85 topps factory set

tennesseebanker · February 8, 2006 4:32AM

Has anyone every bought one of these sets ? From what I hear they are pretty rare. They come in a plain brown box. I do not know if they are wrapped up inside like thier Donruss counterparts or not. If anyone has any experience with this particular set let me know a few things about it. Thanks in Advance !

onefasttalon · February 8, 2006 5:02AM

Sure... I've picked one or two of these up in my life. Those that I have seen ARE in plain brown boxes, and are not wrapped/sealed by any means on the inside. Also, I have yet to see any of these plain brown boxes sealed on the outside either! I don't believe the Topps Factory sets were truly sealed until '87, even then it was just a simple sticker sealing one flap.... it wasn't until '88 that Topps got sealing down a seat properly.

Hope this helps!

tennesseebanker · February 8, 2006 5:09AM

Thanks for the info, What is the quality of the cards inside ? Are they packed tight enough to keep the cards in pristine shape? Would you say the cards are better or worse than those found in rack, cello or wax boxes?BBC Exchange has a few of these and said the sets came from a case, the description of the item says they are sealed, it looks like they are sealed with a piece of clear packing tape though. I was wondering since I was thinking of building the 85 topps set in the registry if it would be better to go this way or with unopened rack's.

Thanks Again !

onefasttalon · February 8, 2006 5:25AM

A factory sets normally yields MUCH better cards (condition) than Wax, Cello, and yep even racks. The best source for grade-able cards I've found have been from vending boxes. Only problem is... unless you buy an entire case, you have to watch our for picked-over boes. Individual vending boxes are NOT sealed, so ya never know what you're going to get (or not going to get!)

Good luck!

tennesseebanker · February 8, 2006 5:31AM

Thanks again for the info. Yes I have had a lot of experience with Vending but never thought they yielded that great of a quality card. Im probably going to order a factory set from BBC exchange, I hope the centering is good on it. thanks again.

lostdart58 · February 8, 2006 6:44AM

I own a number of 1986 factory sets which are similar to the 85s in that they are in a plain brown box with minimun sealing. (Three pieces of 2 inch clear tape which have long ago lost their stickyness)

After not having looked at them since i bought them four years ago I pulled them out after reading this thread.......I found decent centering in all four boxes with 50% of the cards in 60-40 or better centering........I could not find a card with worse then 75-25.....

Maybe 20 years from now these 86 sets will be worth something..........( I paid $30 for the four boxes INCLUDING shipping)

bobsbbcards · February 8, 2006 7:44AM

1986 had sealed factory sets (some call them Christmas sets):

WinPitcher · February 8, 2006 7:59AM

You can find the xmas set for 85 too. they were sold mainly in sears and jc penny's, caldors etc.

not sure if 84 had them.

The plain brown box was sold to dealers and candy wholesalers.

Steve

ctsoxfan · February 8, 2006 9:53AM

<< <i>A factory sets normally yields MUCH better cards (condition) than Wax, Cello, and yep even racks. The best source for grade-able cards I've found have been from vending boxes. Only problem is... unless you buy an entire case, you have to watch our for picked-over boes. Individual vending boxes are NOT sealed, so ya never know what you're going to get (or not going to get!)

Good luck! >>

You believe that vending boxes give you better quality cards for grading than racks? I'd say you'd be in the minority with that opinion.

85 topps factory set

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