Hockey collecting guide
Gordie Howe1951-52 Parkhurst #66
Howe’s recognized rookie is a small Parkhurst card issued years into his Detroit career.
Gordie Howe debuted in 1946. His recognized rookie card arrived in Parkhurst’s 1951–52 release, five years later. That gap is part of the appeal of #66. A collector pursuing Howe’s first recognized card gets an established Red Wing in one of the postwar hobby’s small-format hockey sets.
How #66 fits the Parkhurst run
PSA describes a 105-card set built around the Original Six, with small color-tinted player portraits on an off-white ground. Cards measure about 1¾ by 2½ inches. Compare the scale of #66 with a card from the same set. Those broad areas around a small portrait give centering, staining and surface loss a large role in the way the front looks in hand. 1 2
The player behind the card
By the time Parkhurst pictured Howe, he was producing 47 goals in a 70-game Detroit season. That is the appeal of #66: a recognized rookie card showing a player who was already well established. 5
The card’s season
1951-52 · Detroit Red Wings
NHL regular season
70 games · 47 goals, 39 assists, 86 points. 5
Compare worn copies at display size
An enlarged scan can draw all your attention to one softened corner. Reduce the image to the card’s approximate size, then look again at Howe’s face and the space around him. Next inspect enlarged front and back views for creases, writing or missing paper. A crease across the image and wear at an outside corner can produce very different display cards even within the same grade. 1 2
Give a graded reference its proper scope
Howe’s card can anchor either a Detroit run or the full 105-card issue. Decide which matters more before paying extra for a particular grade. For a player display, the portrait may carry the most weight. For a set assembled to a consistent grade, record the numeric grade and any qualifier whenever you compare a sale. Keep signed and altered examples in separate searches. 1 2
Documented prices
PSA price guide
$8,500 USD · PSA 4
Reference recorded Nov 4, 2026 for this grade.
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Collector questions
Why does the rookie year on the label come after Howe’s NHL debut?
Rookie-card recognition follows the card issue. PSA identifies Parkhurst #66 as Howe’s recognized rookie and dates his playing debut to 1946.
How big should an original be?
PSA gives approximately 1¾ by 2½ inches for the issue. Treat size as one identification detail and seek authentication for an expensive raw example.