I prefer wax, due to the graphics. I have no intention of busting them. Lots of problems with cellos over the last year- many were holdered than shouldn't have been.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
I prefer only rack packs where possible. I'd stay away from cellos. They are wrapped pretty tight and will make almost all of the corners "cello rounded" where the corners just aren't sharp enough.
My sets: 1977 Topps Star Wars - "Space Swashbucklers"
Racks are more than likely going to give you the best gradeable cards, Although if you are not going to bust them then go with wax, They simply look better when holdered and should increase as much percentage wise as cello or rack.
I prefer Racks too. If you are buying vintage racks look at the seal where the pockets of cards are. A simple sandwich sealer can melt it together again. That being said ,stick to the big 3 unopened dealers.
Gum damage seems to be hit or miss. I guess it depends on how the cards were stored.
In the past 3 years, I've opened up 1986 Topps, 1985 Topps, and 1982 Topps wax boxes.
The 1986 (bb) boxes (from Ebay) had no damge from gum (yeah, I was shocked). The 1985 (fb) box (from BBCE) had profound damage, the gum being "glued" to the card directly under it, bleeding through to the next card, and in a few instances, to card after that one). The 1982 (fb) box (from BBCE) had minimal damage, limited to the card directly under the gum.
As for wax, the 85 and 82 packs had the card fronts directly under the wax seal, and the wax would wipe off just by rubbing a clean sock over it. Probably not gradable, but they look good for a raw set. The 1986 cards had the card back twards the wax seal, so you had the wax bleed stain that makes the card dog food.
If you're looking for gradable stuff, factor in a potential of 2 (maybe 3) cards lost to staining in each rack pack. That's 72 cards that are immediatly DOA out of 540 (13% of the box).
Are you talking about buying and keeping sealed, or opened and submitted? For display sealed packs, hands down. Racks a pretty large holdered, and have a much shorter run. Cellos are only good graphically in '64, and '69-'72. For opening, I've always heard racks are better (other than those bogus Xmas rewraps). Vending seems to be hit or miss- if you get a box with OC cards you're really hosed.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
FRNAllStar
Posts: 322
Comments
How much of a factor can gum be on wax(ex 1-2 cards destoyed? how many yrs?)
Thanks
Lots of problems with cellos over the last year- many were holdered than shouldn't have been.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
1977 Topps Star Wars - "Space Swashbucklers"
Bosox1976
<< <i>I love a nice rack... >>
Mike
Did not fly over my head!
I agree!
I have very little use for cellos - too much possiblility for edge damage in packaging.
I agree with Anthony - packs are the prettiest and display very well.
For opening - I like racks.
If you have a nice rack with a star card - now we're talking!
mike
I prefer rack over wax over vending. I also typically stay away from the grocery racks as well.
My Auctions
In the past 3 years, I've opened up 1986 Topps, 1985 Topps, and 1982 Topps wax boxes.
The 1986 (bb) boxes (from Ebay) had no damge from gum (yeah, I was shocked).
The 1985 (fb) box (from BBCE) had profound damage, the gum being "glued" to the card directly under it, bleeding through to the next card, and in a few instances, to card after that one).
The 1982 (fb) box (from BBCE) had minimal damage, limited to the card directly under the gum.
As for wax, the 85 and 82 packs had the card fronts directly under the wax seal, and the wax would wipe off just by rubbing a clean sock over it. Probably not gradable, but they look good for a raw set. The 1986 cards had the card back twards the wax seal, so you had the wax bleed stain that makes the card dog food.
If you're looking for gradable stuff, factor in a potential of 2 (maybe 3) cards lost to staining in each rack pack. That's 72 cards that are immediatly DOA out of 540 (13% of the box).
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
For display sealed packs, hands down. Racks a pretty large holdered, and have a much shorter run. Cellos are only good graphically in '64, and '69-'72.
For opening, I've always heard racks are better (other than those bogus Xmas rewraps). Vending seems to be hit or miss- if you get a box with OC cards you're really hosed.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's