don Beaupre
Al MacAdam
Tom McCarthy
Wilf Paiement
Darryl Sittler
Borje Salming
Bill Derlago
Ian Turnbull (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Rick Vaive
Dan Maloney
Laurie Boschman
Pat Hickey
John Anderson (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Denis Savard
Tom Lysiak
Keith Brown
Terry Ruskowski
Bob Murray
John Ogrodnick
Mike Foligno
Reed Larson (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Vaclav Nedomansky (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Jim Korn
Bernie Federko
Mike Liut
Wayne Babych
Blake Dunlop (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Mike Zuke
Jorgen Pettersson
Dave Christian
Dave BabychMorris Lukowich
Norm Dupont
Ron Wilson (01/15/2010, 30 days, SUCCESS)
Andy Moog

Unfortunately I have run into one deceased player, Jacques Richard. I purchased a couple signed index cards on eBay which I plan to stick his sticker on and send to PSA for authentication (picture below). Hopefully the rest of the players are alive and in good health.

I will keep this thread updated as the stickers come back from the players and PSA!

Thanks,

Patrick

TheThrill22 · December 16, 2009 9:50AM

Good luck Patrick. Very cool idea.

CDsNuts · December 16, 2009 10:49AM

What does Rod Langway do? He was great.

TheHun · December 16, 2009 10:53AM

I knew a collector who sent TTM autos on index cards - at the time (1980's) there were only Panini stickers for English League soccer.

so he put the stickers on the index card. For older players he stuck magazine pictures or older cards on the indexes. He kept them all a uniform size.

It looked pretty cool.

I look forward to seeing scans of your collection.

cheers

TurbosHockey · December 16, 2009 10:58AM

Good luck Patrick. I just a batch more stickers in and will be sending some in to be graded. Let m eknow if Jordy Douglas gets back to you. I know who his office mate is in Winnipeg.

vladguerrero · December 16, 2009 11:07AM

post a scan so we can see what the stickers look like and good luck.

cefy1 · December 18, 2009 9:15AM

Awesome project Patrick can't wait to see the results start streaming in. Here are a couple of examples for those not familiar with the set. I was thinking of doing the same with 87 Panini set which I have perfectly centered and includes every player in portrait style, but I would never get it completed and my wife would end up leaving me.

Good Luck,
Chris

MULLINS5 · December 18, 2009 9:22AM

Thanks Chris, I was going to scan some tonight of some unsigned stickers, but you beat me to it with some nice examples

You don't still have these do you? It looks like I'm going to have to send the Gretzky stickers in through his website and pay a lot of money

Makes me appreciate the signatures other hockey greats are generous enough to give.

I'm working on some mailings right now and will post a list soon.

MULLINS5 · December 18, 2009 9:55AM

<< <i>What does Rod Langway do? He was great. >>

Not sure what he does there, but his address is for Richmond Heat Treating Company, so I assume that is where he works.

nightcrawler · December 18, 2009 1:48PM

That's going to make a great set Patrick, good luck.

MULLINS5 · December 18, 2009 5:22PM

12/19/2009 mailings:

Bob Murray
John Ogrodnick
Reed Larson
Vaclav Nedomansky
Terry Ruskowski
Keith Brown
Tom Lysiak
Denis Savard
Tony Esposito
John Anderson
Ian Turnbull
Don Edwards
Steve Payne
Dan Maloney
Rich Vaive
Bill Derlago
Pat Hickey
Mike Foligno
Wilf Paiement
Darryl Sittler
Laurie Boschman
Borje Salming

Unfortunately there is another deceased player I've run into: Michel Larocque - Died of brain cancer in 1992 according to wikipedia and I didn't know this... I haven't been able to find anything along the lines of an index card with his signature, but I'll keep looking.

Some players I've had trouble finding addresses:

Jiri Crha
Glen Sharpley
Reg Kerr
Gilles Gilbert

If anybody had any information on a possible TTM address of these players please PM me.

I think after 90 days without a response from a player I will look for another address and mail another card.

MULLINS5 · December 23, 2009 12:55PM

Very excited! My first two TTM's were in the mailbox when I arrived home from work today...unfortunately the mailbox was taken out and in the front yard (a lot of snow here) but thank goodness everything inside was unharmed.

The index card I purchased off eBay was there with Richard's signature... I put his sticker in the top loader to show what it will look like if slabbed authentic by PSA. Also Rod Langway and Pierre Larouche's stickers arrived signed! Seven days, great success!

MULLINS5 · December 25, 2009 12:40PM

12/24/2009,

Came home and mailbox was in front lawn as it was hit by a car the other night...I still need to put another up... Inside was two successes, Larry Robinson and Denis Herron!

Herron personalized each card and my girlfriend asked if this would mess up my set, lol, no way! Thank you Mr. Herron!

MULLINS5 · December 26, 2009 4:03AM

12/26/09, Ken Morrow, his signature looks really nice on these stickers. After I sent these to him I found another sticker for him to sign (1/6 pieces of the Stanley Cup which I would like to get each of the other pieces signed by Potvin, Bossy, Trottier, Goring, and Smith) along with the Stanley Cup sticker I sent a small letter explaining that I found it after sending the first two and think it would look nice with his signature. I don't want him to think I'm greedy...

I read that Potvin doesn't, under any circumstances, sign TTM. Looks like I will have to send his to here Denis Potvin There are other players I'm afraid I'll have to do the same for...Messier...as said before Gretzky...I'm sure we'll see as more as this project goes along...again I appreciate every player who participates in TTM and their stickers mean more than the ones sent in through shows and websites.

TheHun · December 26, 2009 5:29AM

Those look great Patrick -

a few years back I was covering Tampa Bay Lightning games. I got to see and meet many greats in the press box - Scotty Bowman, Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito ...

Looking back it would have been nice to get some stuff signed but professionally it would have been frowned upon. I am not a big collector of autgraphed stuff (I would prefer to get it in person and see what their reaction is to the item - cards) but looking at those - it is tempting.

I might just send a few selected cards to certain players just for the memories.

cheers

MULLINS5 · January 2, 2010 6:35AM

Nice success today to start off the new year...6 signed (Steve Payne, Bill Barber, Michel Goulet, Blaine Stoughton, Brian Propp, and Dwight Foster), 1 return to sender (Clark Gillies), and 1 mailed back unsigned (Tony Esposito)

I've read Tony Esposito doesn't participate in TTM's but I thought it was at least worth a shot. I'll keep an eye out for an upcoming show so that I can send it in for his signature and ask that if anybody here hears of one to please PM me. Same for Clark Gillies, Mark Messier, and Gretzky's website.

Thanks!

TheHun · January 2, 2010 6:55AM

Patrick -

If I do cover any Lightning games again, I'll ask Phil Espo if his brother can sign.

did you ever find out about Denis Potvin ?

Love this collection so far !

MULLINS5 · January 2, 2010 7:14AM

<< <i>Patrick -

If I do cover any Lightning games again, I'll ask Phil Espo if his brother can sign.

did you ever find out about Denis Potvin ?

Love this collection so far ! >>

I know how it can be unprofessional to ask for autos on the job, so if you see Phil again, and you ask him, I'm open to send the card to a show and pay the signing fee...just need to know when the show is and where to send it to

I haven't received the stickers from Potvin yet, so I'm going to get some more ready and send them to the sight I posted the other day...unfortunately he has 4 cards in this issue (regular, all-star foil, action shot, and stanley cup piece) so at 35/card we're looking at about 150-ish in fees/shipping

Again, many thanks!

Dboneesq · January 2, 2010 12:11PM

Very nice returns so far. GOOD LUCK!

I sent a card to Clark Gillies' home (which is only about 15 miles from my home) over EIGHT months ago and still no response. HOWEVER, on STARTIGER I see that recently there have been successes in TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!

hockeycrazy · January 3, 2010 1:17AM

Very nice project. I was wondering how to get Gretzky's signature on a specific card. In the thread there are two beautiful signed stickers and someone mentioned that they got them signed thru his website. Would someone be kind enough to elaborate - provide directions on how this can be accomplished. Thanks very much in advance. And continued TTM successes! Dave

MULLINS5 · January 4, 2010 5:29AM

Today Guy Lafleur, Al Sims, Craig Hartsburg...Jorgen Pettersson came back RTS.

Guy Lafleur upgraded the stamp and added two extra signed cards in the envelope!

MULLINS5 · January 4, 2010 5:35AM

<< <i>Very nice project. I was wondering how to get Gretzky's signature on a specific card. In the thread there are two beautiful signed stickers and someone mentioned that they got them signed thru his website. Would someone be kind enough to elaborate - provide directions on how this can be accomplished. Thanks very much in advance. And continued TTM successes! Dave >>

Thanks! If someone hasn't PM'd you yet, Gretzky offers occasional TTM through his website Gretzky Shop and charges over $100 for each auto. The only card I am aware of that he will not sign is the 1988 Topps one where he is holding up the Kings jersey.

MULLINS5 · January 15, 2010 6:24AM

I've been out of town the past week, using my phone to do most of my eBay, Half, and Collector's Universe talk, so here are the 38 stickers which were waiting for me at home:

From top left to bottom: Morrow (sent another as I want to get the Stanley Cup pieces signed by Islander stars), Randy Carlyle Norris Trophy, Carlyle Norris Winner, John Davidson, Bob Kelly, Randy Carlyle, Don Maloney, Bernie Federko, Blake Dunlop, Vaclav Nedomansky, Reed Larson, Tom Lysiak, Pat Hickey, Laurie Boschman, Robbie, Ftorek, Gilbert Perreault

Ian Turnbull, Brian Sutter, Ron Duguay, John Anderson, Pete Peeters, Peter Lee, Mark Howe AS, Mark Howe, Dan Maloney, Ron Wilson, Butch Goring Conn Smythe Trophy, Goring, Goring Stanley Cup piece, Bobby Clarke, Behn Wilson, Paul Holmgren

Steve Shutt, Red Kelly, Steve Shutt, Laurie Boschman, Red Kelly, Bob Sauve, and an interesting letter from Mark Howe asking for money for charity (which I will send $50 to the Howe Foundation) The part I find interesting is the line "it has become increasingly apparent that a number of autograph seekers have chosen to sell these items and they were not kept for their own personal collection"

cefy1 · January 15, 2010 7:30AM

Well done.

This is going to be an awesome set.

DrJ · January 15, 2010 7:42AM

Ahmanfan · January 15, 2010 7:47AM

Hey Patrick,
Gretzky will often sign 1 per person at the team hotel going to the game... you should go get him in person!
John

MULLINS5 · January 15, 2010 7:48AM

I ask that nobody reply to DrJ's comment. He is only seeking desperately needed attention.

Patrick

MULLINS5 · January 15, 2010 7:50AM

<< <i>Hey Patrick,
Gretzky will often sign 1 per person at the team hotel going to the game... you should go get him in person!
John >>

Thanks for the heads up John, I live in Virginia, so maybe I can get him at a caps or carolina game...worth looking into.

MULLINS5 · February 9, 2010 11:42AM

I swear, hockey guys are great! Thanks Norm Barnes for the two personalized 8x10's!

Garabaldi · February 9, 2010 9:52PM

This is a great idea and hopefully you will complete the set.

huskiefan2010 · February 15, 2010 9:26AM

Keep up the good work. This thread is like taking a ride in a Dodge Viper.

TheHun · February 15, 2010 11:28AM

Patrick

This is great - Since I don't really have the time or funds to do somethinglike this, its cool to watch your progress.

Keep it going !

1981 O-Pee-Chee OPC Hockey Stickers TTM Project ***Norm Barnes sends two free signed 8X10's!***

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1981 O-Pee-Chee OPC Hockey Stickers TTM Project Norm Barnes sends two free signed 8X10's!