1986 Topps Factory Sets - Am I missing something?

Writer11

Granted this isn't a huge amount, but I was surprised to see an '86 Topps Baseball Factory set selling for this much (see link).

Does anyone know why?

1986 Topps Factory Set

zef204

I think the set is pretty hot right now. There has been a lot of talk about it on the boards which helps. I would rather pick up a 3 box rack case for that money.

ndleo

The 1986 Topps holiday sets are very rare. I believe they were only offered at certian toy stores.

Brian48

I've to really appreciate the '86 Topps in my old age. Hated it when it first came out. Looked ugly compared to the Donruss and Fleer of the same year and also missed the boat with several key rookies. At the time, it just reinforced most opinions that Topps were steadily going downhill.

Now over 20 years later, I've really come to appreciate this set. The design does sort of grow on you over time.

FYI, I just got this in the mail today.

digicat

Yeah. With the holiday factory set, you're essentially buying the box and the seal. The cards inside don't contribute anything to the overall value.

mcastaldi

I think $56 for a set is totally insane when you can get 3-box rack cases for about $100 delivered.

Mike

ldferg

i'm busting a rack box now...

bri2327

That set was very rare and as far as I remember only offered at Toys R Us......and as far as rack cases, you can get a 6 box rack case for $100, not a 3 box as mentioned earlier in the post. I have opened 3 of the 6 box rack cases over the past several months attempting to assemble a truly gem mint raw set. These cards are stunning when just right. The best of the best you will find have a tiffany like finish with rich, strong colors contrasted with a jet black. So far I have managed roughly a 3rd of the set in true gem mint condition, allowing zero print flaws, which are common and include fish eyes, color fading, grey toning instead of the deep rich black, and of course, absolutely no chipping on the tough borders as well as 50/50 centering all around. For the price they just simply cannot be beat. What the set lacks in rookies it more than makes up for in visual appeal and affordabilty. I look at them this way....buying a 6 box rack case of 82, 83, 84, or 85 will set you back BIG time, all in the hopes of chasing an elusive gem mint rookie or two, when we all know most often it just doesnt happen. For 1/10 of the price you can get the 86's, still assemble gem mint sets that look amazing and hardly notice the $$ it takes to do so. When I get the chance I will post some more scans of what the perfect 86 should look like, but for now try a search for 86 topps and you will find many I have posted over the past month or so.

zef204

<< <i>When I get the chance I will post some more scans of what the perfect 86 should look like, but for now try a search for 86 topps and you will find many I have posted over the past month or so. >>

Please do. I am a fan of the set and I think it maybe time for another rack case myself.

pandrews

yep it's considered a "holiday set".. i sold one a year or two ago for close to $100 bucks..

tennesseebanker

The guy states in the auction that it was the first year Topps made a factory set, However, I have a few 85 Factory sets. And I have heard of these holiday type sets being sold from Sears or Jc Penney years ago as far back as 1975.

Xtrainningscards

Beckett lists the Factory set at $75-$150, so according to DR Jim, its a good deal.

softparade

I have never seen or heard of a 70's Topps baseball factory set anywhere. Holiday or regular ....

tennesseebanker

Somebody had some on ebay a few months back, A few folks here said they remembered Woolworths or Sears selling the factory sets back then. It was the first I had ever heard of them either.

tennesseebanker

Here is the old thread about them


75 factory set

softparade

tb, I remember the ones on e-bay. I believe they were bogus, I am pretty sure of this. They were put together by hand and shrunk wrap into blocks and put in a box.

softparade

hmmmm interesting. There seems to be alot of confusion about these still. Ya never know though!

mcastaldi

Bri> "I look at them this way....buying a 6 box rack case of 82, 83, 84, or 85 will set you back BIG time, all in the hopes of chasing an elusive gem mint rookie or two. . ."

I guess it depends on your definition of "big time". I mean it's all a risk/reward proposition. 82 rack typically runs about $200/box. I've seen 83 rack for $200-$225 a box. BBCX has an 83 3-box case in the $650 neighborhood. At these prices, you can still break even or make a little money by pulling some PSA10s out of there. Granted, just any old PSA10 common probably isn't going to do it for you. So you have to pick and choose what you submit, but there is a market for them. And at that point, any PSA9 or 10 rookies only help. 84T are cheap enough that a PSA10 Mattingly pays for about half a 6-box case. And the market for 84T stars does seem to be improving. The 85T stuff tho, is a bit pricy. The Clemens, Puckett, and McGwire RCs inflate the price a little bit more than I feel it should. There just isn't much of a market for 85s outside of those three. In my opinion, of the sets you mentioned the 83s are the best proposition. There are people building the set in PSA holders, there are 3 big rookies to improve your chances of making your money back, and the prices are still reasonable. Now compare these issues to say 78T, where rack boxes currently go for about $1000. In comparrison, the issues you mentioned seem downright reasonable.

Dan> I have seen 1974 Topps factory sets come to eBay. I'd guess I've noticed 3 or 4 in the last 6-12 months. Obviously whether they deserve a premium depends quite a bit on how they were handled, etc.

Mike