1983 Topps cello "wax" pack

HoofHearted

I was wondering if anyone (Bob?!) knows the story behind the 1983 Topps cello "wax" packs. If I remember correctly, they may have been called "Michigan Test Packs", or something to that effect.

(Bob, I'm sure you have one of these, but if you should need one, let me know.)

Here's a scan:



hh

pandrews

i dont know the story behind them, but youre correct about them being called "michigan packs".

HoofHearted

p_A, cool! I wasn't hallucinating!

I don't remember where I heard that, but I'm sure someone's got the inside story on it...

shambo2000

Topps tested this type of pack in 1983. Besides Michigan, I believe they also tested in California. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

tennesseebanker

Thats what ive heard also Shambo.

poppie

Correct. For whatever reason, in 1984 Topps also produced for only Michigan, I believe, a pick any card that you wanted to complete your sets. OK, so I choose Strawberry (yuck) . Boggs and Mattingly.

zef204

<< <i>I was wondering if anyone (Bob?!) knows the story behind the 1983 Topps cello "wax" packs. If I remember correctly, they may have been called "Michigan Test Packs", or something to that effect.

(Bob, I'm sure you have one of these, but if you should need one, let me know.)

Here's a scan:



hh >>


Yep, the Michigan test packs. Topps was way ahead of their time on these but abandonded them after 2 years and Upper Deck did the same type of packing(w/aluminum) and score followed suit. Now all packs are like these at least to the degree they arent folded tight like wax or cello.

I have gotten 2 83 Boggs 10's out of these and I found they are as easy as racks on the corners.

RedHeart54

I've often wondered if anyone actually won the World Series trips those '80s Topps packs always advertised (let alone the COLECOVISON).

Stingray

Remeber those, living in Michigan, basically my whole life and the 75 Minis. Boy if I still had all of those!


Stingray

tkd7

Any idea why Michigan was selected?

fsjeter

<< <i>Any idea why Michigan was selected? >>



I'm guessing because there is a pretty strong collector base in the Michigan area with close proximity to three MLB teams (Tigers, Cubs, and White Sox).

Scott

Stingray

If I remember correctly, they also had 84-85 Hockey in the same type of pack in Michigan, not sure about elsewhere though?

FYS

<< <i>If I remember correctly, they also had 84-85 Hockey in the same type of pack in Michigan, not sure about elsewhere though? >>



Correct on the Hockey.

bobsbbcards

I don't have anything I can add to what has already been said. Cello wrap, test marketed in Michigan. Pretty easy to pick them up on eBay (Dave and Adam's has them for $3.99 apiece). There are a couple current auctions where the starting bid is $0.50 apiece.

frankhardy

I've got one, but did not know what it was. Nice to know now. Do thye have any extra value over the regular wax?

FYS

<< <i>I've got one, but did not know what it was. Nice to know now. Do thye have any extra value over the regular wax? >>



I think their is a very sligh premium because they essentially can not be resealed like a wax pack. However, you can easily see the back card, so people can search for stars showing or search via collation.

HoofHearted

<< <i>I don't have anything I can add to what has already been said. Cello wrap, test marketed in Michigan. Pretty easy to pick them up on eBay (Dave and Adam's has them for $3.99 apiece). There are a couple current auctions where the starting bid is $0.50 apiece. >>



Bob, sounds like you've got one/some for your collection, then. Great.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm going to print this thread out and stick it in the box with the packs...

hh

MorrellMan

Good topic. As long as these knowledgeable pack collectors are in the house, I've had these test packs for about 20 years. They are standard issue 1985 Topps baseball cards wrapped with the '85 test traded wrappers. The story I've heard is that when Topps made its last printing of 1985 cards for wax packs, they had run out of wrappers with the date "1985" and the "Win a Trip to the All-Star Game" text which they had used all year long. This last run for wax cases was then wrappered with the wrapper that had been produced for a test issue of 1985 Traded cards. I have no idea of their value or scarcity, but here's a scan of one of my packs: