1985 topps football

Axtell

I've been tossing around the idea of starting up collecting this set for a couple of reasons (1) it was a set a great friend of mine and I collected by buying tons of boxes and (2) I love black bordered cards (as my collecting 1971 topps baseball shows). Just was looking for some input on the best place to acquire raw and/or unopened material (as the set I have shows the effects of being actively looked at and sorted by a couple of kids (at the time).

I'd also like to know if there are any particular cards that are especially tough?

Thanks in advance.

edit: one more thing. Would you suggest collecting the non-HoF'ers in 8 and going after the starts/HoF'ers in 9? I think that would be the best way to go about it, but just curious what the overall thinking is in regards to this set.

GATOR5

Axtell

Love the set been thinking the same thing. I know at one point steve at bbexchange had some real sweet vending through the grapevine.

Gator

helionaut

It's very feasible to do the set in 9+. While there isn't a huge population of every card graded, there is sufficient raw material sitting around collecting dust that you shold feel confident of completing it sooner or later. Dealers like DSL and 4SC have big lots or runs of singles already graded 9 available from time to time very reasonably. I picked up almost 10% of the set in 9s last year for $120. Wax and cellos are available on ebay and from wax dealers all the time and they aren't very expensive because of the lack of elite HOF RCs. While the economics of it might never be justified in the marketplace (i.e. it's doubtful if a set could be sold for a profit), it is a fun project that I look forward to completing sooner or later.

thefootballcardstore

The Payton and Elway cards are tough and even in PSA 9 sell for over $100. If you look at the population report, you will see a number of cards don't have a mint example as of yet indicating the some cards on the sheet are tricky over the entire range of print run.

It is true, you can get some of the higher pops for $10 or less a card and sometimes in lots. PSA 10s are still highly competitive in part because the set attracts even those that are not set builders.

I have a few dozen PSA 9s @ $10 each if interested to get you started, if you decide to go that way.
Best of luck with your collection!

thefootballcardstore

Where's sixdart? An expert's opinion couldn't hurt.

Southsider

Marcus (sixdart) is the expert on this set. He's a notch below MOSH on the registry, but I'd take his set over MOSH's anyday.

In fact, I just recently bought a PSA 9 Payton from Marcus. Good stuff.

I love collecting this set. I have a nice raw set and about another 3 nearly complete partial sets, maybe 2000+ commons. My graded set is only in the ~25% complete range, but I pick up some lots here and there. I've sent in some cards as well. My first few submissions were 8's, then I figured out the criteria for 9's and have had some better subs since then. I'm sitting on some right now waiting for the next $5 special.

It's my favorite modern Topps set. The Bears won the Superbowl that season, I was Superbowl Shufflin' and collecting football cards for the first time. Some great memories.

Axtell

There are some nice lots of it up on the bay right now, and the same bidder is high bidder on all of them. A nice lot of 60+ common 8s, and several lots of 9s as well.

Will keep an eye on these, but not about to get into a bidding war with someone hot and heavy for it

sixdart

Thanks Jeremy,

The '85 football set has humbled more than a few. It's even attracted the likes of Chris Renaud who was registered at one time. As a ( modern ) black-bordered set, it's much more difficult than most people think. I've spent nearly 2 years trying to finish this set in PSA 9 or higher. I'm currently #2 on the PSA Set Registry ( 70.96% ... 9.28 GPA ) behind MOSH - any surprise there!? I would estimate that the first 33% of the set is fairly easy to assemble; the next 33% as moderate to difficult; the final 33% will be very tough.

The PSA 9s listed on EBAY seem to be the same recycled numbers. Most of the 1/1 to 1/3 PSA 9s and PSA 10s will exchange hands privately as collectors are willing purchase them as soon as they're graded. The top three Registry Sets have locked up the scarcest cards. Not only will you receive competition from the set collectors, but there are several individual player and HOF'er collectors that seek these cards.

The Walter Payton, John Elway and Dan Marino are the toughest cards. I was lucky to grade a few Payton PSA 9s recently ( Pop 6 of 114 - no 10s ) and sell them on EBAY for $249.95 each. The Elway ( Pop 27 of 584 - no 10s ) can sell for $75 - $125 ... which is a steal. The toughest RC is Richard Dent - who'll soon be in the HOF.

There's a perception that there's an abundance of '85 material out there, however most dealers' inventory has been depleted - in fact, most are buying right now. I've seen a trend of increasing prices for unopened material recently on EBAY. Wax boxes have been selling for $90 - $105 lately vs. the previous average of $65. Baseball Card Exchange sold their last wax case and grocery case, the Baseball Card Kid and Kruk Cards are both out of stock. I've struggled to find a personal source during the last six months. If anyone has one ... please post it here? I've also purchased sets and common lots on EBAY looking for the occasional mint single - no success at all.

As far as the best unopened material to purchase, that's been debated. However, based upon my experience, I would recommend standard rack packs or vending boxes and avoid grocery rack packs, followed by wax packs/boxes and cello packs/boxes. Pulling PSA 9s and PSA 10s from any of these options is difficult to say the least. Because they're black bordered cards, they'll receive more pre-submission scrutiny than most - even then you'll have a 1 in 3 chance at a PSA 9. That's where the reluctance comes from on the dealer's part. There's not much profit ratio in breaking down this product and submitting right now. I never truly appreciated this set until I purchased a Collector's Club membership began to breakdown product to submit ... mixed results so far.

So, to assemble this set, you'll have to be aggressive in submitting cards and receive assistance from fellow collectors. I don't believe you can put a PSA 9+ set together for SMR now, or in the near future. However, I think that any black bordered card set is worthy of the effort and should hold its value long term.

Good luck!

sixdart

Axtell,

To determine your bid for these auctions, definitely check the PSA Population report. Many collectors will snipe bid based upon their scarcity. You can also view the previous auctions ended to see individual bidding patterns and see who the new players are.

Wayne8348

Sixdart,

What are boxes going for now? I've had a box laying in my closet for a couple years or so.


Wayne

sixdart

Wayne,

'85 Topps Football wax boxes are averaging about $105 lately. That's on par with what online dealers are charging when they're available. I would say they've raised $20 in price recently (last couple of months). Are you selling it, and do you have any more PSA singles left?

Brian,

Yes, the Walter Payton is very scarce in mint. The PSA 9 sold on EBAY today for the buy-it-now price. In fact, the last (4) sold for the buy-it-now price of $249.95.

Eric,

Thanks again for the purchase. I sent you a PM response.

Good luck,

Marcus

Wayne8348

Marcus,

I'll probably just keep the box. I like the set and may put it together raw one of these days.

Wayne

Axtell

Well started with a bit of a splash today. 63 card lot of 8s with NQs closed today for a total of $176 shipped.

Linky

What do you all think?

BoltBoy

Hey there-

I'm not an 85' specialist but anytime you can get graded 8's for under $3./per you have to believe it was worth it. I'd buy Charger 8's all day at those prices.

Waytogo;

BoltBoy

sixdart

Brian,

It was a good deal for 15% of the set. At the best submission rate ($5 - $6 dollars), it would have cost the seller $315 - $378. Even then, that excludes shipping & insurance and the product expense.

I needed (19) of them ... were you the winner?

Axtell

yes I was the winner.

I felt it was a great bargain, and had planned on spending up to $200 for the lot.

Can't wait to get them.

thefootballcardstore

NICE SNAG!