Opechee baseball cards were a series of 1950’s era baseball cards produced by the Opechee Manufacturing Company located in Laconia, New Hampshire. Considered one of the more obscure sets of cards from that decade, the Opechee cards still capture the interest of collectors today due to their unique nature and limited production run.
The Opechee Manufacturing Company was founded in 1920 and produced a wide variety of goods including toys, games, and various novelties under their Opechee brand name. In 1952 they decided to enter the baseball card market, which had exploded in popularity following the release of the iconic Topps gum card sets a few years prior. Despite the crowded nature of the baseball card industry at this point, Opechee saw it as an opportunity to capitalize on America’s obsession with the national pastime and summer hobby of collecting cards.
Their first Opechee baseball card set was released in 1952 and contained 67 cards featuring current major league players from that season. The cards measured approximately 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, slightly smaller than the standard Topps size. They featured a single cropped image of the player in batting or fielding pose with their name and team printed beneath. The backs were left blank. The cards were distributed randomly in Opechee brand bubble gum packets purchased at candy stores, newsstands, and supermarkets across New England.
The limited regional distribution and very small production numbers mean 1952 Opeechee cards are among the most coveted and rare vintage sets for collectors today. Only an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 complete sets were printed, making individual cards quite difficult to find in high grade. The 1952 series also lacked stars of the era like Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Aaron since it was the players’ rookie seasons. Future Hall of Famers included in the set are Robin Roberts, Warren Spahn, Phil Rizzuto, and Red Schoendienst.
Encouraged by the initial reception and sales of their 1952 set, Opechee issued a second 67 card series for the 1953 baseball season. The design and production process remained nearly identical. The 1953 Opechee cards are arguably even more desirable and rare than the 1952s today due to the lower survivor rate after 70 years. Part of what makes Opechee collectible is the challenge for collectors to find all the cards in high quality condition given such limited distribution during the 1950s. Individual 1953 Opechee cards frequently sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the player and grade.
Despite producing baseball cards for two consecutive years, Opechee did not release a third series in 1954. This was likely due financial difficulties as the baseball card fad began to lose steam and costs rose for the company to compete with industry giants Topps and Bowman. Opechee continued making other toys and novelties into the late 1950s but ultimately folded as a business in the early 1960s. As a result, their brief two-year run producing Opechee cards in 1952 and 1953 stands as one of the shortest lived but most beloved vintage series for collectors today.
Partly due to their small print runs and mostly regional New England distribution during the 1950s, mint condition examples of complete sets of 1952 and 1953 Opechee baseball cards can sell for over $10,000 when they become available on the collector market. Prices for individual high graded cards vary widely depending on condition, player, and demand but routinely trade in the $100 to $500 range even for common players. Stars and key rookie cards can reach four figures or more. While challenging to acquire, the appeal of Opechee for collectors lies in their historical significance as one of the earliest secondary baseball card producers and scarcity as truly “trophy” pieces for advanced collections.
Over the past few decades, as the hobby of baseball card collecting has surged in popularity again, Opechee cards have gained more recognition among vintage enthusiasts. Websites, blogs, and social media discussion groups dedicated to Opechee research help fuel interest in these obscure early 1950s issues and aid collectors in identification, pricing, and quests to finish their sets. While production numbers will ensure Opechee cards are never truly “common,” their distinctive charm, player content, and rich slice of sports card history continue attracting new generations of baseball memorabilia aficionados seeking the ultimate challenge finds. For these reasons, Opechee playing cards remain hugely significant in the collecting community and undoubtedly an integral part of the hobby’s heritage.