1996 97 Select Hockey Card Appraisal

Paul Kariya 1996-97 Select Hockey Card (Slabbed)

This item is a 1996-97 Select hockey trading card featuring player Paul Kariya, encased in a hard plastic slab protective holder. The card itself appears to be of standard trading card dimensions, likely around 2.5 by 3.5 inches, and is primarily made of cardstock. The front of the card features a vibrant action shot of Paul Kariya in his Mighty Ducks of Anaheim jersey, with the number '9' visible on his sleeve. He is depicted in a skating pose, holding a hockey stick. The colors of the jersey are dark green, jade green, and eggplant purple, outlined in a striking gold border that separates the player image from the brushed silver background. The card is titled 'SELECT '96 SERIES' at the top left, and Paul Kariya's name is prominently displayed at the bottom in an elegant, flowing script. There are visible signs of aging or wear on the card's surface, particularly a slight dullness or oxidation on the silver background, consistent with a metallic or holographic finish from that era. A small white rectangular sticker with '10.00promo' is affixed to the top right corner of the plastic slab, indicating a possible promotional price or a previous retail listing. The hard plastic slab appears to be in good condition, offering robust protection, though some minor scuffs or dust may be present on its surface, as is common with handling. The overall craftsmanship of the card itself, specifically the sharp printing and the distinct player outline, suggests a high-quality product for its time. This card is representative of the mid-1990s hockey card collecting boom.