Is this 1982 Topps factory set for real? I didn't know they existed.

Estil

From what I previously understood, Topps only did factory sets in 1974 (JCPenney catalog exclusive) and from 1985-onwards. But where did this come from?

1982 Topps Factory set
As shown in their online store

Is this for real? And there's no year or anything on it, how do they even know its 1982 and not some other year?

onlyanumber

if its from bbce, I would believe it to be real.

packCollector

it's real , I think steve had a case of them. they obvisouly were not available for national distribution since we would see alot more of them if they were.

viking7

I've seen them from time to time on ebay but never picked one up. Let us know how those run if you break a factory set. Anyone out there ever open one of these? The factory sets and the grocery racks are the only 82 Topps product I haven't opened.

Estil

If anyone shelled out $300 for that factory set, they'd be foolish to open it, as that would instantly take away about 2/3 of its value (the set itself is about $100). So don't hold your breath waiting for someone to bust open one of those.

diamondman

opening a factory set is a big roll of the dice and the odds are against you, dinged corners , OC, MC , but no wax stains.
And in answer to your question, I have seen factory sets of topps from 1981 and up, never seen the 1974 set but know they exsist.

ArchStanton

I got a 1983 factory set for Christmas in 1983 out of the JC Penny's catalog, but it came in a plain brown 800 count box.

mikeschmidt

<< <i>never seen the 1974 set but know they exsist. >>



I've seen them on rare occassion on Ebay. Typically they are opened, and you can see the contents - but the factory box is still there.

~ms

viking7

I laughed when I read the posts about it being foolish to open a 82 Topps factory set. Was I foolish to open the rack cases, vending cases, cello cases, and boxes of 82 Topps to put my registry set together? I can see leaving just about anything unopened for investment purposes, but opening and taking a chance can be a lot of fun as some of you already know.

packman

I recall Steve Hart having some 1974 factory sets for sale on his site during the past year or two years. I remember my brother received one for Christmas in 1974. Other then that, I have not seen them. Whether one would be foolish in opening the factory set, I guess it depends on the person. If you bought the set for an investment, then leave it sealed. Otherwise, I say open it. I am working on several sets (T3, N162, 1941 Play Ball, unopened packs, etc.). However, the set that I enjoy the most is my 1979 Topps set. I consider it my "mad money" set. I have opened rack cases, vending boxes, etc. I realize that I will not get a return on my money on it. However, it is fun and I am able to do it. I say collect what you want, how you want. It is a hobby.

David

julen23

owning the '82 topps factory set would be really cool possession....

too tempting to open and find the o/c ripken however.

Julen

exodia

What is the chance involved with the opening a sealed factory set ?

There result is totally know unlike your case of opening packs.

There is no economic reason to open a sealed 1982 set.

mikeschmidt

<< <i>There is no economic reason to open a sealed 1982 set. >>



Why not? If you can grade the cards and score some key 10s, you end up ahead. People don't crack vintage packs in the hopes of getting a Nolan Ryan or Mike Schmidt card. They crack vintage packs in the hopes of getting a vintage Nolan Ryan or Mike Schmidt card that is perfectly centered with strong corners and will grade out at 9 or 10.

~ms

fsjeter

<< <i>There result is totally know unlike your case of opening packs. >>



That's not exactly true either. I opened a sealed 1982 Topps Traded set from a case and got two Reggie Jackson cards. I don't recall off hand which one was missing but it wasn't Ripkin. There are mistakes in the factory sets and I'm sure others have stories as well. That's why I can't understand why a factory set goes for more than a hand collated set. I would take the latter any day because you can check and make sure all the cards are in there. Plus, the majority of the fun for me is in the building of the set. Just my $0.02.

Scott

riccaboni

<< <i>

<< <i>There result is totally know unlike your case of opening packs. >>



That's not exactly true either. I opened a sealed 1982 Topps Traded set from a case and got two Reggie Jackson cards. I don't recall off hand which one was missing but it wasn't Ripkin. There are mistakes in the factory sets and I'm sure others have stories as well. That's why I can't understand why a factory set goes for more than a hand collated set. I would take the latter any day because you can check and make sure all the cards are in there. Plus, the majority of the fun for me is in the building of the set. Just my $0.02.

Scott >>



I once pulled two Kenny Rodgers out of an 1989 Topps Traded set. Again, no idea who was missing, but it is possible to get duplicates.

-Ian

viking7

I agree with what mikeschmidt said. I'd like to add a thought that goes along those lines as it relates to commons. I'm collecting the entire 82 Topps set in high grade (PSA 9/10) on the registry. Finding a tough common that is sharp and will grade a 9 or 10 is just as important to me at this point as finding a nice Ripken or a star card. Sure, I'll always smile when I see the higher dollar cards in high grade but getting to 100% complete requires finding plenty of commons that are sharp and centered too. Down the line you can be sure that those tough to find commons in high grade will be worth good money so if those cards were found in a factory set or a vending case what difference does it make? We all know its a gamble to open anything, but I don't regret breaking any of the 82 product I've opened. I do still have some unopened 82 product so I can see both sides of the coin. I have to say that opening 82 Topps cases/boxes and sending in my own hand picked cards for grading has been a lot of fun and I believe in the long run will be a good investment too. Keep it sealed or open it up, either way it's ok.

FifthScaleRacer

The only people who think it's "foolish" to open a 1982 Topps Factory set, are the same people who have 200 count rookie card lots of Matt Nokes, Danny Tartabull, and Ricky Jordan...but don't want to admit it.

ndleo

I saw one of these sets recently at a local shop. It was shrink wrapped. Did these come sealed from the factory? Did the shrink wrap have the topps logo on it?

Smokie

I have a factory 1982 set I bought about 5 years ago

[URL=http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/smokie5053/media/8e11f861-278c-4a98-a307-1e1e05eaaedf.jpg.html][/URL]

slum22

<< <i>

<< <i>There result is totally know unlike your case of opening packs. >>



That's not exactly true either. I opened a sealed 1982 Topps Traded set from a case and got two Reggie Jackson cards. I don't recall off hand which one was missing but it wasn't Ripkin. There are mistakes in the factory sets and I'm sure others have stories as well. That's why I can't understand why a factory set goes for more than a hand collated set. I would take the latter any day because you can check and make sure all the cards are in there. Plus, the majority of the fun for me is in the building of the set. Just my $0.02.

Scott >>



It is true about factory sets. Back when they first came out, my brother and I bought a 1989 Score FB factory set. The set contained two Mark Rypien RC's so factory errors do occur. The set was $10 back then. Wish we would have bought more, but I was on a 12 year old's budget so I will give myself a pass.

ndleo

Smokie - That looks just like the one I saw in the store. Thanks.

I wasn't even sure it was real until I saw this thread. How much should a sealed set go for? I see opened ones sell for less than $100.

cpamike

From what I understand these boxes were not shrink wrapped when originally sold in 1982.

Stingray

JCPenney exclusive??

esquiresports

Yes - JC Penney exclusive and not originally shrink-wrapped (glued shut, I believe). The 1974 Topps factory sets also were not shrink wrapped. The Topps logo on the wrapping didn't come into use until around 2001 (I'd have to check my sets to confirm the exact year).

brian26

I remember the 1986 Topps Christmas Factory Set (yellow box) wasn't even shrink-wrapped...it just had a sticker seal.

Factory set mistakes happen to this day. The last three sets I've opened have been missing one card and had a double of another card. It happens.

ndleo

<< <i>Yes - JC Penney exclusive and not originally shrink-wrapped (glued shut, I believe). The 1974 Topps factory sets also were not shrink wrapped. The Topps logo on the wrapping didn't come into use until around 2001 (I'd have to check my sets to confirm the exact year). >>



Based on the discussion in 2006 it looks like the set had some type of wrap or seal.

Smokie

Their is one on Amazon, looks like it is shrink wrapped.