Home Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Snagged A Few Special Items On National Day 1 PLUS A BUNCH OF BBCE BOOTH PHOTOS OF UNOPENED

Was disappointed I could not exhibit this year, but at least I could attend a few of the days and see friends (and find a little more to add to my collection).

Day 1 was not a huge day by volume for me. I only got 2 items (both at BBCE), but they were special for me:

1) 1970 Topps Cello Pack Series 6, PSA 9 with Mays on Top

You all know my obsession with the 1970 set, so the second I saw this one in Steve's case I knew it was going to be mine.

image

2) 1962 Topps Cello Pack Series 1, ungraded with Gil Hodges on Top

I've explained my personal connection to Gil in prior posts, so to see a 50+ year old unopened pack with Gil on top in Steve's case was
really an emotional moment for me.

image

And here are a few dozen shots of what the BBCE 2000 square ft. booth looked like (before things started being sold off like wildfire). ENJOY.

image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image






Dave
«13

Comments

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,480 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome pics, Dave!! Thanks for posting them!


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow Dave - compared to what's on his web - this is like nirvana!

    Nice pickups too!

    Thanx for taking the time to share.

    2K for a 79T wax box? A few years ago one could've had a box for around 300 bucks all day long.
    Mike
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow Dave - compared to what's on his web - this is like nirvana!

    Nice pickups too!

    Thanx for taking the time to share.

    2K for a 79T wax box? A few years ago one could've had a box for around 300 bucks all day long. >>



    Mike, you can get 2 wax TRAYS for about $300 now....(and hopefully we will....LOL)


    Dave
  • mikelowell25mikelowell25 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭
    Dave, did steve have any vintage unopened 50's or 60's wax packs (graded or raw) for sale that arent currently on his website??? Thanks!!
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,220 ✭✭
    Dave ... thanks for sharing. Some awesome pictures!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • 60sfan60sfan Posts: 311 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for all the photos........a lot of wax that is not for sale on the website........the '86 Football boxes have been moving slowly- I wonder if Steve took some of those boxes to Cleveland
  • I just LOVE this time of the year! Great pics, thank you!image

    Will BBCE add a lot of these items to their website when they return?
  • lahmejoonlahmejoon Posts: 1,666 ✭✭✭
    I messed my pants. Awesome, awesome stuff!
  • Unbelievable prices! Looks like one of the 86 Fleer Basketball wax boxes sold, an earlier picture showed two!
  • Mecca!!
  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
    thanks for taking the time to take and post the pics.

    My guess is most if not all of that stuff will never make it back to the store
  • RookieHOFersRookieHOFers Posts: 733 ✭✭✭
    Dave, I thought you said 72 cello pack, not a 62 cello. Double WOW! Great pics, thanks for taking them and posting.
    Matt
    I collect: 80’s Rookies and 86 Fleer Basketball
  • yankeeno7yankeeno7 Posts: 9,243 ✭✭✭
    While it's cool stuff, I still SMH at the prices. Unopened is at completely ridiculous prices. That is not a slam at BBCE. That's my opinion of the unopened market in general.
  • Big80sBig80s Posts: 2,758 ✭✭✭
    Great photos - thank you so much for sharing the experience.
    Let's Rip It: PackGeek.com
    Jeff
  • Time4aGansettTime4aGansett Posts: 382 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the photos. Wish I was there.

    BBCE has posted 101 photos of their booth on their Facebook page. In case anyone hadn't noticed! Great stuff.
  • MikeyPMikeyP Posts: 986 ✭✭✭
    Great photos. Thanks for posting them.
    "Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."
  • baz518baz518 Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭✭
    Absolutely awesome, thanks a ton for the pics! Now if anyone is willing to pick up a 1976 Topps BB pack and/or those 1978 Topps BK packs... PM me and we can work out the details!
  • bziddybziddy Posts: 710 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I just LOVE this time of the year! Great pics, thank you!image

    Will BBCE add a lot of these items to their website when they return? >>



    They have in past years. I'm already counting my change in the event that one of the 12 or so things I want make it back from national.
  • belzbelz Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for posting all of those great pictures and congratulations on those amazing packs!!!
    "Wots Uh The Deal" by Pink Floyd
  • hammeredhammered Posts: 2,671 ✭✭✭
    I saw those prices too and I am amazed at how much 76 vending and 77 wax go for now
    2600-3500
    It really doesn't seem that long ago when I was buying both of these in the 250-350 range
  • jgrigalijgrigali Posts: 364 ✭✭
    Thanks for the pics, that nu-card cello box looks like the most "unique" thing this year!

    Awesome! Totally jealous of you guys as I waste away in my office at work!
  • TabeTabe Posts: 5,920 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is that a 52 topps pack I see in one of the pics?
  • Baez578Baez578 Posts: 967 ✭✭✭
    great pics! Thanks for sharing
  • MantleFan23MantleFan23 Posts: 686 ✭✭✭✭
    Awesome pickups with the 70 cello and 62 pack. I remember you posting in a thread about Gil, so I can imagine your eyes lit up when you saw that cello pack!! Congrats!

    Also, thanks for sharing the pics!

    Jeremy
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭
    Question and by asking I don't mean to imply that what they are doing is the wrong way to do things but why does BBCE hang on to so much stuff and save it for the national? There has to be a reason other than ego (I hope). But it seems strange to keep some of that very pricy material in storage for X amount of months rather than getting that money X amount of months ago and putting it into new product and moving that cycle along quicker.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,480 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Question and by asking I don't mean to imply that what they are doing is the wrong way to do things but why does BBCE hang on to so much stuff and save it for the national? There has to be a reason other than ego (I hope). But it seems strange to keep some of that very pricy material in storage for X amount of months rather than getting that money X amount of months ago and putting it into new product and moving that cycle along quicker. >>



    I wouldnt presume to speak for Steve, but The National is their biggest event of the year by far and as the premiere dealer for vintage unopened product, you want to have a wide and impressive array of product for the event.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭✭
    I would also point out that some of what is available at the
    BBCE booth is consigned items, not inventory. I know some
    consigners desire that their items be offered at the show.

    Prices at the show tend to be a it stronger.


    Dave
  • lahmejoonlahmejoon Posts: 1,666 ✭✭✭
    BBCE just posted about 100 photos on ebay. Talk about unopened porn! Amazing display of items.
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭✭
    Sellers do tend to get better prices at the National. Dealers hate when you compare their show prices to ebay prices. It's a totally different market.
  • DM23HOFDM23HOF Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Any great card pics or are we just getting "clothes-on" shots image Let's see some Ruths, Micks, Shoeless Joes!

    Instagram: mattyc_collection

  • bziddybziddy Posts: 710 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Question and by asking I don't mean to imply that what they are doing is the wrong way to do things but why does BBCE hang on to so much stuff and save it for the national? There has to be a reason other than ego (I hope). But it seems strange to keep some of that very pricy material in storage for X amount of months rather than getting that money X amount of months ago and putting it into new product and moving that cycle along quicker. >>



    I wouldnt presume to speak for Steve, but The National is their biggest event of the year by far and as the premiere dealer for vintage unopened product, you want to have a wide and impressive array of product for the event. >>



    I think the challenge is getting the new product to cycle in. I seem to remember a comment somewhere by Reed several months back that they were already setting product aside for national. So that might be 6 months of cherry picking to get that kind of inventory.
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Question and by asking I don't mean to imply that what they are doing is the wrong way to do things but why does BBCE hang on to so much stuff and save it for the national? There has to be a reason other than ego (I hope). But it seems strange to keep some of that very pricy material in storage for X amount of months rather than getting that money X amount of months ago and putting it into new product and moving that cycle along quicker. >>


    I think the problem is finding new product, not needing the money to cycle in. Consider the storage cost as their advertising budget. An impressive display at National probably attracts new customers throughout the year from all over the country and further extends their reach beyond the Chicagoland area.

    I understand they're well known on this forum and probably among hardcore unopened collectors elsewhere, but to be honest, I'd never heard of them until I joined this forum. I'm sure it's the same for many who are visiting the National for the first time.
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭
    All good points
  • jmoran19jmoran19 Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭
    Awesome 1970 cello!! I foresee a Willie Mays in the first group of 11 cards image

    and $24K for a 1971 series 2 box, WOW!!! that is 1k per. He is advertising buying them at 12K. I have 18 mint packs from a box I bought years ago, anyone want some at $600 per LOL

    Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972

  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,290 ✭✭✭
    Wow! Thanks for sharing. The Mays pack is really nice. I wish I was there to see the BBCE booth in person.
  • esquiresportsesquiresports Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Any great card pics or are we just getting "clothes-on" shots image Let's see some Ruths, Micks, Shoeless Joes! >>



    You crack me up. Here's a pic from the National I know you'll appreciate (I'm not there but someone I know sent this along)...

    image
    Always buying 1971 OPC Baseball packs.
  • DM23HOFDM23HOF Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is the best picture ever taken in the history of earth. Almost century old Ruthian cardboard right there-- one of those 8s alone would hammer for God knows in this market.

    (And my 1.5 is still nicer front than the Herpolsheimer and Delgado! image )

    Instagram: mattyc_collection

  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Is that a 52 topps pack I see in one of the pics? >>



    1954, I believe.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,480 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Is that a 52 topps pack I see in one of the pics? >>



    1954, I believe. >>



    Yes, 1954.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow!

    That's a lota cardboard crack! image
    Mike
  • lahmejoonlahmejoon Posts: 1,666 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Awesome 1970 cello!! I foresee a Willie Mays in the first group of 11 cards image

    and $24K for a 1971 series 2 box, WOW!!! that is 1k per. He is advertising buying them at 12K. I have 18 mint packs from a box I bought years ago, anyone want some at $600 per LOL >>



    John, if your offer was for baseball, I'd be all over it! image
  • mikliamiklia Posts: 1,295 ✭✭✭
    wow, those are some pets.com prices, for real. only $800/pack if we want to do a group rip on the 86 bk!

    congrats to Steve and all of those who are profiting from the current price trends. for those buying...well..
  • mikelowell25mikelowell25 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭
    Its a 54 pack but its the canadian topps version with only four cards, not the usual six that were in the u.s packs

    Anyone who was at the show know what grade this pack is????
  • bouncebounce Posts: 1,094 ✭✭✭


    << <i>While it's cool stuff, I still SMH at the prices. Unopened is at completely ridiculous prices. That is not a slam at BBCE. That's my opinion of the unopened market in general. >>



    +1 - while i understand how hard some of this is to find now, there's still got to be some connection to reality in terms of what's potentially housed in the packs.

    at $750 a pack for 86-87 fleer basketball, there's literally no way to recoup your money unless you hit a jordan in every single pack.

    oh sure if you want to argue that the PSA 10 MJ will pull in $10k, fine - but you dropped $30k on a box so you're going to need at least 2 of those PLUS how many other cards in 10s to just break even? think about this way, a PSA 10 SET probably runs somewhere $35-40K, so that's kind of the target area required to make these make any sense based on break.

    obviously people aren't buying these sorts of things to break with any regularity, but I still contend the contents are eventually what have to matter

    i also understand people are paying those prices right now and if you can get it you should, but we've all seen this before many times over - like most collecting trends, this one is eventually going to end very badly for a lot of people

    sure wish i could have been there to see it, though - that display of theirs is unbelievable - how many people have just passed out and fallen down while looking at it, much less catching a deep enough breath to reach for the wallet? image

    have fun folks!
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>While it's cool stuff, I still SMH at the prices. Unopened is at completely ridiculous prices. That is not a slam at BBCE. That's my opinion of the unopened market in general. >>



    +1 - while i understand how hard some of this is to find now, there's still got to be some connection to reality in terms of what's potentially housed in the packs. >>


    Bringing logic and reason into an unopened discussion never ends well in this crowd. I'll take two crisp 79T sets over a 79T wax tray all day, every day and twice on Sunday.
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,866 ✭✭✭
    Bounce- it is very clear that you think unopened is a bad investment and a bad purchase. I have no idea what you collect but I could say the exact same thing about your collection. Your position is logical when speaking about cracking unopened and is completely valid but most of the stuff you are talking about is not being cracked. Some of these boxes from 1975 and newer are being opened for pack breaks but more collectors are picking up boxes to hold for their private collections. I am not sure how you think unopened is any different than graded cards or set building. You have said you think it is going to end badly for those who purchase/collect unopened. I believe that every market will correct itself but things will have to go really wrong for a collapse which you predict. A collapse in the unopened market would not be a good thing for anyone in sportscard market. They are all tied together so we all will lose.
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,480 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've been waiting for two years now for a correction. I'd like to start buying 1970s wax, cello and rack boxes again.

    I understand the argument re sets vs unopened but the comparison is apples and oranges. The inherent value in unopened is inextricably linked to the packaging itself, the state of packs in their unopened state. Why are Star Wars toys in blister packs worth much more than the figure itself even in mint condition? Because of the scarcity of finding that figure in its original state. There's a special magical allure in unopened product that will always appeal to colectors but not all collectors are drawn to that and that's fine, too. The hobby is big enough for all kinds of collectors, even that shiny modern crap. image


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • bouncebounce Posts: 1,094 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Bounce- it is very clear that you think unopened is a bad investment and a bad purchase. I have no idea what you collect but I could say the exact same thing about your collection. Your position is logical when speaking about cracking unopened and is completely valid but most of the stuff you are talking about is not being cracked. Some of these boxes from 1975 and newer are being opened for pack breaks but more collectors are picking up boxes to hold for their private collections. I am not sure how you think unopened is any different than graded cards or set building. You have said you think it is going to end badly for those who purchase/collect unopened. I believe that every market will correct itself but things will have to go really wrong for a collapse which you predict. A collapse in the unopened market would not be a good thing for anyone in sportscard market. They are all tied together so we all will lose. >>



    i don't know that i agree with much of what you said here, so i'll go ahead and be more specific

    i'm not saying that unopened is a bad purchase, there are still some justifiable buys out there for sure and some unopened that i think actually does have good appreciation potential in light of what seems to be going on now. i even get the hundred bucks a pack type of stuff, because it's not enough money quite to discourage the occasional purchase. but for the higher end items, and i'm specifically picking on 86/87 fleer here but i could easily find others, i think it could be very problematic down the road. $750 for a pack is generally outside the budget the majority of collectors especially when you consider the alternative of what it could buy. it won't even require a crash necessarily, liquidity sometimes just dries up - happens all the time. the high end wax is like high end cars or real estate or whatever - there's a small market that can afford it and they sometimes drive prices - until they don't or they're ready to sell.

    i get that most of these aren't getting cracked, what i'm challenging is whether there will be a big enough and sustainable enough market of people who just want to look at these things. yes there's some, but i don't know that there's enough for the long term. how many of us could realistically throw down $20-30k for a box of cards? that market is very small in the grand scheme of things, and let's say that a case or two of 86/87 fleer DOES appear magically one day - you think the $30k is gonna hold? i say no freaking way it will - just 1 case of it could cut those box prices by 20% or more easily, because if there's 1 then there might be another, and another, and so on.

    i think graded cards, particularly from the 60s and back and especially HOF RCs is a MUCH different thing than what we're talking about here. new collectors start into graded sets and RC collections every single day, and there's high quality stuff still available at readily affordable prices, especially if you're willing to be patient. we've seen the buy the card threads here, but i'd tell you even just buying the number can still be good. you don't have to mortgage your house to put something together in that realm. to do a series of unopened wax though, just reaching back into the mid 70s, is tens of thousands of dollars now.

    and while i do agree that the boxes and the cards are linked together, i think my point survives - there has to be some likelihood of a break even pricing, even if it's unlikely. impossible is what it's become, though, so if you think these unopened prices are really more accurate, then i would suggest you should buy the heck out of the high grade commons and sets from these things because they will absolutely have to trend up if the current trend persists. it won't be as fast, but it will have to happen otherwise they'll be disconnected.

    if they're disconnected, which market do you think will correct first, unopened or singles? you know what my vote is.
  • georgebailey2georgebailey2 Posts: 1,036 ✭✭✭
    I posted this over on the Net54 Vintage Hockey forum:


    The box I am completely baffled by is the 75-76 WHA. $30k. Even though it may be the only one of its kind, you would think that there should be some relationship to the break-up value. Even if every card graded a PSA 10, would you be able to recoup $30k plus grading fees? I just don't know if there is s wealthy WHA fan that would be willing to pay that amount just to be able to say they have an unopened box. In comparison, they have the 85-86 OPC box at $4k and a Lemieux PSA 10 just sold for $5k on Ebay.

    Thank you for posting the pics. I hope you're having a great time.

    End of hockey forum post.



    I believe the run up on unopened (late 60's to early 80's) is based upon the maturation of the kids of that era and:
    1) Their increased disposable income;
    2) Their increased demand for nostalgia and the associated excitement of feeling like a kid again;
    3) The fact that they most likely have the cards in their collection already;
    4) Unopened, particularly the boxes, are visually appealing;and
    5) The unopened provides the additional excitement of re-living the entire experience from seeing them in the store to opening them.

    That was on the demand side. The supply side is obviously scarce as a significant portion of what had remained unopened has probably been opened since the advent of grading and the desirability of high grade copies has grown over the last two decades.

    The only other thing I can say is that the photos provided by members on this site (on so many different threads) are incredible card porn. I thank all of you for your contributions.
  • lahmejoonlahmejoon Posts: 1,666 ✭✭✭
    Just curious, because it preceded my getting back into the hobby. When the Conlon stash of 75 mini boxes/cases found their way to the market, did the prices of the boxes come down because of the sudden insertion back into the supply pool?
Sign In or Register to comment.