2001-02 Pre-Parkie - Autographs Hockey Forum

I added the Gordie Howe to my collection after visiting a card show over the weekend. I had seen these cards before, but figured they were some type of insert and not their own set on here. There's nothing Parkhurst mentioned on the card at all and I can't seem to find anything on my own. The cards even say there's 14 in total, but the checklist here has a 15th extra, and from this other forum they mentioned a 16th one. Know clue what could be accurate then. Thanks for any help, leads, and info!

Edit: I also noticed that the year cannot be right, as some of these players passed away before 2001, 1998 being the earliest.

Researching. The year could still be right. These could have been done up years prior, but not released until 01/02. But, as I said, researching. Of course, I'm not a hockey expect so....

These cards do not appear to have been produced under the Parkhurst brand, nor do they seem to be licenced. The autographs appear authentic, but they year of production is suspect. I've been on EBay since 1998 and I don't recall seeing these listed for sale until a few years ago. If they were a licenced product that was distrubuted in 2001-02, they would have appearred in one or more "Price Guides".  I do not know who produced them or when. There was mention that the cards come from Walmart repacks.

In 2001-02 the Parkhurst name was licensed to In The Game.  These have no copyright and look 100% unlicensed. That's even supported by PSA.  They have them as just "Trading Card", no year or company.  They just authenticate the autograph.  IMHO, this set should be removed since they use "Parkie", part of the Parkhurst trademark name. If not, "Parkhurst" must be removed from the set name since they're not an In The Game product.  In case anyone's wondering, PSA is just authenticating the autograph. They don't grade unknown unlicensed cards.

From an old sports card forum post it seems they would be unlicensed cards from Brian Price. Couldn't look at the second linked image, but I get the idea. Which makes the print run even less for each card if some were being used for cut autos in his later cards. Dave & Adams had a good deal on some of them and I couldn't let that pass. I love collecting autos of old time players.

https://www.sportscardforum.com/threads/1150179-2001-Pre-Parkie-Autographs

If we look at this promo card listed it does mention 14 autographs to collect, which builds of of the idea that Price was tying to create a set. Set never made it, and his cards slipped through the cracks. This complete set can be bought off Steel City Collectibles for a few bucks and even mentions in their listing "was never issued in a Parkhurst product".
https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/253818/cid/15679845/2001-02-Parkhurst-Pre-Parkie-Promo-1-Bobby-Bauer

Not to derail the topic but I believe this has been a specific service level from PSA in the past where they didn't/wouldn't acknowledge the card when authenticating the autograph and in fact I think it might be the standard going forward without additional cost (I thought I had seen that somewhere but could be wrong). My only point is a PSA example where the card details aren't on the flip isn't a confirmation of a card's validity in and of itself. Carry on!

I know some Woody Dumart pre-Parkies have been used as redemption on 2001-02 Parkhurst Autograph Set (https://www.tcdb.com/Checklist.cfm/sid/50137)

He died before he could sign the 01-02 cards, so they used pre-Parkies with a green contour like the other cards of the set (https://www.sportscards.com/item/2001-02-itg-bap-parkhurst-vintage-autograph-card-woody-dumart/293027169869).

His redemption card (https://www.sportscards.com/item/2001-02-parkhurst-vintage-none-autograph-redemption-pa09-woody-dumart-20/203080275955).

"slipped through the cracks", as in either backdoored (stolen) or he sold them off.  But thinking about it, it does seem Price was working on a set.  He printed the cards to get signed.  It would seem probable he left off the serial numbers and copyright line until all the cards were returned. Once the whole set was ready for release he could add the serial numbers and copyright line.  But without serial numbers and copyright, it definitely seems they were NEVER ready for official release.