Factory Sets Started When?

theorioles

Fellow collectors....Does anyone know when factory sets began? Was it 1981 or later? Do you know which Topps, Fleer and Donruss years had factory sets in the early years starting with 1981 to say 1985?

Thanks a lot!

CDsNuts

1974.

BobaFett72

xmas of 74 by topps.

Estil

Topps did indeed release factory sets through the JCPenney catelog in 1974 (perhaps in the Christmas Wishbook?). Topps would not try again until 1985 (again, I believe these were only sold through the JCPenney catelog). 1986 is when Topps started to release factory sets in full force (but as you can see on BBCE, they didn't make very many of those either so they command a reasonable premium). As you know, Topps continues to do factory sets today and I personally want to get the Red Sox version so my Bostonian wife can have the five bonus Red Sox cards.

Donruss was ahead of the game though. 1982 was their first year for factory sets but these were not sealed in anyway. 1983 is when they first did their factory sets in the 55 card cello "bricks". 1992 would be the last year for Donruss (not sure if these had the cello bricks that year) and Fleer factory sets. As for Fleer, 1986 was the first year but they didn't seal them (with a sticker) until the next year. 1988 is when they started doing retail (colorful box) and hobby (plainer box) with the better exclusives in the hobby sets (of course).

metalmike

I think the 1974 Factory sets were made by an outside vendor- maybe Larry F or Renata G.

swartz1

1982 topps had a factory set...

bigfische

factory sets are the devil

bigred1

I bought a topps 1984 sealed set, supposedly. In brown box and taped. Was wondering the origin of those. Are they from topps?

metalmike

Topps also had factory sets as a bonus for dealers who also sold candy I believe they were a bonus for buying and selling Topps other products..... not sure when this was started but would explain the 1982's and Topps had some kind of set they gave out to big wigs named presentation sets.

brian26

<< <i>Topps did indeed release factory sets through the JCPenney catelog in 1974 (perhaps in the Christmas Wishbook?). Topps would not try again until 1985 (again, I believe these were only sold through the JCPenney catelog). 1986 is when Topps started to release factory sets in full force (but as you can see on BBCE, they didn't make very many of those either so they command a reasonable premium). As you know, Topps continues to do factory sets today and I personally want to get the Red Sox version so my Bostonian wife can have the five bonus Red Sox cards.

Donruss was ahead of the game though. 1982 was their first year for factory sets but these were not sealed in anyway. 1983 is when they first did their factory sets in the 55 card cello "bricks". 1992 would be the last year for Donruss (not sure if these had the cello bricks that year) and Fleer factory sets. As for Fleer, 1986 was the first year but they didn't seal them (with a sticker) until the next year. 1988 is when they started doing retail (colorful box) and hobby (plainer box) with the better exclusives in the hobby sets (of course). >>



Great post. Just one thing to add- Fleer produced a factory set in 06, so I believe those are back now.

ArchStanton

My 1983 factory set arrived in a brown box. The cards were not in numerical or team order.

elsnorto

For football, I believe Topps has consistently offered factory sets since 1984 if I am not mistaken, yes?

Snorto~

scotgreb

Memory is a little fuzzy but I received a 1973 Topps Football factory set on either Christmas 1973 or 1974 (still have it in a binder). The earlier suggestion that distribution may have started with the JC Penney catalog sounds right.