Here’s one for the ages: Topps’ first-ever foray into the hockey card business, an iconic inaugural effort that featured 15 players each from the four American teams in the NHL. The offered lot is in extraordinary condition for such a key issue, earning a No. 20 blessing on the PSA Set Registry with a 7.08 average, a blazing Near-Mint monster that has only five cards outside the condition range, and those are actually above the PSA 7 default grade at PSA 7.5 and 8. The 2 5/8-by-3 ¾-inch cards boast a suitably patriotic red, white and blue color scheme, and a roster that includes the likes of Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk, Gump Worsley, Alex Delvecchio, Red Kelly, Harry Howell and Ted Lindsay, legendary figures all from the rough-and-tumble 1950s National Hockey League. With PSA 7 as the default grade, here’s the breakdown of the handful of cards landing above that level: PSA 8 Near-Mint to Mint (2) – No. 188 and 22; PSA 7.5 Near-Mint-Plus (3) – No. 4, 24 and 55. Follow this link to view the 1954 Topps Hockey complete set on the PSA Set Registry.

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