Jari Kurri
Date of Birth: 5/18/1960
Rookie Card Year: 1981-82
Investment Rating: 6.5
Overview
There is still plenty of upside for Jari Kurricards and autographed memorabilia. Most sports fans and collectors are familiar with the dynasty that the Edmonton Oilers experienced during the 1980s. Led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, the team won five Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1990. Often over-shadowed by these two titans of the sport, the truth of the matter is that Jari Kurri was another integral part of the team's success.
Kurri was selected with the 69th overall pick in the NHL Draft in 1980. When he was paired on the same line with the young Wayne Gretzky, the two just clicked. They formed one of the most amazing scoring tandems the sport has ever seen. Kurri scored over 600 goals during career, more than half of which came off of Gretzky assists. Kurri was the first Finnish-born player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jari Kurri's official rookie cards can be found in 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee and 1981-82 Topps. Prior to that, Kurri was part of the 1978-79 Finnish League set. Hist first cataloged collectible here in the States is one of the 1980-81 Pepsi Cola Caps.
With regards to Jari Kurri's autographed memorabilia, he is popular on single-signed items, especially since a member of the 500 Goal Club. However, his more valuable items are team-signed items from those dynasty days. No Edmonton Oilers team signed piece from that era is considered complete without Kurri's signature. Other popular signature items showcase Gretzky and Messier along with his signature on everything from stick and pucks to jerseys and photographs.
Jari Kurri Rookie Cards
1981-82 O-Pee-Chee Jari Kurri RC #107
Featuring the customary bilingual text, Jari Kurri's O-Pee-Chee rookie card is otherwise identical to his Topps card. It pictures a young Kurri skating in practice. The simple design allows for the player image to dominate the card's landscape. This is the more popular and valuable card of the two.
1981-82 Topps Jari Kurri RC #18
Topps just doesn't seem to get the same amount of love as O-Pee-Chee when it comes to hockey cards. This helps make this Jari Kurri rookie card extremely affordable.
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Autograph Guide
Jari Kurri Autographed Memorabilia Guide
Below you will find an example of what Jari Kurri's authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Reputable authentication companies include JSA, PSA, Steiner Sports and Mounted Memories to name a few. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Jari Kurri Cut Signature Exemplar
Jari Kurri Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Jari Kurri signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for, at least some of, the following signature features:
- A simple signature defined by the letters "J" and "K."
- The "J" is very unique starting on the far left the pen makes almost an egg shape before the turn back line comes up vertically forming a very narrow elongated look.
- The letter "a" is not closed a very small "r" follows, the pen lifts to write a small "i" which is dotted.
- The "K" is the only letter of the last name, the letter starts with a long vertical line on a 60 degree angle, the crossing lines consist of a long line that tails down to the left and forms a small circle before looping back with a shorter line.
Jari Kurri Signed Puck Pricing:
Active Listings for Jari Kurri Signed Pucks
Jari Kurri Signed Jersey Pricing:
Active Listings for Jari Kurri Signed Jerseys
Jari Kurri Signed Stick Pricing:
Active Listings for Jari Kurri Signed Sticks
Jari Kurri Signed Photograph Pricing:
Active Listings for Jari Kurri Signed Photographs
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More Info
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