The Gretzky-to-Kings hockey wax

Why it matters

The 1988 to 89 O-Pee-Chee Hockey wax box is the single most historically iconic hockey wax of the era. Card #120 Wayne Gretzky is the first mass-produced hockey card to show Gretzky in Los Angeles Kings gear, released the same season as the trade that changed the sport. The box also contains the Brett Hull rookie card, an early-career Mario Lemieux, and Ray Bourque and Mark Messier at their peak. O-Pee-Chee product distribution was Canadian-centric and print runs were substantially lower than Topps baseball, which makes sealed wax boxes materially scarcer than the equivalent baseball products.

How to identify

1988 to 89 O-Pee-Chee Hockey wax box, 48 packs. Distinguish from the 1988 to 89 Topps Hockey (US) version. OPC boxes have bilingual English/French text on the wrappers and cards. BBCE authentication is available and adds a meaningful premium.