2021: The summer of the 30 year anniversary. For us Gen-X’rs, the summer-fall of 1991 was nothing short of a game-changer on our musical radars. Nirvana’s “Nevermind”, Pearl Jam’s “Ten”. RHCP’s “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic”. Soundgarden’s “Badmotorfinger”. G’N’R’s double punch with “Use Your Illusion” volumes one and two. And let’s not forget the Ozzy classic “No More Tears”. Within a six week period these gems came slamming down on our formative musical tastes, and whether you latched on for the ride or not it was undeniable that a paradigm shift was underway…
Such change was not limited to the music game, as there were broad cultural and political metamorphosis occurring across the board. Albeit likely coincidental, our hobby of focus was in lockstep with this shift. We were in the thick of the early 90’s hockey junk era which, at that moment, seemed like a goldmine less than a garbage dump. A time when a young collectors’ ideas about what is possible for the hobby blew past anything OPC was ever able to offer up. In a life of K-Cars, we were made hip to the Mustang GT. Everything was new and exciting, and with that came a freedom for the companies to play around a be creative in how to engage with the collector. Some of it stuck, some of it sank. But it was fun!
Thirty years on and we know how the story has ended: only one company really remains from the boom group, Upper Deck is the sole survivor of the bunch, and in doling out product hand over fist during a season they have become a provider of selection versus an option among the selection. As such, it can be difficult to compare the company of the early days to the industry leader of today. That being said, there are still a few consistencies that we can cling to and allow us to travel the 30+ year span of a company’s growth. One of these, and a true pillar of Upper Deck’s flagship hockey product, is the “Young Gun” card.
While modern Young Gun cards are synonymous with “the rookie cards” of the main release of UD’s product line, they began as a small subset of rookies featured in the high number release during the first three release years (90-91, 91-92, and 92-93). That is to say that rookie cards were spread out over the series one and two sets (or low and high numbered releases as they were originally labelled) with the Young Guns cards merely being an additional batch with the badging of the subset name on them. Conversely, modern Young Guns will contain the vast majority of the rookies contained in the release, with base set rookie cards being the vast exception versus the rule. Just compare the 90-91 and 20-21 releases as an example. In 1990-91 there were 15 Young Gun rookie cards in the set. Overall, there were 170 rookie cards in the release, making the Young Guns left comprising approximately 9% of the rookie cards. In the 20-21 release? We’ve got 127 rookie cards, all of which are Young Gun badged. The evolution of product…
As for today? In sticking with the original idea of the 30th anniversary, let’s jump back to the high series release of 1991-92 Upper Deck and check out a future hall of fame rookie in Niklas Lidstrom!
1991-92 UD High Series Young Guns
Here we have a basic representation of the Upper Deck base card for the first few years of its existence. Specifically, predominant white boarder, UD crest in the upper corner with the release years contained within the upper and lower points of the “ball field”, and name and position stemming off to the right side up to the border. The Young Guns badging at the bottom of the card was not too shabby either! Not excessively cartoony, with a depth effect and the flying puck giving a bit of a spark to things along the way. Definitely hold this design in higher regard to some of the designs chosen in the years of ’99 on as this set was reintroduced into the flagship product. Notable also that the picture contains an in uniform, game play, shot from the NHL given the significant number of rookie cards coming from this year and the inaugural release using photos from international play of draft day.
As for the back of the card, there is not anything exceptional to writer home about, particularly when comparing to more modern product. At the same time, its simplicity does not reflect poor quality either. In a time where we were accustomed to flat colouring resulting from a bland cardboard surface, something like this offered, and still does today, a clean, bright surface that did not overload the sense. Colouring remained basic while also allowing for pertinent information to pop out (number, name, team, logos). Stats were kept basic but sufficient, while the sharpness of the text and surface allowed for what I imagine is far more of an introduction to the player than possible if ink bleeds into cardboard could have limited text proximity and layout. The subtlety of the beige textured background for the sections allows just enough attention and organization without being a distraction and holds up at present even as the hobby has allowed for three decades of experimenting with layouts. It really is not that difficult to see how Upper Deck really shook the foundations with these types off offerings, differentiating themselves early from the other companies and what they brought to the table. Remains a nice slick piece of eye candy!
Previous “Ultimate Set Build” Articles
1959-60 Parkhurst
59-60 Base
1980-81 O-Pee-Chee
80-81 Base
20008 UD Champs
Champ’s Mini Signatures
2016-17 Upper Deck Parkhurst
Rookie Red Parallel
2017 Upper Deck Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial
Maple Leafs Marks
Well wishes and positive energy to you all. It can be pretty easy to get engulfed in the dark stuff these days, so let’s make an effort to add some positivity into the mix. Support yourself, yours and random people in general you cross paths with during the run of your day with a simple smile or “hello”. What you share, no matter how simple or insignificant it may seem can take on a life of its own and go further than you could ever begin to appreciate. All the best!
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Do you have a piece of treasured memorabilia that has a great story behind it? Let me know and you can be featured in an article. Doesn't matter how big or small the piece is, how valuable it may be, or whether it's a common item or more oddball. If you think it has a story, contact me via the information below and we'll chat. In the meantime, check out some previous "Display Case" articles via the links below to see what others have submitted in the past...
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Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Facebook: ShawnMcShawn
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Previous “Who Am I?” Articles
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Previous “Devil In The Details?” Articles
Centering
Corners
Previous ”The Display Case” Posts
#1: The “Frankenstick!”
#2: Your desk has the right to remain collectable!
#3: Have Pads, Will Travel
#4: Pick a Pekka (Rinne) Autographed Mask
#5: Ted Lindsay Gets Kronwalled?
#6: The Only Thing We Have To Fehr Is Fehr Himself
#7: “Hungary” For Team Canada Swag
#8: The Soldiers Kid and “The Kid”
#9: Fan Appreciation & Player Humility Via The '72 Series
#10: Bobby Orr and....Birth Control?!?!?!
#11: Johnny Bower The “Portrait” Of Health At 88!!!
#12: Scotty Bowman – Stick Detective!!!
#13: Touch 'Em All Joe!!!
#14: Joey and Sergei's European (Lockout) Adventure!!!
#15: I’d Give The Jersey Off My Back For You…
#16: The Case Of The 1940’s Era Leafs
#17: Scrapping The History Of The Isles...
#18: Gretzky “Re-Signs” in Edmonton
#19: Gilmour Is Such A Caricature!!!
#20: Toys In The Attic
#21: The Right King Place At The Right King Time
#22: Momma Bear Takes On A “Killer”!!!
#23: Leafs Lunch Stool
#24: The 50 Goal Stub
#25: Scoring From The Rafters
#26: Junior Jersey Mail Order Mayhem!
Previous Random Hockey Musings
Oh? Canada? A Hockey History…
Industry Blow To Topps Possible Foreshadowing For The NHL, NHLPA & UD
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