70's Wax Packs & PSA 10's

transparent

Threre isn't much going on on this forum, but I know there must be a lot of collectors out there who are just starting to recognize the value in relatively cheap 1970's wax packs and the potential for PSA 10's. First, let me describe how I plan to focus my collection, and then I have a really tough question that I hope others will respond to....

I started by only collecting PSA graded Star Wars cards, but along the way I picked up a few 1975 Donruss Six Million Dollar Man cards and 1960's James Bond cards in PSA holders. I liked them so much, that I have decided to actively collect some other 1960's and 1970's non-sport cards in PSA holders (high grade only of course). The cool thing is, I don't feel the extreme need to complete the sets, I just want to build a "Collector's Showcase" type set ... a collection of various high grade cards. Here's where I am so far:

http://www.psacard.com/set_registry/display_cards.chtml?rsetid=54391&alltime=no&requesttimeout=9999&rank=none&tied=0&showcase=1

I have started to look for these sets, and a few more. Anyone else see a similar interest in the future?

1967 Leaf Star Trek
1976 Topps Star Trek
1976 Scanlens Star Trek
1960's James Bond (all sets)
1975 Donruss Six Million Dollar Man
1976 Bionic Woman
1960's Batman cards (all sets)
1959 You'll Die Laughing
1966 Monster Laffs
1966 and 1976 King Kong
1982 Donruss M.A.S.H.
1976 Marvel Comic Book Heroes stickers
1966 Topps Superman
1966 Get Smart cards
1966 Donruss Marvel Super Heros
1973 Kung Fu
1974 Evel Knievel
1975 FTCC Rocky Horror Picture Show

Ok, so here's my question. Can you estimate the value of a PSA 10 graded card from one of these sets, based on the cost/value of a wax box and the frequency of "PSA 9/10" possibilities that are pulled from them on average?

The RHPS is one of my personal all-time favorite movies, and some of the FTCC cards are really amazing. I recently purchased a box for $40 and broke it down. I found 13 cards that I thought were "PSA 9" possibilities (which includes those that could possibly be PSA 10's). I sent them all in, at a cost of $5 each (not considering postage)... so I have a total of $105 into them.... I haven't gotten my grades yet, but I'll post again when I get them.

I'm also considering adding some OPC sets to my list (which adds a bit of rarity to each set, as OPC made less of each set). Maybe the Welcome Back Kotter, Moonraker, Charlie's Angels (espcially S1 with Farrah!), Mork & Mindy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jaws. While the cards themselves are fairly common for almost everything I mentioned.... PSA 10's may not be!

Check this out for example. Worth $60?

http://cgi.ebay.com/83-Magnum-P-I-Hawaii-Tom-Selleck-FERRARI-PSA-10_W0QQitemZ6272793753QQcategoryZ60234QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

packman

This is an interesting project. I have been doing this with baseball. I focus on four sets and then a collect a sampling of high end cards from various sets/players that I like. It keeps my interest level high. In addition, since I like so many different sets, it is a way let me collect without breaking the bank.

Regarding non-sports cards, I focus on the 1964 Beatles sets (they are my favorite group for many reasons) and movies/shows that I enjoy. Since I majored in archeology in college, I always loved the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. I have been working on a high quality raw set for the past few years. I have probably opened two cases worth of wax boxes. The problem with determining a price of a PSA 10 from the cost of a box is that some issues have no demand in raw and especially graded form. Use Raiders of the Lost Ark as an example. A box will cost you between $25 and $35. The green borders and horrible quality control makes finding NM-MT or better cards difficult. I would imagine that you would be lucky find 1 10 quality card in a box. PSA 10 cards are difficult to come accross due to the poor quality control. I am sure you have seen this with Star Wars. It seems like that a 10 would sell for at least the cost of a box; but, I would be suprised if you could find a graded card for sale let alone a 10 for sale. My raw set of Raiders of the Lost Ark would probably grade out over 9. However, I do not think there are enough collectors of this set in raw or graded form to make it profitable. To accomplish your sample set, you will probably need to submit your own cards for the modern sets.

Regarding your showcase set, I would focus on some of the key cards/actors/scenes of the set/movie rather then any card of the set. I think this would make it more interesting for you in the future.

David

gregmo32

I am doing the same thing with a few sets. I have the Star Wars sets, three or four different wrestling sets from 1955 Parkhurst to 1985 Topps and everything in between, a few Beatles cards, 1976 Marvel stickers, 1966 Donruss Marvel, my Muhammad Ali set and several more unopened wax boxes that may become part of the fun. I love the nostalgia of remembering my youth spent tearing open packs of cards - even of movies and show and subjects I cared nothing for.

MorrellMan

Paul, I think your venture sounds truly exciting. Unopened product for most of those sets are relatively easy to get, and while you search the boxes for the true 10s, you will be assembling some very high grade raw sets of virtually all the 70s non sports sets. My particular disease involves 50s and 60s sets where unopened is not so readily available, but I've often thought of doing what you're doing just for the sheer fun of building sets and discovering gems. You should be able to uncover plenty of 10s on your own! I may join you.

Wabittwax

A couple years ago, I opened a box of 1978(?) Battlestar Galactica cards. Nobody was grading them but I figured what the heck. I submitted about 10 or 15 cards and I over doubled the current population at the time. I wound up with zero PSA 10's, mostly 9's and a couple 8's. They are very tough. I actually had better grades with blue border Star Wars cards. It was fun, not profitable, but I think I broke even on all of it.

transparent

Thanks for reminding me, Battlestar Galactica deserves a place on my list.

For now, I will consider that the PSA 9's and 10's that I pull from the 70's wax boxes will be no where near valued at their cost, but I think that may be some of the allure. I like collecting them, I like having them, and that's what counts. It'll be a while in between submissions of these of course, since I have to wait for the NS specials... but I'll post some of my favorites. Please feel free to post yours if you are collecting the same!

As for 60's cards, it's almost a similar situation. Of course, unopened product is non-existent... but buying lots of singles and sorting through them for PSA 8 possibilities is fun too. Not profitable I'm sure, but fun. As you see from my list, I have a lot in that category too. In fact, some of the 60's cards are so rare and condition sensitive that I believe PSA 7 to be high grade (for example the 1967 Star Trek).

Maybe some day I may even try to complete some of these sets, but for now I love the Collector's Showcase!

Paul H.

Wabittwax

Another one that I've graded is 1967(?) Monkees. Packs of them are still floating around for like $15-$20. One that was really cool I did was 1969 Man on the Moon. I bought about 10 packs at around $15 each. I got 8 PSA 9's and about 12 PSA 8's. I actually just sent in one more card today that looks like a rock solid 9. I love that semi vintage non sport also. Unopened packs are about 5-10% of their baseball counterparts. You can go wrong with that. They can only go up in value.

captfisch

I'm finally branching out a bit from my Star Wars sets as well. I'm gonna make a go of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Black Hole from Disney. I like the green border and rope trim from the Raiders cards (different and difficult in high grade). I also like the borders of the Black Hole cards. Everyone has their opinion I'm sure, but I don't care for the cards with plain white borders, not as interesting to me. Good luck to all you non-sport card junkies out there.

captfisch

sfmays24

Hello All,

Does anyone have any 1973 Topps Kung Fu singles available? I need cards 21 & 60 to complete my set... also, anyone interested in GAI Graded 1973 Donruss Baseball Super Freaks Wax Packs?

thanks,

Mike

transparent

Captfisch -

Good to hear you chime in. I think Raiders of the Lost Ark is one that I'll be interested in. If you have any left over 9's and 10's maybe we can swap for another NS series .... I'm surprised that you aren't going to do some of the more interesting Star Wars sets? The OPC set is one that I think is really fantastic, and not so rare that you couldn't find all wax packs to burst for the set. There are also some smaller sets like the Wonder Bread, Tip Top, Hershey's hand-cut, York and Kellogg's sets. But, focusing on other movies is really cool too.

I was looking into some of the sets that people are going after... and noticed that 1979 Topps Hulk boxes are kind of expensive. Then I heard that Jennifer Connoley was in that movie - can anyone confirm that, and do you have a scan of a card with her on it? I recently saw her in "The House of Sand And Fog"....

Any one have any luck finding PSA 9's and 10's from collated sets.... from the more common 1970's issues (where dealers most likely broke down boxes just to make sets and sell them, and the cards weren't really handled)?

Paul H.

captfisch

I've expanded to the other original Topps' sets for the first three movies (if they would just add ESB to the Registry!!, it's been on request for about 2 months now). There are so many sets I would like to grade, but I don't have the space, or money, to do that many. Since I can't do all of them, I'm trying to keep my focus concentrated on the originals. I think most of know how easy it is to spin off in so many directions in both the sport and non-sport card arena.

I do think that the most striking and interesting modern Star Wars set that I might grade is the Star Wars Finest Refractor character set, the limited gold backing ones. They have great, vivid character refractor paintings and wonderful backsides with the gold limited edition. Good luck with the card hunt, and I should be getting my first Raiders boxes soon and start the joy of opening up the packs!

captfisch

P.S. Do you have OPC ESB #207? It's the last one I need to complete my OPC collection.

Mefer

I am putting together a 78 Donruss KISS set and have yet to get a 10 on a card (last time I checked, only one card has graded a 10 in the submissions). I have pulled cards directly from packs that look just plain awful. I can't speak to the other non-sport issues of the era, but the 78 Donruss KISS set is very, very tough to find in high grade for a relatively new issue.

If any of you have any high grade 78 Donruss KISS cards, drop me a line. It is next to impossible to find mint cards on eBay. It seems everyone who sells them are KISS fans, not card fans, so they have no appreciation for grading and card conditions. You need a freak like me (KISS/Card collector) I guess to figure it out!

transparent

Yeah, I hear you. It's not uncommon at all to pay $100+ for a wax box (many different sets), which ends up giving you only 10-20 submittable cards, and maybe zero or one PSA 10's overall. I find that this is especially the case with Donruss sets, Topps boxes have been a bit better to me - but not always. Good luck on your search, I'll keep an eye out!

I've had several $400+ boxes with no submittable cards at all. Now that really sux!

Paul h.

captfisch

God help me its started...I'm starting to spin out of control...I found some TRON card boxes that look awesome as well...especially the old digital effects from the movie look cool on the cards. I must grade these as well....help me, I'm SINKING!!!

captfisch

Thulnanth

Hey All,

Cool discussion!!! I have raw sets of the original Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Battlestar Galactica cards, as well as Buck Rodgers and Planet of the Apes. Of course, since they were acquired in my youth, none would grade higher than a 7, I'm sorry to say . As Captfisch said, I'm afraid to start on any new series, as my current ones (Magic: the Gathering) eat up all my funds and time as it is. Perhaps down the road a ways -I would love someday to have a graded set of Star Wars along side my "lovingly handled" raw set

Take it easy,
Jared

smallstocks

I have bought a couple of boxes of 1978 Elvis cards and man is it tough to find PSA 9 quality cards. Centering is brutal and so many minor issues with the cards.

bri2327

<< <i>I have bought a couple of boxes of 1978 Elvis cards and man is it tough to find PSA 9 quality cards. Centering is brutal and so many minor issues with the cards. >>




Ive busted a few of those Elvis boxes and had nothing worth submitting. By nothing I mean PSA 10 or high end 9 quality.

Other boxes I have been casually opening over the past year include Kiss, Raiders, Welcome back Kotter ( dont ask ) and the occasional Star wars. Ive been hoping to get ahold of a 6 million dollar man as well as King Kong and Planet of the Apes, but my budget hasnt allowed me with all my other interests at the moment.

smallstocks

Bri,

Those others can be expensive. As for WBK, how about Grease???? (LOL)

bri2327

<< <i>Bri,

Those others can be expensive. As for WBK, how about Grease???? (LOL) >>




Yeah them too. Dont forget Mork and Mindy and Charlies Angels !

smallstocks

I actually sent in a few grease cards for grading. Curious to see the results.

transparent

Here's just a few oddball non-Sports I got back recently. I'm testing the waters on eBay with these... starting bid at $14.99 ($7.50 each).

I busted two boxes of RHPS cards, at about $30 a box. I got a total of 14 cards that I thought were good enough to grade, which came back as 5 x PSA 10s, 7 x PSA 9's, and 2 x PSA 8's. I have roughly $130 into the 14 cards.... does $7.50 each for the extra PSA 9's sound like a fair price? Anyone have any insight on determining a good value on non-Sports cards based on the average raw (wax box) price, etc?