Would Anyone ever try to complete the 87 Topps BB set ?
tennesseebanker
Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
I cracked a case of these this weekend and love the cards. Makes me think I am in high school again.
Anyways, I got to thinking what a beautiful set this would be completely graded. And wondered if anyone would ever be brave enough or stupid enough to complete this set graded. It is a Hoss of a set, but getting almost 800 cards slabbed @ $5 bucks a piece would run you almost $4000 in grading fees alone. I may try to get all the big stars and rookies slabbed myself, So if the set is ever economically feasible to complete I would at least have those done. You would also have to think about the time it would take to complete this monster, A lot of the cards havent even seen a slab yet so finding cards already graded would be difficult as well.
Anyways, I got to thinking what a beautiful set this would be completely graded. And wondered if anyone would ever be brave enough or stupid enough to complete this set graded. It is a Hoss of a set, but getting almost 800 cards slabbed @ $5 bucks a piece would run you almost $4000 in grading fees alone. I may try to get all the big stars and rookies slabbed myself, So if the set is ever economically feasible to complete I would at least have those done. You would also have to think about the time it would take to complete this monster, A lot of the cards havent even seen a slab yet so finding cards already graded would be difficult as well.
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Comments
Having said that, it is not a set that is widely loved. So, if you want to get the entire set graded (I think it is 792 cards), I would do it as a labor of love rather than an investment. There are a ton of 10's out there for the stars already and many aren't fetching over $20.00. A PSA 10 McGwire couldn't sell for $11.00 recently.
I'm looking to get a factory set to put in a binder as I do not want to spend the $4 - $5K on getting it graded. If you do want to get it graded, I would take the route you are taking. Trying to complete the set in pieces would be maddening and impossible I believe. In other words, you would have to send some cards in anyway.
God luck and keep us posted.
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Good luck!
Brian
Shane
The stars sell...but what to do with 600-800 raw singles?
I've started off slow...grading stuff that I like..or hope to sell at shows...ie. Red Sox..Yankees and NY Mets.
I figure what I will do with the rest is submit them with larger bulk orders that I know will absorb the pricing.
Like if I send 500 cards to get graded for $2500 and 100 of them 87's and 89's....as long as the OTHER cards come back and will pay for the order....the 87's and 89's should be virtually free....
Again...IF they come back and can cover the cost of shipping.
That way, I can build them up slowly.
<< <i>Any guesses how much an entire set graded in PSA 10 would bring? >>
It shouldn't bring a penny more than an ungraded gem mint set. PSA is not a product, it's a service. I suppose with the set registry craze and the slabbing hysteria it WOULD bring more, but it shouldn't bring more. Rather than spend the money to get the cards graded yourself, it would probably be easier and less expensive to pick them up on ebay for $2-$5 a piece. Once you've absorbed the majority of the cards at someone else's expense, then you can get the remainders graded and have a complete PSA set for much less than the $4k required to do it yourself.
1988 Donruss set building.
But 4k for an 'opinion', and on a guaranteed losing venture? I could see if that 'opnion' made your set triple it's profit...but jeesh.
I like the set also - it's great looking a la 62T.
Now, I agree - it would look nice graded - but it also looks good in a nice binder.
And one can do a lot of damage with 4K!
Good luck - what ever you choose?
mike
If that is how you feel then go for it. 4k in grading IMO for the long term may not be that bad of a deal. You would have the only set graded, and IMO as the years go by the kids that bought that set back in the day will want to have a registry set too. I would try for all 10's though (I know you will get plenty of 9's) A 9.50 set should be the goal.
It is not always about the money contrary to what many here think.
I would like to do the 86 set myself.
As the years go by these 80's sets may start to hit the registry.
just because they were massed produced does not mean that you can find gem examples easily.
Steve
<< <i>'87 Topps is near and dear to my heart as well since it was the first set I collected. I bought a factory sealed Tiffany set off eBay for around $50 a few weeks ago. It's still sealed but I'll likely open it and put it in a binder. Cheap entertainment. >>
That is the way to go!!
I agree 100%. I cannot imagine spending that kind of money on a set like that when it would look just as nice in a binder. I would rather spend $20 on a factory set and $20 for a binder and pages. Then take $3960 and buy some nice vintage. That kind of money would buy some decent 50's sets.
Shane
<< <i>Why spend 4k on somebody's opinion if the card is mint or not? You have eyes, if you see the card as mint, there you go. I couldn't imagine one being able to display the entire set, so uniformity of the holder shouldn't matter. If it doesn't, there are plenty of cheap 'uniform' holders one could use for display of the entire set.
But 4k for an 'opinion', and on a guaranteed losing venture? I could see if that 'opnion' made your set triple it's profit...but jeesh. >>
Exactly
What makes their opinion any better that his
If they have to look at corners with a loupe then what does it matter
That other thread says the graders do 40 cards an hour
Hell I would be burned out in a day at that rate
My Sports Cards/Magazines
Cards/Mags
So when does today's modern become tomorrow's vintage?
<< <i>
So when does today's modern become tomorrow's vintage? >>
Its a great question and it has bothered me for years. It is absurd that cards such as the 75 Topps set is classified as modern as say a mid 90's issue.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
That is a great question, at some point in the past even the 52 topps set was a modern set, Same could be said for any set. When does someone try to start a modern set and beat the rush of collectors who will raise the prices of the cards with thier demand for them ? 20-25 years from now some of us may have wished we had started an 87 Topps registry today.
<< <i>So when does today's modern become tomorrow's vintage? >>
That is a great question, at some point in the past even the 52 topps set was a modern set, Same could be said for any set. When does someone try to start a modern set and beat the rush of collectors who will raise the prices of the cards with thier demand for them ? 20-25 years from now some of us may have wished we had started an 87 Topps registry today. >>
Except the '87 Topps set won't be worth 4K in 25 years. It was worth more when it came out than it is today. Late 80's junk won't appreciate beyond inflation, imo. Not in this lifetime. And if it did reach those levels, imagine what the pre 1980 sets would be at.
<< <i>
<< <i>So when does today's modern become tomorrow's vintage? >>
That is a great question, at some point in the past even the 52 topps set was a modern set, Same could be said for any set. When does someone try to start a modern set and beat the rush of collectors who will raise the prices of the cards with thier demand for them ? 20-25 years from now some of us may have wished we had started an 87 Topps registry today. >>
Except the '87 Topps set won't be worth 4K in 25 years. It was worth more when it came out than it is today. Late 80's junk won't appreciate beyond inflation, imo. Not in this lifetime. And if it did reach those levels, imagine what the pre 1980 sets would be at. >>
What's interesting is that in the past 15 years or so virtually no mainstream baseball sets post-1960 have beaten inflation. A lot of people like to say that the '63 set or whatever is a great investment with a strong track record, but the evidence doesn't appear to support this.
Also, I agree that you will never-- and I mean never-- see a time when the demand for '80's sets comes anywhere close to challenging the supply.
<< <i> [Except the '87 Topps set won't be worth 4K in 25 years. It was worth more when it came out than it is today. Late 80's junk won't appreciate beyond inflation, imo. Not in this lifetime. And if it did reach those levels, imagine what the pre 1980 sets would be at. >>
So, "vintage" should be attached to cards that have monetary value only? With this logic 1987 Topps and endless earlier issues will be "modern" in the year 2345.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
<< <i>
<< <i> [Except the '87 Topps set won't be worth 4K in 25 years. It was worth more when it came out than it is today. Late 80's junk won't appreciate beyond inflation, imo. Not in this lifetime. And if it did reach those levels, imagine what the pre 1980 sets would be at. >>
So, "vintage" should be attached to cards that have monetary value only? With this logic 1987 Topps and endless earlier issues will be "modern" in the year 2345. >>
I never used the term "vintage", and don't put your worthless words in my mouth. Go troll someplace else. My post is there for all to read and comprehend for what it is--read it again, or find someone who can read to do it for you.
<< <i>The only troll is thou, chum-p. (Try to) read that to yourself without moving your lips.
The only loser here is you, fatshat, (try to) read that to yourself without moving your netherlips.
basestealer, I am so happy that people harass you. I hope it gets worse, you DESERVE IT
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
<< <i>It wasn't much of a retort, was it softparade? Ah well, he brings it on himself, always.
I do? How does one "bring it on themselves"? By posting, right? My merely posting is what brings it on. Unbelievable.
"All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
The best part is you then try to come off as well-reasoned, though in point of fact, you're little more than a provocateur unable to make use of spell-check.
<< <i>You bring it on yourself with your own snide-ness. It would be one thing if it was combined with any sense of wit - but alas, in this you are sorely lacking, despite your best efforts at backfill.
The best part is you then try to come off as well-reasoned, though in point of fact, you're little more than a provocateur unable to make use of spell-check.
There was nothing snide about my post to this thread. Seething with anger and jealousy, you see snideness where none exists. You invent and fabricate exchanges that never took place. You create a fantasy, ever easy in the cyberworld, where that chip you wear on your shoulder creates the delusion and the self-justification for you to harass and gang bully innocent people simply because you've convinced yourself that they "deserve it", even though any objective viewer who reads my posts knows that isn't true. It is entirely your fault, and the gang mentality that exists here, that creates this situation.
I saw "IMO" after my posts--that should stop your stubby little rage fingers in their tracks. Sadly, you are out for blood and nothing I say short of leaving this forum completely, will be good enough. And you know that damn well. The pathetic part of this is that you don't know the first thing about me, nor me you--except from what I've seen of you here, and that precludes spending an iota of time futhering the endeavor to know you better.
At no time was "investment" brought into the picture with his original post - he was just asking about grading a more modern set.
Personally, I think it's too expensive since I just can't afford it.
But, if one can - it would be something - and as Winpitcher said - I would shoot for 9+ overall - so get as many 10s as possible.
I just don't know - but talking about future appreciation just seems to suck the fun out of it.
mike
<< <i> Personally, I think it's too expensive since I just can't afford it.
But, if one can - it would be something - and as Winpitcher said - I would shoot for 9+ overall - so get as many 10s as possible.
I just don't know - but talking about future appreciation just seems to suck the fun out of it.
mike >>
The one silver lining of course is that unopened is cheap cheap cheap! If one did want to grade an entire set it would not cost an arm and a leg to accumulate enough crisp raw of each and every card that could be 9+ material.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
yep.
Steve
Just wait till I submit my super duper extra sharp crisp and glossy 92UD set!!!!
It will be sight to behold!
Boo wouldn't that depend on what a person has into a set? Or are you talking strictly book values?
Steve
WOULD KINDA BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
Steve
<< <i>What's interesting is that in the past 15 years or so virtually no mainstream baseball sets post-1960 have beaten inflation. A lot of people like to say that the '63 set or whatever is a great investment with a strong track record, but the evidence doesn't appear to support this.
Boo wouldn't that depend on what a person has into a set? Or are you talking strictly book values?
Steve >>
Yeah, just talking BV. Or, actually, just comparing the prices you see for '60's cards in late '80's issues of Baseball Cards Magazine with the prices that those same cards sell for today on Ebay. I always thought that these early '60's sets in particular had really gone up in price in the past 10 years, but they haven't. The price for most of these sets and singles is the same-- in nominal dollars-- that it is today, which means they haven't even beaten inflation.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
<< <i>perhaps we need to see if we can all band together and shorten the supply of late80s cards. we all pick a set and buy a cases of cards of that set. $500 should buy around 5-10 cases of any given baseball product around this time (aside from 87 fleer/don, 1989 UD, too expensive). when we each have our product, we can all agree to meet on an old abandoned baseball diamond, not unlike Field Of Dreams, and hold our own "Donruss Demolition Night" or "Terrorize Terrible Topps Tonite"........have a good old fashioned pig roast over the fire. now THAT would be a card show!!! disturbingly, i'm halfway serious about this. heck, spending $4k-5k (the cost of getting a cheap set graded) would yield around 1000 cases from a grateful dealer and the enjoyment and stories coming from this would greatly outweigh the 'fun' of collecting the set. of course, if you like, we can break down all the product, cherry pick the best cards, and throw the rest on the fire......
WOULD KINDA BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
Good idea! I proposed something similar in my ebay guide on the subject
Junk-era baseball cards
I think a lot of people who started collecting back then (me included) felt a little ripped off by the situation we found ourselves in a decade later. The set designs were great, we bought them in bundles, we cared for them like no generation had done previously, and the end result was a mass of a billion cards that had lost nearly all their value. And I don't consider late 80's product to be modern, since the years have gone by and modern now seems to refer to the modern technology used in current issues. So I define modern (I define it, me, my opinion) baseball cards as post 1992.
dive in and go for the 87 set in PSA 9/10.
<< <i>
<< <i>What's interesting is that in the past 15 years or so virtually no mainstream baseball sets post-1960 have beaten inflation. A lot of people like to say that the '63 set or whatever is a great investment with a strong track record, but the evidence doesn't appear to support this.
Boo wouldn't that depend on what a person has into a set? Or are you talking strictly book values?
Steve >>
Yeah, just talking BV. Or, actually, just comparing the prices you see for '60's cards in late '80's issues of Baseball Cards Magazine with the prices that those same cards sell for today on Ebay. I always thought that these early '60's sets in particular had really gone up in price in the past 10 years, but they haven't. The price for most of these sets and singles is the same-- in nominal dollars-- that it is today, which means they haven't even beaten inflation. >>
Do you remember buying the Beckett back in the late 80's and seeing tons of plus and minus signs in front of the pre 1970's cards? I do. Every month it seemed the prices changed like the stock market, more up than down, like a roller coaster to the moon. And as the modern issues increased, and Beckett had to make room for the new stuff, the vintage card lists were shortened, and received less pricing activity. Now, you hardly ever see any movement in the priceguides for anything produced prior to 2000. Month after month it's always the same. One reason I cancelled my subscription--the annual guide fits the bill, and even the annuals don't change much from year to year anymore.
<< <i>Several collectors are working on all graded sets from the early to mid 80's. Sooner or later someone will
dive in and go for the 87 set in PSA 9/10. >>
The 84 Donruss set is really hot with A GREAT thread in the Set Registry forum not to mention a recent SMR writeup. I have always loved 85 Topps out of the mid to late Topps issues. Lots of guys like the 86 set with black borders ..... they all were really great cards and if they were produced in the numbers of yesteryear without the glut ALOT more people would like them. It is a shame!
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
or it could take 1 case if you get a nice case. i remm back in the day some cases produced nice mint cards when others would produce crap. this was especially true in 86.
If I remm a specific 86 rack case run had gems.
Steve
Something else that could fuel demand for the 87 set is the potential future Hall of famers. If one person were to build a very high grade set now, it would probably be the only one in the market for a while as well ; and while there are a lot of raw 87 topps sets, there are none completely graded.
<< <i>Personally, I think you'd be nuts to get them graded. Just keep cracking cases until you get a full set that lives up to YOUR standards, not someone else's. Read this thread about Downgoesfrazier's pursuit of the perfect 1986 set for a little inspiration. I found that far more interesting than reading about someone submitting hundreds of cards to PSA and then complaining because they didn't get as many 10s as they were hoping. >>
I have to completely agree with the above.
Certainly my pursuit of the '86 set has alot to do with this. Over the past 2 or so years Ive opened dozens upon dozens of 86 rack boxes and managed to put together around half the set in what I feel to be perfect condition. By that I mean perfectly centered cards with zero chipping or white showing, and all with rich " wet " looking black borders. When perfect the '86 cards are absolutely stunning.
As value goes the '87 cards are right there with the '86 in that neither will ever be worth what is put into them, but each have great eye appeal and charm when a great example comes along.
Like Skin mentioned there are uniform holders for cards if you intend on displaying them, so why not trust your own judgement and save yourself a pile of $$ and go that route.
Good luck whatever you decide. By even considering the '87 set proves your love of collecting and hobby rather than less innocent and money driven motives.
-- Yogi Berra