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Wayne Gretzky Indianapolis Racers “pre-RC” from the 1990s
Now, pretty much every hardcore hockey card collector knows that the card is a fake. Gretzky never appeared in any World Hockey Association trading card sets. Nor did the Indianapolis Racers ever release a team set. But if you have not seen this red-bordered phoney, let me assure you that this card is as fake as a $3 bill…and only worth as much, as it is an unlicensed item. I got this card for $1 in 1991. Many publications at the time warned collectors of this fake.
The front of the card features a black and white photo of Gretzky that has been colorized, much like the old cards from the 1950s. Interestingly, on his left sleeve you can see a bit of his uniform number-but it is not his familiar 99. Some photos used for press materials have shown Gretzky wearing number 20, though I can’t really tell if that is part of a 2 or a 7.
I’m not sure what the counterfeiters’ intentions were. The card looks too “new” to be mistaken for something that is old and therefore valuable. Perhaps they figured they could print a million of these cards and sell them for $3 each to unwitting hockey card “investors”.
While I don’t advocate buying fake stuff, this card is just odd enough to shell out a few bucks for. I mean, how many times do you see a picture of Gretzky as a Racer? ■
Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk View all posts by Sal Barry
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When hockey cards exploded and became an investment commodity, Wayne Gretzky cards were one of the most counterfeited. One rare counterfeit showed Gretzky as a member of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers -- his first professional team -- and wearing the No. 7 jersey.
The Hockey News
When hockey cards exploded in popularity in 1990, evolving from childhood collectible to adult investment commodity, many expensive cards – including Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card from 1979-80 – were counterfeited. However, another fake Gretzky card of unknown origin also surfaced, showing him as a member of the Indianapolis Racers, Gretzky’s first professional team in 1978. The card doesn’t have a copyright date on the back, but it’s similar in quality to cards from the early 1990s. Look closely, and you’ll notice No. 7 on Gretzky’s right sleeve, as a jersey with his usual No. 99 wasn’t yet ready.
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