96-97 Metal Universe Ice Carvings Super Power Print Run?

[MoonChala]

Wondering if anyone here has an idea regarding the print run for these cards? From what I remember they were retail-only and were something like 1:240 packs but not 100% on that. Couldn't find much info online despite my best google attempts.

The PSA pop count is very low, only 25 cards graded total out of the whole 12 card set. I'm thinking around 100 each? Maybe even 50? Feel like the demand for these would be crazy if they were serial #'d and I think this set is a bit underrated due to that. To me, these were the closest thing hockey got to PMG's (until the 2012 set, that is). If anyone has any of the Super Power inserts (including Lethal Weapons, Armor Plates, or Cool Steel) and would like to share I'd love to see them! Probably my favorite memory of ripping packs as a kid was the time I pulled a Jagr and a Kariya Lethal Weapon Super Powers in back-to-back packs from my LCS. Still have them after all these years.

[NotGoSportsBall]

I have a Mogilny LWSP. Super cool set. Probably a lot of people don’t know that Ice Carvings was already a set in 1997 before UD lazily just rehashed it this year.

[penguinsChief]

Weren't some of these from that year retail only? If so that makes them even harder from back then to find.

[HansViktor]

It's correct Ice Carvings Super Power was retail only and 1:240.

Very difficult to speculate about the print run. 100 could be an accurate guess. They don't show up often. I think 50 is too low. If so the big names should demand higher prices when they rarely surface. After all I believe it's a popular set even if it's not serial numbered. Nobody could possibly dislike the design of these.

But I agree the set is underrated. Maybe it lack some star power in the chosen players? Of the 12 players, I'd say that half don't have that much hobby love.

Anyway, here's some from my collection. The pic isn't the best at showing the refractor effect but they're all Super Powers. I could take a pic with better light in case someone is interested.

I have 11 of the 12 cards. Only missing Lemieux. Would be interested to acquire it if someone has a copy. Have a lot of nice 90s traders.

[MoonChala]

Originally Posted by NotGoSportsBall

I have a Mogilny LWSP. Super cool set. Probably a lot of people don’t know that Ice Carvings was already a set in 1997 before UD lazily just rehashed it this year.

Nice! Mogilny was a beast. Would be a really fun set to try to complete. I agree, looks like UD just made a shittier acetate version that most collectors won't care about since it's such a common insert. Haven't seen them in hand yet so maybe I'm underselling them a bit but I think it's safe to say that they kinda dropped the ball. To me this is an iconic set and one of the best looking 90's hockey inserts, period.

[MoonChala]

Originally Posted by HansViktor

It's correct Ice Carvings Super Power was retail only and 1:240.

Very difficult to speculate about the print run. 100 could be an accurate guess. They don't show up often. I think 50 is too low. If so the big names should demand higher prices when they rarely surface. After all I believe it's a popular set even if it's not serial numbered. Nobody could possibly dislike the design of these.

But I agree the set is underrated. Maybe it lack some star power in the chosen players? Of the 12 players, I'd say that half don't have that much hobby love.

Anyway, here's some from my collection. The pic isn't the best at showing the refractor effect but they're all Super Powers. I could take a pic with better light in case someone is interested.

I have 11 of the 12 cards. Only missing Lemieux. Would be interested to acquire it if someone has a copy. Have a lot of nice 90s traders.

Beautiful collection! How long did that take you to put together? I knew someone on BO would come through. Thanks for confirming the odds, btw. Love that Fedorov and Jagr in particular. Ever consider grading any of them? They look to be in good shape but hard to truly tell from a pic of course. Seems like they'd be a tough grade overall. Was pretty shocked to see not one but two Marios gem'd. Speaking of, good luck finding the Lemieux! Would love to see you get that last piece of the set. I'll keep an eye out.

I think you're spot on about the star power or lack thereof holding it back. Wish they'd stacked it with guys like Yzerman, Hull, Lindros, Teemu, Roy, Hasek, and Gretzky. Could've been an all-time great set but still awesome regardless. I also can't believe they only put Gretzky in the Lethal Weapons set and they used the most hilariously terrible picture of him to boot. Looks like he either saw a ghost or walked (skated?) in on his wife getting piped. I've considered chasing that set but the prospect of dropping hundreds of dollars on that goofy picture kills some of my motivation.

[HansViktor]

Originally Posted by MoonChala

Beautiful collection! How long did that take you to put together?

It went quite fast. This was before the pandemic and the 10 first card I picked up in a couple of months I believe. The Sakic was tougher to track down for a decent price and now it's only Lemieux left. But I timed a bigger selling on ebay where one person sold 8-9 of these and I think I won like 5 of them.

Originally Posted by MoonChala

I knew someone on BO would come through. Thanks for confirming the odds, btw. Love that Fedorov and Jagr in particular.

Jagr is my favorite in the set as well That one was listed as regular and I took a chance at it as it was not obvious it was the SP version on the pics.

Originally Posted by MoonChala

Ever consider grading any of them? They look to be in good shape but hard to truly tell from a pic of course. Seems like they'd be a tough grade overall. Was pretty shocked to see not one but two Marios gem'd. Speaking of, good luck finding the Lemieux! Would love to see you get that last piece of the set. I'll keep an eye out.

I don't have much interest in the grading business so they will probably remain as they are.

Thanks for keeping an eye out. Not many Lemieux surface unfortunately.

Originally Posted by MoonChala

I think you're spot on about the star power or lack thereof holding it back. Wish they'd stacked it with guys like Yzerman, Hull, Lindros, Teemu, Roy, Hasek, and Gretzky. Could've been an all-time great set but still awesome regardless.

Agree. Nothing wrong with players like LaFontaine, Leetch, Mogilny, Coffey but they are some tiers below. Would have been great with some more super stars in the set but on the other hand then more cards would be as tough as Lemieux to find and maybe make the set nearly impossible to put together.

Originally Posted by MoonChala

I also can't believe they only put Gretzky in the Lethal Weapons set and they used the most hilariously terrible picture of him to boot. Looks like he either saw a ghost or walked (skated?) in on his wife getting piped. I've considered chasing that set but the prospect of dropping hundreds of dollars on that goofy picture kills some of my motivation.

hehe yes that's not one of his most flattering pics

[Starman101]

Awesome set

Not only are they rare case hits but the ICSPs are embossed as well

If anyone said this is nicest looking 90s inserts set I don't think I could disagree with them

In hand these cards GLOW

[NotGoSportsBall]

Originally Posted by Starman101

Awesome set

Not only are they rare case hits but the ICSPs are embossed as well

If anyone said this is nicest looking 90s inserts set I don't think I could disagree with them

In hand these cards GLOW

It’s up there for sure. Others I would include are the 1999 UD Hologrfx Golds and the Finest Mystery Refractors.

[NotGoSportsBall]

Originally Posted by MoonChala

Nice! Mogilny was a beast. Would be a really fun set to try to complete. I agree, looks like UD just made a shittier acetate version that most collectors won't care about since it's such a common insert. Haven't seen them in hand yet so maybe I'm underselling them a bit but I think it's safe to say that they kinda dropped the ball. To me this is an iconic set and one of the best looking 90's hockey inserts, period.

Don’t suppose you know the odds/print run of any of the Pinnacle “Rink” variations from the mid 90s, or the 1997 black diamond print runs - single vs double vs triple.

Amazing how hard it is to find this info still.

[WallyatJCCards]

Originally Posted by NotGoSportsBall

Don’t suppose you know the odds/print run of any of the Pinnacle “Rink” variations from the mid 90s, or the 1997 black diamond print runs - single vs double vs triple.

Amazing how hard it is to find this info still.

Google box is of no help?

[MoonChala]

Originally Posted by HansViktor

Jagr is my favorite in the set as well That one was listed as regular and I took a chance at it as it was not obvious it was the SP version on the pics.

I don't have much interest in the grading business so they will probably remain as they are.

Awesome score on that Jagr! I bet there have been quite a few of these super powers sold as regular inserts since you have to be somewhat familiar with the set to know the super powers have a refractor finish as they're not marked differently than the regulars. I pulled two Super Lethal Weapon's as a kid and couldn't actually confirm they were Supers until years later when I compared them to ones on eBay.

I'm with you on grading for the most part, such a racket. One thing I like about it is that it takes some of the guess work out of buying singles, I've been burned a few times buying cards that looked good in pictures but have surface issues in hand. That said I've seen high grades with damage that the grader clearly missed before, too. But yeah, I feel like the price difference between a PSA 9 and 10 is absolutely ludicrous in most cases, especially with modern stuff.

Originally Posted by Starman101

Awesome set

Not only are they rare case hits but the ICSPs are embossed as well

If anyone said this is nicest looking 90s inserts set I don't think I could disagree with them

In hand these cards GLOW

Totally agreed! I've always felt like this set didn't get enough love, glad to see others here appreciate it. They're definitely up there with some of the best 90's inserts. I'd put them in the same tier as Certified Mirror Gold's, Finest Refractors, Bowman Atomics, and Epix Emerald's.

Originally Posted by NotGoSportsBall

Don’t suppose you know the odds/print run of any of the Pinnacle “Rink” variations from the mid 90s, or the 1997 black diamond print runs - single vs double vs triple.

Amazing how hard it is to find this info still.

Feel like the Rink Collection inserts were pretty common unless there's a rare variant I don't know of. You thinking of Artist's Proofs? Same with the single, double, and triple black diamonds, as far as '97 goes I'm pretty sure the doubles were one per pack and the triples were 1:3. Gotta be thousands upon thousands of those. The quads were very rare and I believe they're serial #'d to 50. There's a box on eBay that has pics of the odds on the side that confirms this.

[NotGoSportsBall]

Good call on how to find those. So the Rink parallels are sort of similar to the S1/S2 canvas inserts.

[Archangel1775]

Ironic, I was reading through and old Tuff Stuff that ended in 1999/00 and saw this set parallel with a multiplier of 2x to 4x perusing through it.

[HansViktor]

Just an update on this as I finally got my Lemieux and completed the Metal Ice Carvings SP set.

[OGColl]

I remember these Ice Carvings, and it was a set that I had considered chasing, but didn't. They are a nice set.

After being away from the hobby, I've retired and come back to see if I can finish off the several parallel sets I was close to completing. These include the 94-95 Rink Collection set, which I'm within 3 cards of completing. As I recall, the 2nd series "redemption" card and requirement to mail in the redemption card in order to get the actual , World Jr. card returned was a challenge that kept those cards in a short print sort of realm. This same 94-95 Rink set got a boost of sorts when the Patrick Kane childhood card of Sylvain Turgeon turned up and shot up demand for that card.

I also enjoyed several other parallel sets, having completed the 92-93 Topps Gold set, 95-96 Select Mirror Gold set, 95-96 Finest Refactor Set, 96-97 Score Golden Blades and 96-97 Donruss Canadian Ice Red Set. Still a few cards away from the 94-95 Finest Refractor Set, 95-96 O-Pee-Chee set and the probably never going to find the #549 John Druce ssp for the 94-95 O-Pee-Chee Special Effects set.

At one time I was trying to complete the 96-97 Flair Blue Ice Set (all cards serial # to 250) and the 94-95 Pinnacle Artist Proof set, but abandoned the cause.

I know the cards were over-produced then, but when you look at these sets and the incredible number of HOF's and all-time scoring leaders that were routinely in these sets, it's hard to not think of that era as something never to be repeated.

[Gallinator]

Originally Posted by OGColl

I remember these Ice Carvings, and it was a set that I had considered chasing, but didn't. They are a nice set.

After being away from the hobby, I've retired and come back to see if I can finish off the several parallel sets I was close to completing. These include the 94-95 Rink Collection set, which I'm within 3 cards of completing. As I recall, the 2nd series "redemption" card and requirement to mail in the redemption card in order to get the actual , World Jr. card returned was a challenge that kept those cards in a short print sort of realm. This same 94-95 Rink set got a boost of sorts when the Patrick Kane childhood card of Sylvain Turgeon turned up and shot up demand for that card.

I also enjoyed several other parallel sets, having completed the 92-93 Topps Gold set, 95-96 Select Mirror Gold set, 95-96 Finest Refactor Set, 96-97 Score Golden Blades and 96-97 Donruss Canadian Ice Red Set. Still a few cards away from the 94-95 Finest Refractor Set, 95-96 O-Pee-Chee set and the probably never going to find the #549 John Druce ssp for the 94-95 O-Pee-Chee Special Effects set.

At one time I was trying to complete the 96-97 Flair Blue Ice Set (all cards serial # to 250) and the 94-95 Pinnacle Artist Proof set, but abandoned the cause.

I know the cards were over-produced then, but when you look at these sets and the incredible number of HOF's and all-time scoring leaders that were routinely in these sets, it's hard to not think of that era as something never to be repeated.

Blue Ice was the first parallel set I ever completed, still have it and love the look of those cards!

[MoonChala]

Originally Posted by HansViktor

Just an update on this as I finally got my Lemieux and completed the Metal Ice Carvings SP set.

So awesome! Absolutely beautiful set. I only have the Jagr, am on the lookout for the Lemieux to join him. Maybe Fedorov, too. Thank you for sharing your collection.

Originally Posted by OGColl

I remember these Ice Carvings, and it was a set that I had considered chasing, but didn't. They are a nice set.

After being away from the hobby, I've retired and come back to see if I can finish off the several parallel sets I was close to completing. These include the 94-95 Rink Collection set, which I'm within 3 cards of completing. As I recall, the 2nd series "redemption" card and requirement to mail in the redemption card in order to get the actual , World Jr. card returned was a challenge that kept those cards in a short print sort of realm. This same 94-95 Rink set got a boost of sorts when the Patrick Kane childhood card of Sylvain Turgeon turned up and shot up demand for that card.

I also enjoyed several other parallel sets, having completed the 92-93 Topps Gold set, 95-96 Select Mirror Gold set, 95-96 Finest Refactor Set, 96-97 Score Golden Blades and 96-97 Donruss Canadian Ice Red Set. Still a few cards away from the 94-95 Finest Refractor Set, 95-96 O-Pee-Chee set and the probably never going to find the #549 John Druce ssp for the 94-95 O-Pee-Chee Special Effects set.

At one time I was trying to complete the 96-97 Flair Blue Ice Set (all cards serial # to 250) and the 94-95 Pinnacle Artist Proof set, but abandoned the cause.

I know the cards were over-produced then, but when you look at these sets and the incredible number of HOF's and all-time scoring leaders that were routinely in these sets, it's hard to not think of that era as something never to be repeated.

I've never attempted a full set build like that, must be fun tracking down those last few hard to find ones. Completing the 95-96 finest refractor set is really impressive, are you talking about all the refractors or just the bronze ones? Really want to pick up the Jagr Sterling refractor but it's not cheap.

Originally Posted by Gallinator

Blue Ice was the first parallel set I ever completed, still have it and love the look of those cards!

That is an awesome set, I'd like to pick up the Jagr at some point, lost out on a recent auction of one.

[HansViktor]

Originally Posted by MoonChala

So awesome! Absolutely beautiful set. I only have the Jagr, am on the lookout for the Lemieux to join him. Maybe Fedorov, too. Thank you for sharing your collection.

Thanks for the comments. I traded for the Lemieux. Felt I needed to as not many hits ebay or other sale sites. All others surface once and a while but Lemieux is really really unusual to see. I hope you can find a copy as well to go with the Jagr. The value on Lemieux is probably around $300 nowadays.

[OGColl]

Originally Posted by MoonChala

So awesome! Absolutely beautiful set. I only have the Jagr, am on the lookout for the Lemieux to join him. Maybe Fedorov, too. Thank you for sharing your collection.



I've never attempted a full set build like that, must be fun tracking down those last few hard to find ones. Completing the 95-96 finest refractor set is really impressive, are you talking about all the refractors or just the bronze ones? Really want to pick up the Jagr Sterling refractor but it's not cheap.



That is an awesome set, I'd like to pick up the Jagr at some point, lost out on a recent auction of one.

I was able to complete the entire set (1-191) with bronze, silver and gold refractors to the set. Still working on the 94-95 Finest Refractor set, with only one card left (#64 Michal Grosek). Still working on a few others from the period as well.

[bgoldin]

There seems to be a lot more of these being offered on eBay recently.

[Satan]

Originally Posted by bgoldin

There seems to be a lot more of these being offered on eBay recently.

I wonder why

[bgoldin]

I'm trying to delete this post because it's been posted multiple times.

Any ideas?

The new Metal Universe has been out of a couple years. Maybe it's lagging its popularity?

[bgoldin]

Originally Posted by Satan

I wonder why

Any ideas?

The new Metal Universe has been out of a couple years. Maybe it's lagging its popularity?

[Satan]

Originally Posted by bgoldin

Any ideas?

The new Metal Universe has been out of a couple years. Maybe it's lagging its popularity?

People have been pumping "scarce" or serial #'d 90s hockey cards for the past couple years on socials. I guess now it's time to dump it and find new insert sets to inflate.