The 1977 OPC baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and collectible issues of the 1970s. Produced by the Ontario-based O-Pee-Chee company, which held the Canadian licensing rights to produce Topps baseball cards for distribution north of the border, the 1977 set showcased players and teams from both the American and National Leagues during the 1976 season. Card enthusiasts and collectors regard the 1977 OPC issue highly for its attractive and colorful card design as well as its documenting of a transitional era in Major League Baseball during which several legendary players were entering their primes or still in their playing careers.
The set contains 383 total cards, which breaks down to 330 card photographs of individual players along with 50 team cards and 3 manager cards. Notable rookie cards included in the set are Andre Dawson, Keith Hernandez, Lary Sorensen, Willie Wilson, Steve Rogers, and Dan Quisenberry. Legendary veterans whose careers were winding down but were still included were Hank Aaron in his final season, Willie Mays in his next-to-last season, and Roberto Clemente, who unfortunately had passed away in a plane crash in 1972 but was still beloved and remembered by fans.
Several iconic players who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers were entering their prime years in 1977 and depicted in their physical primes on the OPC cards, including Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Rod Carew, and Nolan Ryan. The Detroit Tigers squad that would win the World Series that year is well-represented, with stars like Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, Ron LeFlore, Mark Fidrych, and pitchers Jack Morris and Dan Petry. The dominant Cincinnati Reds of the mid-1970s are also documented, led by Bench, Perez, and Joe Morgan.
A distinctive stylistic element of the 1977 OPC set was the bright solid colors used for the borders and backgrounds of the cards. For example, American League cards had a red border and partially red backdrop, while National League cards had a blue border and light blue partial backdrop. Within these borders were colorful action photos of the players, usually in mid-swing from the batter’s box or mid-pitching motion on the mound. Team names and player names were written in bold all-caps lettering. The photo size on each card was slightly larger than previous years’ issues as well.
The rear of each card contained player and team stats from the previous 1976 season, as the 1977 season stats would not be available yet. Batting and pitching averages were listed along with home runs, runs batted in, wins, losses, and other notable stats. A short paragraph biography was also included on the back of most cards. The card stock material itself was of high quality thick cardstock that has stood the test of time far better than issues from later years that used thinner materials.
Condition and centering of the photos were generally very high quality straight out of the pack for OPC issues in the 1970s compared to some past and future years. As such, high grade specimens of stars and key rookie cards from the 1977 OPC set command premium prices today. PSA and BGS have graded many examples at Gem Mint 10 and near-Mint levels. Populations remain low, especially for big names, as most of the print run remained in Canadian hands over the decades.
The 1977 OPC set had a very limited printing and distribution mostly in Canada but also some export to the United States. As such, it has maintained an aura of scarcity that drives collector and investor demand. While common players may still be acquired in Used condition for $5-10, star rookie cards or future Hall of Famers in high grades will command $100-1000 each. Complete near-set runs in Excellent to Gem condition change hands for thousands. The set is highly represented in auction price guides as a blue-chip vintage issue that retains value over time.
In the modern era, the 1977 OPC cards remain a highly search item for collectors both young and old. Their artistic design representing a pivotal era continue to attract dedicated fans. The photography, stats and information preserved make them an appealing historical relic as well. As the hobby market expands globally, more collectors outside of Canada are discovering these classic cards as affordable but investment-worthy pieces. For those who enjoyed the sport and players of the 1970s, the 1977 OPC cards in many ways encapsulate that era in cardboard form. They showcase stars of both the past and future at the crossroads between eras of MLB history.
The 1977 OPC baseball card set holds a special place in the collecting realm due to its classic design, high production quality, representation of legendary players and teams, and scarcity due to its limited origin. While other sets may have focusen international distribution, 1977 OPC captured lighting in a bottle for Canadian collectors and set the stage for the fantastic players and seasons to come. After over 40 years, its colors remain as bright and its stories as compelling as when first released.
