1950's Vending stamped cards?

vladguerrero

Were some 1950's Topps vending box cards stamped on the back in red? Maybe in particular a red star with a rope molding border? If not, could these have been salesman samples? They came from a non collector whose father worked in the vending business for 50 years. Obviously, pics would be great but I'll think I'll wait to see if I can get a deal done with the seller first.

digicat

The story I heard was that store owners who had card vending machines in their shops would stamp one or more cards, and offer some sort of prize to the kids who pulled them. I don't know if the stamp was given out by Topps or not, but it seems like it might have been, given the consistency of the stamp design.

However, from what I understand, the cards didn't leave the Topps factory with stamps on them, they were added by the vending machine owners.


Here's a card I used to own that had the stamp on it.

vladguerrero

Thanks Digi, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I believe every card in the lot has the stamp (awaiting photos), so I'm guessing it's more than a prize thing. Maybe Topps did it to indicate a vending card? ...maybe cards they bought back from retailers turned into assorted vending boxes and the stamps were to indicate that? Doesn't explain why these stamps aren't more prevalent though, even on 50's cards.

digicat

<< <i>Thanks Digi, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I believe every card in the lot has the stamp (awaiting photos), so I'm guessing it's more than a prize thing. Maybe Topps did it to indicate a vending card? ...maybe cards they bought back from retailers turned into assorted vending boxes and the stamps were to indicate that? Doesn't explain why these stamps aren't more prevalent though, even on 50's cards. >>



PSA treats the vending stamp as a "MK", so any card you submit with it on it will get a qualifier. SportsModerator1 came on once and said that the vending stamp was put there by the vending machine owner, not Topps.

Some folks are willing to pay a premium for cards with the stamp though. PSA 8 Cepedas usually go for <$50. I sold the above one for $75.

vladguerrero

Yeah, my excitement to grade a lot of these cards has decreased based on the MK qualifier (which is understandable). I also don't think Topps made the stamps, but maybe it's one of those things where the reseller has a contract to mark them... similar to the garment industry selling brand name at discount stores and you see the black sharpie or tags cut off completely.

fkw

Does anyone have proof a vendor put the stamp on the card? Its not like it says anything, its just a design.
It looks to me like any collector could have stamped all his cards with a stamp, ie like the hundreds of early "T", "E", "D", "M", cards with the "TOY TOWN POST OFFICE" stamp on back.

some pay a premium for these stamped cards, but in reality it should be limited because anyone who locates a stamp (or makes one) can make more of these cards. 50% premium is good. ...........or worse would be some con making up some great story to go with a cool looking stamp and start stamping cards NOW.

digicat

Yeah, that's the problem with 3rd party alterations like this. They can potentially continue to be altered.

mlbfan2

<< <i>Some folks are willing to pay a premium for cards with the stamp though. PSA 8 Cepedas usually go for <$50. I sold the above one for $75. >>



Is that common, or are you saying that because of that one sale?

vladguerrero

The cards I'm looking at are being sold by the son who has no interest in cards, neither did his father who was apparently in the vending business for 50 years. The cards are not just one year, but are a mix of 2 years worth of releases. They are in a Topps vending box. The cards all appear to have this stamp. Personally, I can see paying a premium for a specific player I collect. Getting an entire lot though makes me wonder if I'll even go as high as regular cards... knowing PSA will give me a qualifier which will drop the cards 2 full grades. It's a shame, I didn't see this stamp initially, the cards are beautiful.

Dpeck100

If the cards have strong centering and sharp corners buy them.

You can't go wrong buying cards in this condition from 1959 even with a stamp on them.

TonyC

<< <i>If the cards have strong centering and sharp corners buy them.

You can't go wrong buying cards in this condition from 1959 even with a stamp on them. >>



Seconded!

Additionally, if you sell the ones you don't want and explain the provenance, some player collectors may jump at the chance to own one of these. Some people may think you are making it up, especially since you would be selling so many at one time, but if your story is convincing and you can find some online resources to direct them to in order to validate your story, I think you will do well.

vladguerrero

cards are from 1956/57/58 actually, i'm trying to come to a deal, we'll see what happens...

digicat

IF you do get these graded and they all get MK qualifiers, make sure you put a pic of the back in all the auctions.




<< <i><< Some folks are willing to pay a premium for cards with the stamp though. PSA 8 Cepedas usually go for <$50. I sold the above one for $75. >>



Is that common, or are you saying that because of that one sale? >>



Well, at least me and one other guy were willing to pay a premium for that "stamp" card.

Probstein123

if psa will give it an MK, then I'd stay away and not invest...cards will qualifiers will never make it...

if psa would specify the stamp as something special without using the MK, then this would be gold...