Toughest Display Boxes: 1971-1976

PaulMaul · October 1, 2009 12:28PM

For about 7 years now I've been trying to put together a run of fairly high grade Topps display boxes for the 4 major sports from 1971-1976. The majority of them are not too tough in nice shape. For baseball, 1971 is the only tough one, but I did score a nice one without breaking the bank. Nothing too tough in
football, 1971 the toughest but found a nice one.

The basketball and hockey boxes are tougher, as expected, due to the lower profile. I still have yet to ever see a nice 1971 or 1973 basketball box anywhere.
I struggled with hockey for years, now the only one I need is 1972.

I'd guess '71 basketball will probably be the last one on my checklist. Opinions?

heritage · October 1, 2009 12:33PM

I like the display boxs. They look awesome when Displayed .

initialD · October 1, 2009 12:35PM

I guess you are right with the 71 basketball issue being pretty tough to hunt down

I did see this over at BBCE's blog, and Steve confirms the rarity. But his has all the packs

Price?????

"Sunday, September 27, 2009 Philly Show Review It is the last day here at the Philly show and will probably be a slow day. Football kicks off in a few hours and it may be a ghost town here then! The whole show has pretty much been slow and unexciting. We did however purchase 2 really interesting rare items! The first item was a case of 1976 Topps football rack packs. Case contains 3 boxes, each box with 24 rack packs. That is a pretty rare case that we haven't seen in a loooonnng time. The next item that we bought I don't think I have ever owned. A complete 24-pack box of 1971/72 Topps basketball wax packs. Earlier this year I had some full boxes of 1971 Topps baseball that are very, very rare. This basketball box however is much rarer than the baseball box! I have owned more 1961/62 Fleer basketball unopened product than 71/72 Topps basketball product!! What makes this box special too is that it still contains the original Topps insert piece on top and the 24 packs are just mint. They appear to never have seen the light of day and are glossy as can be. We will be updating the website this week when we return home. Thanks!! Steve"

Griffins · October 1, 2009 1:04PM

'71 seems to be the toughest of the era in most sports- I'm guessing they were underproduced.
Of all Topps issues, the toughest of the era has got to be the '71 Greatest Moment box. I've only seen one (I think JMoran has a scan) and it was a proof. Never seen a pack or wrapper.
Display boxes make for great, uh, displays!

csmtampa · October 1, 2009 1:08PM

That is an amazing display you have there.

Would look nice with my 88 Topps empty box and 92 Fleer empty box

jeffcbay · October 1, 2009 1:25PM

Wow, how do you keep the dust off those things! I would shrink wrap those puppies for sure. Nice display of display boxes!

Bunker · October 1, 2009 2:42PM

Awesome display! What are the Fatima boxes?

justmichael · October 1, 2009 10:00PM

What is a 60 Leaf box worth?A dealer friend of mine just picked one up with about a dozen unopened packs inside.Come to think of it what does a 60 Leaf pack go for?

mrmint23 · October 1, 2009 10:19PM

Very nice...If only those boxes could talk.

jmoran19 · October 1, 2009 11:35PM

After I get the kiddies off to school will post a few pics but for main stream 70's boxes 1971/72 basketball are by far the toughest box, have seen roughly 2-3 on ebay in the last 5 years. By the way, they can be found in either the 12 pack or 24 pack version. Mine is the 24 pack one. John

P.S. Anthony, never get tired of seeing you photo

and5zac · October 2, 2009 12:01AM

Fatima cigarette from early teens.Had team cards in them.That display is awesome!

Lou

daddymc · October 2, 2009 12:24AM

Everytime I see Griffins' box display and/or unopened packs, my jaw drops. I never get tired of seeing pics of those.

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 12:51AM

1971 greatest moments proof box, not mine

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 1:06AM

Ok here's my display cabinet in 2 pics, not quite the range of years as Anthony's but has all the early to mid 70's for baseball, basketball and FB, never played hockey so don't collect it, John

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 1:23AM

A few other cool/rare boxes from the 70's, none are mine

The box/packs that started my obsession, 1970 football cellos

1970 baseball cello box

1970 poster box, top and side view

1971 wax box advertising a contest

1971 cello box

1971 super football cello box, never heard of these but it looks like they would be twice the size of a normal 1971 cello pack, wow

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 1:38AM

1972 cello box

1972 poster box

1974 stamps

Bunker · October 2, 2009 1:45AM

jmoran19 that is a very nice display!

Bunker · October 2, 2009 1:55AM

Does anybody know what year this box is from or what cards may have came in it?

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 2:06AM

bunker thanks!!

The box you posted was used in the early 60's for 10 cent cello packs, maybe even late 50's but not sure about that

initialD · October 2, 2009 6:12AM

jmoran19 that's a killer display!!

Are those packs in the 72-73 basketball?!!

Looks like a store in your home

I envy your will if those are unopened

TheHun · October 2, 2009 6:49AM

those are some awesome displays ... Friday night boxing !

leftofdial · October 2, 2009 12:30PM

Your guys displays are awesome! And putting a Pack with boxes is a great touch! Thanks for all the pics everyone. I'm thinking of starting an empty box collection, since A)I can't afford to buy full ones, and b) I don't have to worry about the Gary's *of the world with any of the packs. I plan on filling them with styrofoam blocks and a packet of silicate like you get in boxes of shoes and then shrink-wrapping them. They will get dusty and they will fade-

*(Not meaning to slight anyone else named Gary that does not live in Clovis, CA temporarily while he lives out his self-loathing earth life until he ends up securely nestled in the fires of hades)

jmoran19 · October 2, 2009 1:01PM

<< <i>jmoran19 that's a killer display!!

Are those packs in the 72-73 basketball?!!

Looks like a store in your home

I envy your will if those are unopened >>

Thanks!!

At one time the 72/73 box had 18 unopened packs but temptation got the better of me and I opened 14 of them. Pulled all the stars including a Dr. J rookie card that SGC graded 92. Still have 4 unopened packs (all graded) so the ones in the picture are just empty wrappers.

initialD · October 2, 2009 1:07PM

<< <i>

<< <i>jmoran19 that's a killer display!!

Are those packs in the 72-73 basketball?!!

Looks like a store in your home

I envy your will if those are unopened >>

Thanks!!

At one time the 72/73 box had 18 unopened packs but temptation got the better of me and I opened 14 of them. Pulled all the stars including a Dr. J rookie card that SGC graded 92. Still have 4 unopened packs (all graded) so the ones in the picture are just empty wrappers. >>

Dr. J rookie is one of my fav cards, congrats on pulling the stars out!

and what a great display again, thanks for sharing

gemint · October 3, 2009 3:08AM

JMoran, is that 1971 baseball cello display box from an auction? If so, that's probably the one I won. I can't remember if I bought it from Lelands or Sportscards Plus. It had five packs remaining plus all the empty pack boxes. I opened one of the packs, sold the ones with Bench and Perry showing on the back as well as a pack with commons showing on front and back. I kept one unopened for my pack collection. The one I opened had a Stargell which was badly OC but it also had a perfectly centered Grich RC. I thought for sure it would be a 9 but it came back an 8 and then didn't bump when I recently sent it in for the review.

jmoran19 · October 4, 2009 1:36AM

<< <i>JMoran, is that 1971 baseball cello display box from an auction? If so, that's probably the one I won. I can't remember if I bought it from Lelands or Sportscards Plus. It had five packs remaining plus all the empty pack boxes. I opened one of the packs, sold the ones with Bench and Perry showing on the back as well as a pack with commons showing on front and back. I kept one unopened for my pack collection. The one I opened had a Stargell which was badly OC but it also had a perfectly centered Grich RC. I thought for sure it would be a 9 but it came back an 8 and then didn't bump when I recently sent it in for the review. >>

Gem, nice pickup. The pic was from a old lelands auction I believe. Do you still have the empty display box? John

heritage · October 4, 2009 8:50AM

Awesome guys you have some really cool Displays there. I only have 2 boxs a 1978 Topps and a 1975 Mini Box.

PaulMaul · January 14, 2018 2:57PM

I can't believe it's been over 8 years since I started this thread. Again, for almost fifteen years I've been working on high grade runs of the following empty wax boxes:

1967-76 Baseball
1971-76 Football, Hockey, Basketball

Since I started this thread, I've upgraded several of my boxes and picked up a couple more. As predicted, the only two I still need at this time are 1971 Basketball and 1972 Hockey. I don't think I've seen either of these boxes on eBay in nice shape since I've been looking. I know '71 Basketball is tough. Not sure if '72 Hockey is particularly tough or if I've just been unlucky with it.

If anyone has nice examples of either of these available give me a holler!

KendallCat · January 14, 2018 3:11PM

Love the thread and display boxes are great to have out and display. Took me a long time to find a 1971 and paid decent for it, and then I am at the Natty and see 6 of them out there for sale

PaulMaul · January 14, 2018 3:30PM

@KendallCat said:

Love the thread and display boxes are great to have out and display. Took me a long time to find a 1971 and paid decent for it, and then I am at the Natty and see 6 of them out there for sale

I was fortunate to get a bunch of these years ago when they were cheaper, but I think I still paid $125 for my '71. I remember I got it in September, 2007 because John Maine was pitching for the Mets in a pennant race!

Toughest Display Boxes: 1971-1976

Comments