1979-80 Wayne Gretzky West Edmonton Mall

[DougLaurieSports]

1981-82(?) Wayne Gretzky West Edmonton Mall oversize issue!

Just picked this up and don't know much about it yet.



It's a 5x7 on a stock a little heavier than standard paper. This example has a small bend in the top right corner, but other than that it is very sharp.

Here are the only two examples I have found so far, neither of which match the condition of the one I have:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1981-1982-west-edmonton-mall-wayne-485042705

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1981-1982-west-edmonton-mall-wayne-505802922

The unslabbed went for $386US, while the slabbed went for $1,799US.

Anyone who has any other information on this issue they wish to share would be greatly appreciated, and it is available.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lucscaps]

look at that salad, spectacular find

 

[Gretzkycards]

This is an ABSURDLY difficult Gretzky item to find. From my understanding (from a very aggressive, yet reliable source), these were handed out for a signing session by the team at the West Edmonton Mall.

In earlier Gretzky checklists, these have been listed as being from 1981, but I cannot independently verify that.

Amazing pickup.

 

[Hama]

WEM didn't open until September 1981 so that would be the earliest it would have been produced

 

[Gretzkycards]

WEM didn't open until September 1981 so that would be the earliest it would have been produced

Good point. Thinking about this more, the image is pretty similar to the infamous Long Hair Red Rooster cards, which also were released in 1981.

 

[99wgretzky99]

WEM didn't open until September 1981 so that would be the earliest it would have been produced

I still remember me and my dad (he and my uncle owned a hair salon when the mall first opened) parking on a field (where phase 2 would be now) the mall was so new.

LOL I think it's fair to say Gretzky would've landed the ladies with his popularity back then. His looks? Not so much. LOL and a perm to boot.

Cool find, OP

 

[DougLaurieSports]

Thread updated with new information - thanks to everyone so far, and I think I found my Halloween costume for this year!

 

[C55]

Fantastic find!

 

[Hama]

The team signing session would've been the Oilers Fever day where they would've had a practice at the rink and then had signing stations around the mall. From what I remember they were held in late January or early February. I don't know what happened in the first few years since I was living in Northern Alberta at that time.