Photography, T. Melichárek, HC Sparta

Product detailed description

condition: found, good

dimension: 9 cm x 12,5 cm

Sparta’s sponsor-packed hockey era in a single shot! A colour club photo card of HC Sparta Praha with an action portrait of player Tibor Melichárek in the classic maroon shirt with yellow and white stripes. The shirt and helmet carry the logos of partners Siemens, ČEZ, Volkswagen, Eltodo, Tipsport, O2 and Proma, with an Easton stick. A large club S sits bottom right, the player’s name below. The kind of card the club gave fans and used at signing sessions. A fine piece for collectors of Sparta and the Czech Extraliga in the late 2000s.

Facts at a glance

• Item: colour club photo card (player photograph), unsigned
• Player: Tibor Melichárek (name printed on the card)
• Club: HC Sparta Praha, ice hockey
• Shirt: maroon with yellow and white stripes, Sparta crest on the sleeve
• Sponsors on shirt and helmet: Siemens, ČEZ, Volkswagen, Eltodo, Tipsport, O2, Proma, Hi-Tec
• Equipment: Easton stick
• Date: 2006 at the earliest (based on the O2 logo)

Expert note – FAQ

What are club player photo cards?
Club photo cards are player photos with the club logo and name, issued by clubs for fans. They are handed out at signing sessions, at matches or in the fan shop, and players often sign them. For collectors they document the squad in a particular season.

How can a hockey photo be dated from its sponsors?
Sponsor logos on shirts and helmets changed almost every season, so they help date player photos. For example, the O2 brand appeared in the Czech Republic in 2006, so a photo with the O2 logo on the helmet was taken in that year at the earliest.

Is it worth buying an unsigned photo card?
An unsigned photo card is ideal if you want to have it signed by the player. Signed cards are worth more to collectors, but unsigned cards are also sought after because they complete a set of players from one club and season.