Does 1991 Topps Desert Shield (baseball) WAX still exist?

jamesryanbell · July 13, 2008 3:43PM

I bought some back in the day for $40/pack (like 15 years ago or so), but I haven't seen it for years and years. Also, I don't even know what would pass as "legit"...??? (ie. how would you know what was really in there?)

Just curious if it's still out there. If so, link? Price per pack/box?

Thanks guys.

kcards26 · July 13, 2008 3:58PM

Are those the cards that were issued to the troops in Desert Shield? If so,I may know somebody who still has theres. Plmk, Kyle

clayshooter22 · July 14, 2008 1:13AM

Yes. I know of two boxes that were ripped last year. I have bought a few thousand singles and graded cards over the past three years.

Packs go for about $30-45.

I heard one of the boxes was ripped at $800 and the other would not say, because he wanted to sell packs at a decent markup.

There has been some debate by experienced collectors, but the result seems to point to: the wax is impossible to tell unless you open the pack as the foil stamp is on the front and only the card backs face out. Logic might suggest that you need a wax box to know that the other packs are DS packs.

Be assured, any seller (and there are a few on eBay) that say there is 1-15 cards with the logo and the rest do not have the logo...are resealed. In true DS packs all cards have the foil logo.

Mike

jamesryanbell · July 14, 2008 2:29AM

<< Yes. I know of two boxes that were ripped last year. I have bought a few thousand singles and graded cards over the past three years.

Packs go for about $30-45.

I heard one of the boxes was ripped at $800 and the other would not say, because he wanted to sell packs at a decent markup.

There has been some debate by experienced collectors, but the result seems to point to: the wax is impossible to tell unless you open the pack as the foil stamp is on the front and only the card backs face out. Logic might suggest that you need a wax box to know that the other packs are DS packs.

Be assured, any seller (and there are a few on eBay) that say there is 1-15 cards with the logo and the rest do not have the logo...are resealed. In true DS packs all cards have the foil logo.

Mike >>

Yeah, like I said, I've purchased packs in the past, so I know it's all or nothing as far as what cards have the foil stamp.

But thanks for the heads up on that!

I just never, ever see any wax for sale of these cards. Do you know anyone who's got wax?

-- Ryan

jeffcbay · July 14, 2008 3:28AM

I bought a few packs about 4 years ago for $40 each. They do still exist, but be sure the seller guarantees their pack to be authentic with a refund. There is really no way of telling until you rip open the pack. You're taking a real chance in buying the packs too, because they are pretty condition sensitive. Most of them have banged-up corners. I submitted all of the cards I opened from the packs, and only got one 10, about three 9's, and the rest were 8 through 5. The one 10 paid for a pack and a half though, and it was a common (a 1 of 1 at the time). The Desert Shield set is one of the funnest sets to collect (in my opinion), but it's too rich for my blood.

curch · November 2, 2009 5:50AM

I am just getting into these now. Looks like a fun chase!

Nathaniel1960 · November 2, 2009 5:52AM

How easy would it be to create a fake gold foil stamp?

This is an example of a thread that would have a home in the Scams, Fakes and Forgeries Forum I proposed last week.

Beck6 · November 2, 2009 6:04AM

I smell a group rip if someone can come up with a legit box

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · November 2, 2009 6:33AM

<< How easy would it be to create a fake gold foil stamp? >>

Too easy. Unfortunately.

Site on counterfeit DS cards

bigwilli · November 2, 2009 6:40AM

Its funny this thread came up . Last night at work , a guy i worked with said he has 3 boxes and
wanted to know if i wanted to buy some . I told him i would get back to him .

MBMiller25 · November 2, 2009 6:46AM

<< I smell a group rip if someone can come up with a legit box >>

I would be game if we can find a legit box.

tunahead08 · November 2, 2009 6:46AM

<< 

<< How easy would it be to create a fake gold foil stamp? >>

Too easy. Unfortunately.

Site on counterfeit DS cards >>

Heh that site has some decent information but it looks like a 7 year old girl created it in 1998

clayshooter22 · November 2, 2009 7:02AM

I've been trying to get a nice Puckett for about three years.....I'd be game.

larryallen73 · November 2, 2009 7:20AM

That is a cool set.

GoDodgersFan · November 2, 2009 7:24AM

Very interesting set and production run is all over the map.

The packs are too much for my taste and they are so condition sensitive.

Brian48 · November 2, 2009 7:39AM

I believe '91 was the last year in which Topps used the old grey stock. They may have exhausted their supply of it and used some of the cheaper stuff, but it is definitely a little softer than what was used in previous years. It seems corners can get dinged by just looking at them hard.

I've a few graded cards, but not many. This is my favorite set for personal reasons. One day I will have one. Mostly likely raw, but that's OK.

jeffcbay · November 2, 2009 8:36AM

Good luck with this one, VERY hard to find legit packs. Also VERY condition sensitive. If we ever found a legit box, I would be so in for a rip!

PSA's article

I wonder if BBCE has an opinion about this set...

slantycouch · November 2, 2009 8:49AM

<< I smell a group rip if someone can come up with a legit box >>

I'd be in.

I bought a few legit unopened packs on eBay about 4 years ago. Think I paid $40/ea.

frankhardy · November 2, 2009 8:55AM

I might be in for a pack for around $40. I have a Cardinals team set, and yes, it is very condition sensitive. I have had two Cardinals team sets. It is definitely a fun set to have.

mcadams · November 2, 2009 9:31AM

If you buy a box from your friend and propose the group rip, I'm in for 2.

daddymc · November 2, 2009 9:34AM

I'd be game for a pack or two from a legit box.

If I understand correctly though, it would be hard/impossible to slab the packs since there is no way to discern that there are DS cards inside without opening the packs?

ElToroLoco · November 2, 2009 10:56AM

There was a box that was sold on eBay by the Topps Vault for around $1800. It's possible that that box could be graded by the pack by one of the grading companies. I'd keep it as a full box myself.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector · November 2, 2009 11:07AM

GAI slabbed some backs awhile back. Back when there was a few on ebay for $40 ea. raw. Always wanted to buy/bust one, never did.

I can only assume GAI graded them as the submitter had alot and GAI opened one at random to confirm...? or the packs are heavier due to the foil addition?

curch · November 3, 2009 8:15AM

I just picked up the Detroit Tigers set. Looking forward to getting some more.

mcadams · November 3, 2009 11:15AM

<< I just picked up the Detroit Tigers set. Looking forward to getting some more. >>

PSA DOES allow you to set up team registry sets from Desert Shield. We have a Braves registry going now and it makes this awesome set much more collectible as opposed to the $-impossible task of doing the whole set.

curch · November 3, 2009 11:33AM

yeah, grading 792 cards can get costly and if you are going for 8's to 10's it can be dare I say impossible

lostdart58 · November 3, 2009 11:58AM

There used to be a member here who was a big collector of Desert Storm cards....... He used to post about them all the time.......This would be 3 or 4 years ago.

Damn, if I don't remember his name.......He had desert shield cards in his signature........

Does 1991 Topps Desert Shield (baseball) WAX still exist?

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