hckycdn93
Verified Trader,
HOBBY GRAIL ALERT: I've had the fortune of owning many rare 2005-06 hockey cards, and have seen many low print cards in other collections that never become available.
My latest acquisition is what I would classify as a true "white whale", "hobby grail", or "ghost", a term I don't use often. When I started collecting the 2005-06 Victory Black set in 2014, I knew the Gretzky would be a tough find; what I didn't foresee was never even seeing a picture of one for over a decade. No picture, no leads, even other Gretzky collectors had never seen this card. I even resorted to making a mockup of this card, ironically serial numbered 3/5, to advertise that I was looking for one.
Fast forward to June 2025, an unassuming eBay listing featured this card, and I immediately reached out. It turns out, the owner of this card pulled it himself in 2006 and even had the blaster box that it came from. After a brief negotiation and a week to ship, it's now in hand and the crown jewel of my set. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2005-06 Victory Black Parallel Wayne Gretzky #77, serial number 3/5!
I have now completed the rainbow of Gretzky parallels: Black /5, Gold /100, Silver /250, and base. An 11-year search has finally come to an end.
My latest acquisition is what I would classify as a true "white whale", "hobby grail", or "ghost", a term I don't use often. When I started collecting the 2005-06 Victory Black set in 2014, I knew the Gretzky would be a tough find; what I didn't foresee was never even seeing a picture of one for over a decade. No picture, no leads, even other Gretzky collectors had never seen this card. I even resorted to making a mockup of this card, ironically serial numbered 3/5, to advertise that I was looking for one.
Fast forward to June 2025, an unassuming eBay listing featured this card, and I immediately reached out. It turns out, the owner of this card pulled it himself in 2006 and even had the blaster box that it came from. After a brief negotiation and a week to ship, it's now in hand and the crown jewel of my set. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2005-06 Victory Black Parallel Wayne Gretzky #77, serial number 3/5!
I have now completed the rainbow of Gretzky parallels: Black /5, Gold /100, Silver /250, and base. An 11-year search has finally come to an end.
