The ‘Gretzky Cards’ book, by Jeffrey Griffith

[zackmak]

There was a book by Jeffrey Griffith published in 2009 called ‘Gretzky Cards’, which thoroughly covered all the Gretzky cards ever produced. I have that soft cover book, and I love it!

But he also produced a hard copy version limited to 100 copies, which included an exclusive Gretzky memorabilia card. I’ve never seen this before and was wondering if someone has a picture of this card. Was this a licensed memorabilia item? Was it stuck to the book, or removeable?

Thanks!

 

[FrozenInferno]

There was a book by Jeffrey Griffith published in 2009 called ‘Gretzky Cards’, which thoroughly covered all the Gretzky cards ever produced. I have that soft cover book, and I love it!

But he also produced a hard copy version limited to 100 copies, which included an exclusive Gretzky memorabilia card. I’ve never seen this before and was wondering if someone has a picture of this card. Was this a licensed memorabilia item? Was it stuck to the book, or removeable?

Thanks!

It wasn’t a separate card, it was printed on/embedded right into the inside cover. And it was an image of four different existing cards, one for each of Oilers, Kings, Rangers and All-Star, and I believe all four may have had their respective jersey pieces embedded. Four swatches not just one.

I don’t have the hardcover version but I’m sure at least a few here do and could provide a picture. I have a mockup image on my computer at home somewhere that I can post later if nobody else provides it in the meantime.

Jeffrey’s book is amazing. I still flip through my softcover version regularly when I want to look at some Gretzky eye candy

 

[creasecollector]

I’ve never read it but would like to own a soft cover version someday. Would be an experience I’m sure.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Here is the mockup image I have. Would still love to see a live version:

 

[zackmak]

It wasn’t a separate card, it was printed on/embedded right into the inside cover. And it was an image of four different existing cards, one for each of Oilers, Kings, Rangers and All-Star, and I believe all four may have had their respective jersey pieces embedded. Four swatches not just one.

I don’t have the hardcover version but I’m sure at least a few here do and could provide a picture. I have a mockup image on my computer at home somewhere that I can post later if nobody else provides it in the meantime.

Jeffrey’s book is amazing. I still flip through my softcover version regularly when I want to look at some Gretzky eye candy

Thanks for that info, and the mock up! So, just to be clear....the cards on the inside cover were not actual cards, but PHOTOS of real cards....but the areas on the cards where the jersey piece are shown, were covered with REAL jersey pieces?

If that is correct, are we to assume Jeffrey obtained jerseys from those 4 teams, and had 99 pieces cut out from each of them, to glue onto the card photos where the jersey area would be? Sort of like a 'mock' card?

Or,

were these actual jersey cards that were glued (for lack of a better term) to the inside cover page of the book? Thus, Jeffrey obtained 99 real copies of each of those four cards.

I'm trying to decipher between the words "printed on" and "embedded into the cover", you used. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Thanks for that info, and the mock up! So, just to be clear....the cards on the inside cover were not actual cards, but PHOTOS of real cards....but the areas on the cards where the jersey piece are shown, were covered with REAL jersey pieces?

If that is correct, are we to assume Jeffrey obtained jerseys from those 4 teams, and had 99 pieces cut out from each of them, to glue onto the card photos where the jersey area would be? Sort of like a 'mock' card?

Or,

were these actual jersey cards that were glued (for lack of a better term) to the inside cover page of the book? Thus, Jeffrey obtained 99 real copies of each of those four cards.

I'm trying to decipher between the words "printed on" and "embedded into the cover", you used. Sorry for the confusion.

Sorry for the confusion. The images of the cards were printed on the inside cover and the jersey pieces were embedded into the cover where the swatches would go, is my understanding. I’ve never had a chance to hold the limited edition personally which is why I was hoping someone here who owns it (if anybody here owns it) could post a photo. I recall the limited edition being pretty expensive, $400 USD back in 2009 or 2010 dollars, so it’s possible very few people here ordered that one but I don’t know.

As for the swatches my recollection is that Jeffrey worked with Dr. Price of In The Game trading cards to source them so he didn’t buy or cut any jerseys himself. Brian is still active on here so maybe he will see the thread and chime in.

 

[FrozenInferno]

I found a thread from back then where Jeffrey posted about the book being for sale:

http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=204240

I was pretty close on the price, it was actually $300 (I have a very good memory but not perfect lol) and Bruce confirms the jersey pieces were embedded into the cover itself.

You can also try sending Jeffrey a PM on here and ask him about it directly. He might even have softcover copies still available.

That’s about all the info I can provide myself other than what’s actually in the book. It’s not a narrative per se, but a brand by brand, year by year, set by set breakdown of all the Gretzky cards that were made up to 2007-08. Which cards were in a product, what their print runs were if they were known, and tons of tidbits of interesting information throughout. And the hundreds of scans used in the book are all cards from Jeffrey’s collection. It’s pretty insane. The rarest of the rare Gretzky cards can be seen in the book.

 

[Tachyon]

That is super cool. I never knew this existed. I would imagine with only /99 copies of that book that it would go for well over $1,000 USD right now.

Is Jeffrey the guy in Fort McMurray whom apparently had the most vast Gretzky collection in the world whose home was being encroached on by wild fires a few years back? My memory isn't as good as some others lol

 

[webottew]

Here is a pic of the GU panel inside my hardcover copy

The "card panel" is cardstock but thinner than base cards and is approx 6" X 8.5" in size. This panel is the same as FrozenInferno showed as the mock up. This panel is glued to the inside cover, with the jersey swatches sandwiched between the cover and the panel. So they are not individual cards -- just a panel of card images. Sorta like the old OPC box bottoms but with die cuts for the GU swatches.

As FrozenInferno mentioned, the author worked closely with Dr Price. I "assume" the pieces came from Price/ITG. The inside has legal text "The authenticity of these swatches is guaranteed by National Treasures Inc." Never heard of that company before, but my guess is Price's memorabilia holding company. (???)

There is also text stating that the author was licensed by ITG to use their patent for the GU Memorabilia panel for his book.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Is Jeffrey the guy in Fort McMurray whom apparently had the most vast Gretzky collection in the world whose home was being encroached on by wild fires a few years back? My memory isn't as good as some others lol

You’re thinking of Shawn Chaulk.

Here is a pic of the GU panel inside my hardcover copy

The "card panel" is cardstock but thinner than base cards and is approx 6" X 8.5" in size. This panel is the same as FrozenInferno showed as the mock up. This panel is glued to the inside cover, with the jersey swatches sandwiched between the cover and the panel. So they are not individual cards -- just a panel of card images. Sorta like the old OPC box bottoms but with die cuts for the GU swatches.

As FrozenInferno mentioned, the author worked closely with Dr Price. I "assume" the pieces came from Price/ITG. The inside has legal text "The authenticity of these swatches is guaranteed by National Treasures Inc." Never heard of that company before, but my guess is Price's memorabilia holding company. (???)

There is also text stating that the author was licensed by ITG to use their patent for the GU Memorabilia panel for his book.

Great info, thanks for posting this! Interesting to get details on the actual composition of that panel. I also never knew that what the book had as far as guarantees for the GU.

I wish I would have ponied up the money for the limited edition haha

 

[creasecollector]

Awesome look at the inside panel. Thank you for sharing - Super cool idea!

 

[will-411]

There was a short period of time where the company National Treasures Inc was providing authentic game used swatches to be used in your own personal pieces. I had an 8x10 frame done with a piece of Dale Hawerchuk team Canada swatch to hold a personalized autographed photo. It was definitely all ITG/ Dr. price memorabilia, but it was a separate business venture.

 

[zackmak]

Here is a pic of the GU panel inside my hardcover copy

The "card panel" is cardstock but thinner than base cards and is approx 6" X 8.5" in size. This panel is the same as FrozenInferno showed as the mock up. This panel is glued to the inside cover, with the jersey swatches sandwiched between the cover and the panel. So they are not individual cards -- just a panel of card images. Sorta like the old OPC box bottoms but with die cuts for the GU swatches.

As FrozenInferno mentioned, the author worked closely with Dr Price. I "assume" the pieces came from Price/ITG. The inside has legal text "The authenticity of these swatches is guaranteed by National Treasures Inc." Never heard of that company before, but my guess is Price's memorabilia holding company. (???)

There is also text stating that the author was licensed by ITG to use their patent for the GU Memorabilia panel for his book.

I'm very glad I'm getting a chance to view this unique presentation of memorabilia! Thank you guys!! This hardcover book was sold out at the 2009 Toronto Fan Expo when I attended, but I'm glad I bought a softcover version. It has been the most comprehensive reference for building my Gretzky collection. Even if I did have a chance to buy the hardcover edition, I hope I would have had the insight to buy a softcover as well. The amount of wear and note-making I did on my softcover edition shows it's been well-used!

For the top-left 1998-99 ITG Be A Player Playoff Game Used Jersey card #G-1, there were 100 copies made of the physical card, and it contained a piece of jersey from a specific season (it's exact year is mentioned on the back). So I'm wondering if Dr. Price committed to giving a swatch from that same season, for this hardcover book. OR, because the back of the cards - which mentioned the jersey year - were not shown, he could have technically gotten away with putting an Oilers jersey piece from ANY of Gretzky's playing years.