1981 Topps: Wax or Cello?

spencerdorsey

I'm considering starting a 1981 Topps set in PSA 9 and 10 because of the affordability and condition sensitivity of the set. Do you think I'll have a better shot at 9s and 10s by buying wax or cello boxes? I've seen some pretty good deals for cello boxes between $70 and $90 plus shipping so I might go with those.

Thanks,
Spencer

slaphappy

Wax is usually better than cello. Cello tends to be either wrapped to tight or too loose causing damage.

Sportsamerica

Wax

ldferg

my experience has been better with wax.

jeffcbay

Rack an option?

twiley

I am jealous. I wish I had the time or energy to put this set together. Eventually I would like to put 1980-1986 together.

There was an older thread on here a few years ago about the 1981 Topps set. It was an interesting read on which was best for grading. The owner of the #1 set gave some good input on it.

I believe it was in this order

Rack Packs
Wax
Cello
Vending

But please don't quote me on that.


From my experience with the 1984 Topps set I am currently working on I have had this...

Best results to least results

Rack Packs
Wax
Vending
Cello

Also I remember there being some low pop PSA 10 star power in the 1981 set too. I think I saw a 1981 Topps #180 Pete Rose PSA 10 card go for a couple of grand a couple of years ago.

Best of luck on your set.

DavidPuddy

Busting 81's is fool's gold. They are super tough.

I have a bunch available. Drop me a PM for the a list if you want.

lsutigers1973

<< <i>Rack an option? >>



Assuming he is talking about baseball, rack are probably the worst for 81 Topps because of how they were wrapped. The majority of the 81s were grocery racks which were also wrapped in cello in each compartment.

The regular racks which are pretty hard (almost impossible) to find in a full box, are extremely loose and susceptible to corner and edge damage.

ShootyBabitt

I started putting this set together a few months ago. For my first crack at it, I bought a wax box and submitted 42 cards that I thought has a chance at 9-10. I received four 10s, thirteen 9s, one 8.5, eighteen 8s, one 9oc, three 7s and two N8:miscuts. I also learned two things - look at the cards closer and buy cheap 9s and 10s on eBay or here on the boards. Since I still like searching through cards myself, I might try the vending box route next. I think you can get about three for the price of one wax box (with nearly three times the amount of cards).

hammered

Vending is good for 81 because it is ridiculously cheap
You can get an unopened box for $30+
I've pulled 10s out of vending, maybe 2 per box
Like others have said 81s are much tougher than most people realize
Most vending stars will be O/C or covered in print
At least that's been my experience after opening over 20 boxes or so

spencerdorsey

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll either buy wax or vending.

PlayBall

Welcome to the club!

Having worked on a 81 Topps registered set for the past 10 years, my experience is that wax has been the most consistent. A good rack box would yield the best results, but I've got multiple rack boxes sitting in my garage that aren't worth opening, because there aren't any cards that would even get an 8.

For the most part I've given up on buying raw, since I'm down to about 220 upgrades, but I still open a box here and there hoping that a gem #180 Rose is sitting in there. I'd even take a stinkin' #18 Glenn Adams at this point.

Good luck,
Bernie

lsutigers1973

<< <i>Vending is good for 81 because it is ridiculously cheap
You can get an unopened box for $30+
I've pulled 10s out of vending, maybe 2 per box
Like others have said 81s are much tougher than most people realize
Most vending stars will be O/C or covered in print
At least that's been my experience after opening over 20 boxes or so >>



I've opened wax, rack, cello, vending and even cut card cases of 1981. My only 10's have come from wax.

ThoseBackPages

wow BBCE doesnt even have '81 vending