Home PSA Set Registry Forum

Has anyone opened these vintage baseball packs.....

Does anyone here know of anyone who
has opened some of the 1966-1971
opeechee packs that Mark Murphy has been auctioning
on ebay. These are the packs that he won in the mastro
auction in the spring.

The only reason I ask is to see if anyone knows
of anyone getting PSA gradeable cards out of the packs.

I just got in a few packs, and the corners of the packs
look very nice. It looks like the cards "could be" very good
inside. Anyone with any info ?

Comments

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    I bought one each of his 1966, 1967, and 1970, but I haven't opened any. I would also be curious about the results of your poll.

    Bob
  • magellanmagellan Posts: 2,099 ✭✭✭
    I'd be interested in the results too as I bought the 78 & 79 packs and will probably go back and get some of the earlier ones. Cards Plus has had a bunch of OPC packs up for sale as well.
    Topps Heritage

    Now collecting:
    Topps Heritage

    1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
    All Yaz Items 7+
    Various Red Sox
    Did I leave anything out?
  • I would like to state that I have NOT opened any OPC packs from Murphy. But I have opened packs from other sources from the period in question. There are a few things as to why it may not be the best idea.
    1) Pre-70 the cards are three card packs. One card stained from the wax seal and one up against the gum. So two of the three would be questionable. Great corners, great gloss, but stained. That puts all the hope one the middle card. The 1970's should have more cards and you could fair slightly better with more middle cards.
    2) OPC had little to no quality control at the time based on the quality of there products that I have seen. Most of the cards from the period I have seen have had cut issues (like fuzzy edges) and are often off center to worse. From my experience the same cards were coming out of the packs that I opened.
    3) Most of the value of the pack is due to "unopened premium" (the value of the pack - average value of the cards inside and the wrapper value) and the wrapper price. Back in the early 90's, OPC wrappers were in high demand but I do not believe that they are in the same demand today. But compared to the cards, the wrapper still probably has a higher value compared to "average" cards. When you pop the seal to go after the cards, the premium vanishes and most of the value will probbaly reside in a collectable you do want.
    4)My expereince in buying cards from the era is that they are very, very hit and miss on pricing. Some dealers price based on how rare they are nice and legitimatly they are very hard to find. There are very few buyers at any given moment and cards often fall through the cracks. I have picked up 8's under $10 for commons with some regualrity and even 9's for $25. A better way to spend the money may be to keep the pack and just buy the cards.
    5) In the packs I opened, I did not get one card that achieved a 7NQ or better ! The better centered cards were stained and the clean cards were o/c. Maybe these packs contain better centered cards, but just because one or two packs do, that is certainly no guarantee that the one you open will. Mine never do.
    Good luck on your gambles and should any of you crack open any of these older packs (70 and earlier), I would be interested in buying the wrappers
    Fuzz
    Wanted: Bell Brands FB and BB, Chiefs regionals especially those ugly milk cards, Coke caps, Topps and Fleer inserts and test issues from the 60's. 1981 FB Rack pack w/ Jan Stenerud on top.
  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    Fuzz,
    Thanks for the info. I am no longer tempted to open the packs (unless I run out of gum).
    Bob
  • Those damn Canadian cards!
    “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin
  • zsz70zsz70 Posts: 541
    Fuzz,

    Excellent informative response.

    I wasn't aware of these facts concerning the pre-1970 packs.

    My earliest pack is the 1971. I would be interested to hear
    from anyone who opened these.

    Anyone with any information on the availability
    of vending cases from 1971, 1973, or 1974 opc baseball.

    I'm trying to get a good feel on what's out there.
    I've read previous threads that have been informative about opc baseball,
    but the topic of possible vending material has never been discussed.

    I have never heard of any that is out there.
  • Don't know much about vending. I have never seen a 1965 OPC pack for sale, I place 1974 in second in terms of unopened pack year scarcity.
    “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin
  • Guys,
    I'm not trying to talk anyone out of opening a pack or two for fun. Just trying to set your expectations to a spot where you shouldn't be to disappointed if something "less than optimal" occurs. And I really would like a wrapper or two so go ahead. Just consider it a bet on "26 Black". I suspect that cracking the seal on the pack would be more exciting than watching the ball spin. Your also more likely to get a better return on the pack than the wheel anyway.
    Speaking of the wrappers, you may want to watch eBay for awhile. If any of these appear, there is a good chance that they were recently opened.
    Have never heard of any OPC vending from the time periods mentioned by anyone including Rich Unruh. I would think that if anyone would have had it he would have better I never remember him mentioning anything like that.
    Fuzz
    Wanted: Bell Brands FB and BB, Chiefs regionals especially those ugly milk cards, Coke caps, Topps and Fleer inserts and test issues from the 60's. 1981 FB Rack pack w/ Jan Stenerud on top.
  • 1967topps1967topps Posts: 459 ✭✭
    Slightly OT
    I have never bought an OPC pack of Mark Murphy's, but I have bought
    several packs going back to 1951 and have opened every one.

    Best pull was a Yaz Rookie that got a PSA 8.
    Or a '67 Duke Sims that got a PSA 9.
    Depending on whether you feel the former is greater than the latter, LOL.
    Worst was anything bought from Boyer before I knew better
    ebay:1967topps
    1967and 1973 Topps baseball wantlists (any condition) welcome. Once had the #14 ATF 1967 set. Yet another collector like skylaneflyer, gimel1 who made it to the completion of 1967 only to need the money more than the company of 609 close friends.
    Looking for oddball Norm Cash and Cleon Jones stuff, and 1956 team cards
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