Georges Vezina Hockey Card #38 - Proof
Imperial Tobacco - 1911

Perhaps no other C55 proof is as distinctive as that of Georges Vezina. From the detail and clarity in Vezina's face, hair, and jersey to the evident variation of the background stippling, this proof almost appears to be a wholly different card from the one that was issued in cigarette packs. It is more refined and better approximates the original photo of Vezina that was also used to create his Sweet Caporal postcard. In addition to the most evident differences, there are faint registration marks near two of the corners and the text on the reverse side has narrower lines.

Seventeen different C55 Proofs have recently been discovered and are now encapsulated by SGC (Sportscard Guaranty, LLC.) and PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). These distinct cards were created by Imperial Tobacco in Toronto in 1911 to test both the printing process as well as to further refine each card before production. To date, they are the only C55 proof cards known.

They include:

#4 Joe Malone (RC, HOF), #6 Tom Dunderdale (HOF), #13 Alex Currie, #17 Jack Darragh (HOF), #19 Don Smith, #22 Larry Gilmour, #26 Skein Ronan, #28 Ernie Johnson (HOF), #29 Jack Marshall (HOF), #30 Harry Hyland (HOF), #31 Arthur Ross (HOF), #33 Gordon Roberts (HOF), #35 Ernest Russell (HOF), #37 James Gardiner (HOF), #38 Georges Vezina (RC, HOF), #40 Rocket Power, and #45 Jack Laviolette

MORE DETAILS about this Hockey card can be learned at http://c55proofs.com/