1985 Leaf Baseball
jayhawke
Posts: 1,316 ✭✭✭
Does anyone know the print run on 1985 leaf and is it rarer than 1985 Donruss. I noticed the pop report is eye opening. Donruss has a total of 17,341 cards graded with 6,143-9's and 1,642-10's. Leaf has 1,602 cards graded with 458-9's and 89-10's. Those tough black borders and possible print run could be a reason the pop is so low or maybe just not enough demand. Its possible Leaf just doesn't get any respect like OPC. It is a small set and might be a nice project this year. Any thoughts?
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I know that the Clemens always sells for several times the Donruss version.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
As far as the print run, I'm not sure about those. But, the Leaf cards obviously seem to be harder to find.
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WaltDisneyBoards
Born in Kansas I have always been a Frank White fan.
Clear Skies,
Mark
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
Sportlots FS
I love the OPC baseball sets from the 80s, and was curious to know if Leaf had similar production numbers? I love the way the '85 Donruss set looks with the black borders, and I think the '85 Leaf set (if production numbers were low), might be a great buy. I've seen these boxes pop up here and there - and they typically sell for less than Donruss. What's appealing to me about the set (aside from the look), is that it's less than half the size of its Donruss counterpart (258 cards vs 653), yet still has all of the big rookies. Not to mention, the packs come with a puzzle piece so you don't lose any cards to the gum.
Do any of you guys collect '85 or '86 Leaf?
Jeff
Anyway, I definitely recommend picking up a box or 2. Personally I was more interested in going for the elusive Puckett 10 but I did send in my best example of each of the 2 big boys in my last sub. Was satisfied with the results, considering.
[URL=http://s1150.photobucket.com/user/razorblacks/media/85d_zps90f5fbe0.jpg.html]
Pick some up!
Jeff
I think the RC's from this set are undervalued. Take a quick peek at Ebay and look at how cheaply you can pick up the star RCs in high grade.
Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
TheClockworkAngelCollection
at the 2011 NSCC i ripped a few 86's from Steve. the one thing that sticks in my memory is that one pack had three Ryan's in it, but not all back to back. One well centered, one off centered and one CREASED in half! LOL true story
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
<< <i>Great stuff! Steve had a 1985 case listed on his site that didnt last very long >>
Do you remember how much he wanted to the case?
I'm sold on these - time to pick more up.
Jeff
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
<< <i>Be careful. The likelihood is that whatever RCs and star players you pull are going to be 8 condition or worse. Plus there is very little demand for the cards in any condition. For the doubters, go to Ebay and take a look. >>
I opened a few boxes of these a year or so ago - and I was surprised by how few ended up grading well. I'm also, as you've mentioned - surprised by how cheap you can pick them up on eBay for.
Jeff
This doesn't provide too much help in distinguishing which brands were produced more compared to others but it should give a vague perspective about the hobby's growth. It seems that the general consensus (take this for what it's worth) is that OPC baseball cards were produced in the 3-5% range, depending on year, compared to Topps. My extremely loose guess based on the little peripheral information I've come across is that Leaf production is probably in the 2x-3x that of OPC, depending on the year. Donruss is on record as stating that the introduction of the Leaf brand (and Canadian distribution) was actually a nice boon to their annual sales.
However, production across the board took major leaps both in 1986 and 1987, supposedly growing 100% each year to a 1987 total of 3 billion baseball cards. I suspect that if Donruss recognized the Leaf product as a boon, and factoring in the sizable growth the entire industry saw from 1985 to 1987, there's likely much more 1987 out there than there is 1985. But there's a huge demand gap between 1985, 1986, and 1987.
<< <i>
<< <i>Be careful. The likelihood is that whatever RCs and star players you pull are going to be 8 condition or worse. Plus there is very little demand for the cards in any condition. For the doubters, go to Ebay and take a look. >>
I opened a few boxes of these a year or so ago - and I was surprised by how few ended up grading well. I'm also, as you've mentioned - surprised by how cheap you can pick them up on eBay for. >>
Oddly, a 1987 Leaf Greg Maddux PSA 10 goes for about $200, while I am not seeing any Clemens, but I would bet a 1985 Leaf PSA 10 Clemens would fetch around $100.
<< <i>I came across some vague figures about Donruss and the sportscard industry in general while researching Donruss' Canadian ventures. It doesn't reveal specifics about print runs for any particular manufacturer but the company stated that overall baseball card production for all companies was ~500 million in the late-1970s and that it doubled to ~1 billion cards by the mid-1980s.
This doesn't provide too much help in distinguishing which brands were produced more compared to others but it should give a vague perspective about the hobby's growth. It seems that the general consensus (take this for what it's worth) is that OPC baseball cards were produced in the 3-5% range, depending on year, compared to Topps. My extremely loose guess based on the little peripheral information I've come across is that Leaf production is probably in the 2x-3x that of OPC, depending on the year. Donruss is on record as stating that the introduction of the Leaf brand (and Canadian distribution) was actually a nice boon to their annual sales.
However, production across the board took major leaps both in 1986 and 1987, supposedly growing 100% each year to a 1987 total of 3 billion baseball cards. I suspect that if Donruss recognized the Leaf product as a boon, and factoring in the sizable growth the entire industry saw from 1985 to 1987, there's likely much more 1987 out there than there is 1985. But there's a huge demand gap between 1985, 1986, and 1987. >>
Great input there, Reggie. I know it's not all concrete information, but I do think '85 is the year, if you're buying 80s Leaf. I really think the '85 Leaf Puckett rookie in PSA 10 will eventually command some substantial prices.
Jeff
as for Puckett, that's a toss up between 85 Leaf and O-Pee-Chee
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
5/20/12 SCP Auctions $915.60
3/14/12 Mile High $267.75
<< <i>I love '85 Leaf. I've been trying to pick up Puckett in PSA 10 for about 3 years now and have missed. It's a pop 7 or so I believe. It did sell twice last year, once in the Dimitri Young SCP Auction. It's a much tougher card than the '85 OPC which is plenty tough.
5/20/12 SCP Auctions $915.60
3/14/12 Mile High $267.75 >>
That price gap over 2 months is insane.
Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
<< <i>87 Leaf Maddox IS his best pack issued RC, no question about it
>>
Pack issued I tend to agree. But the '86 Procards will be the card to own over the long haul.
Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
<< <i>
<< <i>I love '85 Leaf. I've been trying to pick up Puckett in PSA 10 for about 3 years now and have missed. It's a pop 7 or so I believe. It did sell twice last year, once in the Dimitri Young SCP Auction. It's a much tougher card than the '85 OPC which is plenty tough.
5/20/12 SCP Auctions $915.60
3/14/12 Mile High $267.75 >>
That price gap over 2 months is insane. >>
That SCP sale was Dimitri Young's card, right?
Jeff
I suspect that if Donruss recognized the Leaf product as a boon, and factoring in the sizable growth the entire industry saw from 1985 to 1987, there's likely much more 1987 out there than there is 1985. But there's a huge demand gap between 1985, 1986, and 1987.
If that's what Donruss said I don't buy it. Maybe '85 was a pleasant surprise, but if '86 and '87 were so great then why did they cut back in '88 and eliminate the brand in '89? Reinventing it as a premium brand in 1990 was genius, though it can hardly be considered the same product due to it being released in the US.
<< <i>Donruss is on record as stating that the introduction of the Leaf brand (and Canadian distribution) was actually a nice boon to their annual sales.
I suspect that if Donruss recognized the Leaf product as a boon, and factoring in the sizable growth the entire industry saw from 1985 to 1987, there's likely much more 1987 out there than there is 1985. But there's a huge demand gap between 1985, 1986, and 1987.
If that's what Donruss said I don't buy it. Maybe '85 was a pleasant surprise, but if '86 and '87 were so great then why did they cut back in '88 and eliminate the brand in '89? Reinventing it as a premium brand in 1990 was genius, though it can hardly be considered the same product due to it being released in the US. >>
About five years ago I told you that sales for the '85 Leaf set were unexpectedly high, and you laughed at me and told me there's no way that was true. Now I see you're changing your tune, and trying to play it off like you were 'really' talking about the '86 and '87 sets. Well, suffice it to say that I'm on to your game now, buck-o. Go peddle your nonsense somewhere else.
Well in 1997 You argued that Frank Thomas cards would be worth more than Griffey. Ever since that day I've been biding my time waiting for you to slip up on an internet message board. That time is now.... Consider yourself SERVED!
<< <i>Donruss is on record as stating that the introduction of the Leaf brand (and Canadian distribution) was actually a nice boon to their annual sales.
I suspect that if Donruss recognized the Leaf product as a boon, and factoring in the sizable growth the entire industry saw from 1985 to 1987, there's likely much more 1987 out there than there is 1985. But there's a huge demand gap between 1985, 1986, and 1987.
If that's what Donruss said I don't buy it. Maybe '85 was a pleasant surprise, but if '86 and '87 were so great then why did they cut back in '88 and eliminate the brand in '89? Reinventing it as a premium brand in 1990 was genius, though it can hardly be considered the same product due to it being released in the US. >>
Who said 86 and 87 were so great? I think you're confusing my industry-wide numbers with any kind of Donruss-specific numbers. Admittedly, that's probably my fault for not posting a completely articulate and coherent message. I was jumbling facts and figures, some of which probably aren't even 100% relevant to this thread.
I would love to be able to know the specifics of what the company thought and perceived in 1985 but I don't. Also, I wasn't aware that they cut back on Leaf product for the 1988 issue.
However, I'll say this: there are plenty of examples in the past of card companies adjusting production runs "on the fly" year to year based on what the previous year did. So it's completely reasonable to assume that 85 was a big success, resulting in a boom in 86 production, which could have been a disappointment, resulting in a reduced production in 87.
Is there really a shortage of 88 Leaf?
<< <i>About five years ago I told you that sales for the '85 Leaf set were unexpectedly high, and you laughed at me and told me there's no way that was true. Now I see you're changing your tune, and trying to play it off like you were 'really' talking about the '86 and '87 sets. Well, suffice it to say that I'm on to your game now, buck-o. Go peddle your nonsense somewhere else.
Well in 1997 You argued that Frank Thomas cards would be worth more than Griffey. Ever since that day I've been biding my time waiting for you to slip up on an internet message board. That time is now.... Consider yourself SERVED! >>
Ah yes- speaking of 1997, I believe that was the year when we were sitting at BW3 drinking beer and you told me that Johnathan Ogden RCs would ultimately be worth more than Ray Lewis RCs, and when I begged to differ you poured a pitcher of Pabst over my head and gave me a wedgie. Well guess what, jerk-off:
ASS MEETS CHAIR!!!