The Inspiration behind the 2022-23 Parkhurst “Wrapper Back” Parallel Cards

This article shares the inspiration behind the 2022-23 Upper Deck Parkhurst Champions “Wrapper Back” 51-52 Retro parallel card set.I just wanted to take a moment and highlight my most recent addition to my Martin Brodeur collection. After seeing the announcement for this new wrapper back parallel in 2022-23 Parkhurst Champions, I knew i had to pick one of these up once the product released. 

These new Parkhurst Retro subset is a solid nod to the past in more ways than one. First off, the 51-52 mini Retro set takes on the iconic 1951-52 Parkhurst design and emulates it to perfection, which is really cool. I have always enjoyed the look of that vintage set, so to see Upper Deck bring them back (again) was a nice touch. 

Upon a second look at this set, and you’ll notice the wrapper back parallels with odds of 1:40 packs. These parallels look the exact same on the front, but like any good mullet, the party is always in the back. 

The backs of these retro parallels features a design that takes inspiration from the original packs the 1951-52 cards were stored in. Up until that time, cards were packed out with cigarettes or various confectionary items and did not have their own packs dedicated towards the cards themselves. This all changed in 1951, when the Parkhurst Products manufacturing company (located in Toronto, Ontario) released their “Parkie” Hockey Series in packs of cards. This distribution model would help shape what we see today in the trading card industry. 

Here’s a picture of an original pack of hockey cards from the 1951-52 Parkhurst Hockey Series. These packs of cards were the first of its kind, and would go on to inspire the trading card industry to circulate cards in packs – similar to how we would see cards packed today.

Cards from the original 1951-52 Parkhurst “Parkie” Hockey Card set. These cards were released by the Parkhurst Products company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1951. I hope this article cards you enjoy your cards that much more!

Happy Collecting, 

Aaron / creasecollector