First Pack Rip Since '94, Interesting Pull.

ymarea

I've been collecting complete Topps baseball sets since 1970 and, until 1995, have always gone about it by buying and ripping wax packs. The thrill of discovering hidden treasures, the gum, and the ability to hand-pick the best possible cards had a very strong allure. As I got older, responsibilities increased while free time and disposable cash decreased. Since 1995 I have been buying factory sets...boring but efficient...and upgrading as necessary.

Today, just for kicks, I broke down and bought some 2008 Series 1 packs. What happened to the wax? It's all foil now and NO gum! Oh well, I digress. The packs had some pretty nifty inserts, but I found this one to be the coolest. I am now the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind collectible. Topps says so!



At first glance I saw the "A K E" at the top of the card and thought to myself, "What's this black-and-white crap? Ake?? Must be some kind of Japanese card." Once my keen eye focused in on the A-Rod image, I figured out what it was and thought it was pretty nifty.

Bosox1976

Reese3333

Way to go!

grote15

That is really cool! Congrats!

zep33

great pull!!!

baseballfan

very nice!!! not a bad way to jump back into ripping

ymarea

<< <i>very nice!!! not a bad way to jump back into ripping >>



Those folks at Topps are insidious. This is a clever way to lure you into buying tons of packs. There must have been a dozen different insert sets, and that's just Series 1. I, however, shall remain strong and resist the temptation to keep on buying.

Stone193

That's a tremendous pull!

Some people collect the printing plates - we had a discussion about this.

Someone asked how the heck is that gonna work - if the ink is applied to the plate and then cardboard, it would be backwards - which is true.

That's why I'm sure they use the "off-set" printing process for the cards - in this case the ink is applied to the plate - large sheet plate (yours was probably cut out of the plate sheet) and then it's transferred to a rubber roller which then applies the ink to the cardboard.

Superb item - congratulations.
mike

Estil

You know that plate will bring some major coin on the 'Bay. So what will you do? Keep it or cash in?

ymarea

<< <i>You know that plate will bring some major coin on the 'Bay. So what will you do? Keep it or cash in? >>



Stone, very interesting info. Thanks.

Estil, I imagine I'll keep it for a while. If I hold onto it for about 10-15 years, it should fetch a nice sum.

lawnmowerman

Sell that thing and buy more Emmitt cards

ymarea

<< <i>Sell that thing and buy more Emmitt cards >>



The temptation is there, but I must remain disciplined.

brianwintersfan

<< <i>If I hold onto it for about 10-15 years, it should fetch a nice sum. >>



You're kidding I hope

mreuter

<< <i> I'll keep it for a while. If I hold onto it for about 10-15 years, it should fetch a nice sum. >>



If looking to get top dollar, cards like these should be sold immediately while the product is still "hot". The longer you wait, the more things come along to distract possible buyers, such as, Series 2 (if it hasn't already), football season (some guys are just waiting for the new rookies to perform so they can drop a ton of cash into somebody) or Madonna dumps him, he tries to go back to his wife, she doesn't take him and he pulls an O.J. or something (I know, I know, he didn't do it). I am the king of sitting on cards because I had a lucky pull and just had to keep them for awhile. Now, I could only get a fraction of what I would have made at the time but I was never in it for the money, just the joy (or agony sometimes) of collecting.

ymarea

I've never bought a card, intentionally or otherwise, with the intention of selling it. The only cards I've ever sold are duplicates I've accumulated while upgrading sets. However, you who advocate selling this one have piqued my interest. Any ideas what such an item would sell for or what I should be asking?

zep33

<< <i>

If looking to get top dollar, cards like these should be sold immediately while the product is still "hot". The longer you wait, the more things come along to distract possible buyers, such as, Series 2 (if it hasn't already), football season (some guys are just waiting for the new rookies to perform so they can drop a ton of cash into somebody) or Madonna dumps him, he tries to go back to his wife, she doesn't take him and he pulls an O.J. or something (I know, I know, he didn't do it). I am the king of sitting on cards because I had a lucky pull and just had to keep them for awhile. Now, I could only get a fraction of what I would have made at the time but I was never in it for the money, just the joy (or agony sometimes) of collecting. >>




couldn't have been spoken better. If only I could learn from that

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>

If looking to get top dollar, cards like these should be sold immediately while the product is still "hot". The longer you wait, the more things come along to distract possible buyers, such as, Series 2 (if it hasn't already), football season (some guys are just waiting for the new rookies to perform so they can drop a ton of cash into somebody) or Madonna dumps him, he tries to go back to his wife, she doesn't take him and he pulls an O.J. or something (I know, I know, he didn't do it). I am the king of sitting on cards because I had a lucky pull and just had to keep them for awhile. Now, I could only get a fraction of what I would have made at the time but I was never in it for the money, just the joy (or agony sometimes) of collecting. >>




couldn't have been spoken better. If only I could learn from that >>




Damn Roger Clemens and his 1984 Fleer Update I should have unloaded a year ago

TNTonPMS

Sweet Pull !
You're lucky .

wanna sell it ?

mreuter

<< <i>I've never bought a card, intentionally or otherwise, with the intention of selling it. The only cards I've ever sold are duplicates I've accumulated while upgrading sets. However, you who advocate selling this one have piqued my interest. Any ideas what such an item would sell for or what I should be asking? >>



I just did a quick completed auctions search, looks like A-Rod printing plates from 2006-2007 sell between $27-$38 (one did sell for $43), 2008 A-Rod Printing Plates have sold between $43-$58 (one did sell for $36).

fandango

Awesome Pull! nice to see a legit printing plate, not like all those fakes that come from Taiwan!

be very careful buying printing plates online BTW...

this one is a HR!

ymarea

<< <i>Sweet Pull !
You're lucky .

wanna sell it ? >>



Thanks for the info, everybody. I've decided to keep it since it isn't likely to bring in very much. It'll make a nice conversation piece.

lsutigers1973

<< <i>I've decided to keep it since it isn't likely to bring in very much. >>



You are exactly right. It is absolutely worthless because you waited too long to sell it. I will PM you my mailing address.

Estil

It's a 2008 card, we're still very much in the 2008 season; I think he could still sell it at its peak value if he so chooses. Just don't wait too much longer.

ymarea

<< <i>

<< <i>I've decided to keep it since it isn't likely to bring in very much. >>



You are exactly right. It is absolutely worthless because you waited too long to sell it. I will PM you my mailing address. >>



Bill, I already have your address. In fact, you should be receiving a bubble mailer from me either Monday or Tuesday.

lsutigers1973

Bubble mailer? WOOHOO!!! I love bubblemailers!! Does it have this Arod character in it too?

ymarea

No, just more 1972's.

lsutigers1973

Brett you are the most awesomest in all the lands.