Founded by two entrepreneurial brothers, O-Pee-Chee gained fame for its signature trading cards packaged with a stick of bubble gum.
Origins
O-Pee-Chee Gum Company was founded in 1911 by brothers Duncan McDermid and John McDermid in London, Ontario, Canada.
Early Days
The brothers got their start in business in 1910 when they purchased Somerville Paper Box Limited, a division of their employer’s established gum business.
O-Pee-Chee is an Ojibwe word meaning “the Robin”.
The first O-Pee-Chee product was Gipsy Gum, a chewing gum sold in paper wrappers for one cent.
Expanding Interests
In 1928, the company built a manufacturing facility to accommodate growing demand for its gum, mints, and candy around the world.
Through a series of partnerships, O-Pee-Chee expanded its candy and novelties business.
O-Pee-Chee began producing trading cards during the mid-1930s, starting with baseball, hockey, and Mickey Mouse versions. By the 1950s, the trading card business gained significant momentum thanks in part to an agreement with the American firm, Topps Company.
Soon, O-Pee-Chee began including gum in its packs of trading cards.
Staying Relevant
O-Pee-Chee released trading cards for sports teams including NHL, NHLPA, MLB, CFL, and entertainment franchises including Charlie’s Angels, Happy Days, Superman, Star Wars, The Beatles, and others.
Legacy
In 1996, O-Pee-Chee was purchased by Nestlé.
The Topps Company and The Upper Deck Company continue to license the O-Pee-Chee name for their trading cards.
Select original O-Pee-Chee cards and sets command top-dollar at collector events and auctions, often selling for five-figure prices.
