Hockey collecting guide
Maurice Richard1951-52 Parkhurst #4
Richard’s Parkhurst rookie preserves a scorer who had already reached fifty goals in fifty games.
By the time Parkhurst issued Maurice Richard #4, the Rocket had already scored 50 goals in 50 games for Montreal in 1944–45. His recognized rookie card therefore tells two stories at once. It marks the return of a major hockey-card issue and the arrival on cardboard of an established Canadiens star.
A little card with a demanding print surface
PSA measures #4 at approximately 1¾ by 2½ inches and calls out uneven centering, paper quality and bleeding ink. Check the definition of the figure and how comfortably it sits inside the margins. A fuzzy image can reflect the original print. Ask for a sharp scan before deciding whether you are seeing ink spread, camera blur or actual surface wear. 1 2
The player behind the card
Richard scored 27 goals in the 1951–52 season on #4. His famous 50-goal season came earlier. Keeping the dates straight gives the Parkhurst card its own place in a Montreal collection. 5
The card’s season
1951-52 · Montréal Canadiens
NHL regular season
48 games · 27 goals, 17 assists, 44 points. 5
Make a deliberate lower-grade choice
At a worn grade, compare what remains clear. One card might have a crease across the image, another a softer corner and a more distinct figure. If the portrait matters most, view both at actual size before enlarging the defects. Ask for the entire reverse as well. A mark on the back might suit a display collection while presenting a different tradeoff for a set builder. 1
Use the number to build a Montreal run
Start with Parkhurst #4 and record the season explicitly when adding another Richard. A collection organized around Montreal’s championship history can use this issue to represent a player who eventually won eight Cups. If you collect the 1951–52 set, compare the color and centering of Richard with other examples of #4 before substituting conclusions drawn from another player’s image. 1 2
Documented prices
PSA estimate
$4,148 USD · PSA 3
Reference recorded Nov 4, 2026 for this grade.
View the PSA referenceRobert Edward Auctions · June 2026
$4,797 USD · PSA 3
Archive total with unspecified fee treatment.
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Collector questions
Was Richard a first-year NHL player when #4 appeared?
He was already an established Canadien. His 50-in-50 season preceded the 1951–52 card by several years.
Is weak image definition necessarily wear?
PSA identifies ink bleeding as a printing issue on this card. Clear photographs help separate print characteristics from surface damage.