One of my favourite things in the card collecting universe is the seller who significantly discounts an otherwise NM card because it’s off-centre. I like this because, as I’ve said before, off-centre is the normal state of being for someone who collects OPC.
Perfectly-centred OPC cards look somewhat odd, even artificial. Sheet cuts and forged cards are always well-centered. That’s why they’re so readily recognizable.
This card has a recognizable border, front and back (front moreso than back), and given the price, that’s more than enough for me.
OPC only ever produced one regular Koufax card. The first set in 1965 didn’t include the series that Koufax was in (though the leader cards are there and some of those include him). For 1967, there was no regular Topps card and OPC didn’t even include the leader cards. This means that the ’66 is it, and ’66 isn’t that easy a set to find.
When I was first thinking it would be interesting to pick up a vintage player from the pre-OPC era, it was between Jackie Robinson and Koufax. When I settled on the Robinson, I then decided that the Koufax I really wanted was this one. It took a long time, but it’s here and in the binder.
She is a thing a beauty. I loved Koufax and I read a few books about him as a kid.
Very nice card!