1971 Topps Wax Box - Seen One Lately?

esquiresports · November 9, 2011 7:36AM

Hello. I'm new to the forum. Please let me know if you have seen a complete 1971 Topps baseball wax box come up for sale or auction in the last two years or less? The last box I recall was on bbcexchange for $10K and it sold quickly. I was wondering what the going price is on a box (any series would do) these days. Seems very difficult to find 1970s reputable unopened material these days. Unsure if that's because it's being held by collectors, opened for grading, or a combination of the two.

Thanks!

gemint · November 9, 2011 7:38AM

Welcome! '71 wax packs/boxes are probably the rarest of the 70s. It's been years since I've seen a full box. Perfect Card Company used to break them in the 90s. As you mentioned, Steve also had a '71 wax box for sale. If I'm not mistaken, Felicia purchased it. Not sure what ever happened to it. I would say $10k-$15k would be the price range, though a high series box would go for more.

70ToppsFanatic · November 9, 2011 7:47AM

There were some vending boxes at one of the major auction houses either early this year or late last year that
I think went in the $10k-$12k range. As for wax boxes, haven't seen a full one in a long time (but I am looking
for one).

I do have some 71 unopened racks coming in shortly and will post some scans when they arrive

lahmejoon · November 9, 2011 8:09AM

Why is unopened material from this year so rare? Is it just that the set is widely popular, or were there some production issues back in the early 70's?

70ToppsFanatic · November 9, 2011 8:41AM

<< Why is unopened material from this year so rare? Is it just that the set is widely popular, or were there some production issues back in the early 70's? >>

The wax pack production levels were lowered by Topps in 1971. I do not believe that cello and rack productions were reduced.
I think thr production drop was deliberate because 1969 and 1970 wax pack sales had fallen.

esquiresports · December 5, 2011 9:33AM

Thanks everyone. I have a lead on a 1971 wax box certified by BBCE. I don't have a lot of leverage, unfortunately. I think I'll have to pay north of $500/pack. If I had only been in the hunt a few years ago when several came to auction and the economy was even worse than now. Will keep you posted and upload a few pics if I can close the deal.

RonBurgundy · December 5, 2011 9:55AM

Sure, I see one every time I visit my safety deposit box. Bought the last one that BBCE had.

gemint · December 5, 2011 8:22PM

<< Thanks everyone. I have a lead on a 1971 wax box certified by BBCE. I don't have a lot of leverage, unfortunately. I think I'll have to pay north of $500/pack. If I had only been in the hunt a few years ago when several came to auction and the economy was even worse than now. Will keep you posted and upload a few pics if I can close the deal. >>

What series is it?

corvette1340 · December 5, 2011 8:56PM

<< Sure, I see one every time I visit my safety deposit box. Bought the last one that BBCE had. >>

Live rip?

jeffcbay · December 5, 2011 9:21PM

<< Sure, I see one every time I visit my safety deposit box. Bought the last one that BBCE had. >>

Tease!

RonBurgundy · December 5, 2011 9:41PM

Live rip?

Sure, I'll sell to the boards so they can rip. $995 per pack & I'm not kidding.

scmavl · December 5, 2011 10:38PM

A Munson in PSA 9 would make it all worth it.

esquiresports · February 26, 2012 2:36PM

I was able to pick up a 1971 Topps wax box. 4th Series. BBCE sealed, but not purchased from them. Would love to open the box and look at the packs, but I know I'll lose value once that seal his been broken and can't bring myself to do that (yet). Not tempted to open the packs. GF thinks the whole thing is more than a little crazy, but I have to say that I enjoy seeing it a lot more than the enjoyment I was getting earning 1% a year on the cash in bank.

I'm still looking for more 1971 Topps material. Just to try to figure how much I overpaid if nothing else. Hah. Anyone seen a 1971 Topps cello box in the last decade or so?

Will post photos soon, but it looks like a wax box. Nothing too exciting. Pretty nice condition.

grote15 · February 26, 2012 2:46PM

Congrats, Esquire! Did you buy the box from a CU board member? A 71 cello box will be even tougher to find than a 71 wax box...once you toss out all those fake grocery cellos, it's hard to find an single authentic pack let alone a full box.

cpamike · February 26, 2012 10:30PM

<< Congrats, Esquire! Did you buy the box from a CU board member? A 71 cello box will be even tougher to find than a 71 wax box...once you toss out all those fake grocery cellos, it's hard to find an single authentic pack let alone a full box. >>

Tim is right. I've seen some 1971 wax boxes over the years, but don't recall seeing a 1971 cello box in a long, long time. Good luck in your quest and congrats on picking up that 71 wax box!!!

TonyC · February 26, 2012 10:55PM

Looks like Hunt Auctions had 5 (yes, 5) 4th series wax boxes up in November 2008 (lots 873-877) Auction Results

Depending on condition, the boxes sold for $4,200 to $7,000.

Now, are these prices accurate today? Tough to say, many factors at work:

1. November 2008 was near the beginning of whatever you want to call the economic sinkhole, so the prices have the crisis built in. However, have they recovered at all? Maybe.
2. Hunt sold 5 boxes at once. Did that keep prices down at all?
3. Yours is BBCE sealed, which probably adds a premium.
4. Some might say wax collecting has grown more popular in the past few years. If this is true, the price may have gone up since 11/2008

BBCE · February 26, 2012 11:28PM

Hello!
I remember that Hunt auction well! I had a live phone line the night of the auction and got the call when those 1971 boxes came up (it was a live auction). I was out somewhere with my friends and could barely hear the person on the other end of the phone. The first box I won for something in the $8500.00 range with the buyers premium. I was ready and willing to pay that or more for all the boxes. For some strange reason, they kept going lower and lower after that first one! Maybe someone live on the floor got outbid on that first one and just figured he wasnt going to win any of them? Whomever it was, I owe him a big dinner! They also had a second auction 3 months later with another 5 or so boxes. I think in total, there were 10 boxes I bought from Hunt auctions all in the $4500-$8500 range per box. They were mostly 4th series and were as fresh as the day they were printed! And just so you know, most all of them got sold to one person, who probably opened them all. So if your holding one of the 2-3 boxes that made it out, there are not many more out there! I wish I could buy back all the boxes from this auction that I sold! In fact, I'm pretty sure I would buy back every unopened item I ever sold pre-1980! The market on this stuff has gotten stronger and stronger. It also appears that nobody is letting go, or it has really dried up. I cant seem to come across any of it lately. I guess I'm going to have to sharpen my pencil and beef up my buy prices. Unfortunately, that will result in higher sell prices. But if the demand is there then the market will be setting new prices.

Thanks! Steve Hart

cpamike · February 26, 2012 11:33PM

<< It also appears that nobody is letting go, or it has really dried up. >>

I'm in the not letting go camp Steve, but I'm running out of storage space and don't have a warehouse to put them all.

BTW, have you seen a 1971 BB cello box come up for sale in the recent past? I can't recall one at all.

BBCE · February 26, 2012 11:37PM

Mike,
I have not seen a 1971 Cello box since....well, since I can remember! I saw a 1970 football compete cello box back in the mid 2000's, but it sold in minutes and got opened also (so that one doesnt even exist anymore). I have owned a few 1972 Topps baseball series 1 cello boxes, but those are long gone and probably opened too!

I'll be running new buy prices in the coming months in SCD and in the web world. Maybe, just maybe I can pry some stuff loose. Thanks!

cpamike · February 26, 2012 11:48PM

Thanks for the response and good luck Steve. We're always watching.

I would just blame Reed. Just kidding.

gemint · February 27, 2012 2:23AM

I bought a '71 cello box in an auction about 7-8 years ago. There were only 5 packs left that were unopened. They came with all the empty cello pack individual boxes and the outer box that was pretty beat up. I think I paid $2000. One pack had Johnny Bench showing, another had Gaylord Perry and then there were three common packs. I opened one, kept one in my collection and sold the two star packs and the common pack.

gemint · February 27, 2012 2:24AM

Also I just picked up four '71 rack packs including one with Munson showing and one with the Blyleven RC on the back.

mikeschmidt · February 27, 2012 5:20AM

<< Also I just picked up four '71 rack packs including one with Munson showing and one with the Blyleven RC on the back. >>

Wow -- talk about the king of packs!

leathtech · February 27, 2012 5:44AM

<< Also I just picked up four '71 rack packs including one with Munson showing and one with the Blyleven RC on the back. >>

wow, what would this rack sell for today??? This is why PSA should start slabbing racks - Racks like this one should be locked down!

cpamike · February 27, 2012 5:46AM

<< 

<< Also I just picked up four '71 rack packs including one with Munson showing and one with the Blyleven RC on the back. >>

wow, what would this rack sell for today??? This is why PSA should start slabbing racks - Racks like this one should be locked down! >>

Finally, someone who makes sense. Everyone is tempted to rip these things. They need to be secured now!!!

70ToppsFanatic · February 27, 2012 5:53AM

<< 

<< Also I just picked up four '71 rack packs including one with Munson showing and one with the Blyleven RC on the back. >>

wow, what would this rack sell for today??? This is why PSA should start slabbing racks - Racks like this one should be locked down! >>

The price (in 2011) for this 1971 rack with Munson showing was $850.

corvette1340 · February 27, 2012 5:54AM

If I ever buy a '71 box or packs I can tell you with 100% certainty that those puppies will be ripped.

70ToppsFanatic · February 27, 2012 6:00AM

<< If I ever buy a '71 box or packs I can tell you with 100% certainty that those puppies will be ripped.

>>

Given how scarce '71 wax is, that would be a shame.

cpamike · February 27, 2012 6:14AM

<< 

<< If I ever buy a '71 box or packs I can tell you with 100% certainty that those puppies will be ripped.

>>

Given how scarce '71 wax is, that would be a shame. >>

We're talking about Tommy here.

MacrosB · February 27, 2012 6:30AM

I believe the 71 wax box I have is also 4 series but I got mine in the early 80's. I still regret selling the extra 71 FB wax box I had because that was also a tough box for me to find compared to other FB boxes. I also have no plans to open or sell it either.

Jim

gemint · February 27, 2012 6:45AM

<< 

The price (in 2011) for this 1971 rack with Munson showing was $850.

>>

I paid $750 for mine but the Munson is miscut. Given that fact, I probably paid right around market price for it. One upside is mine has the yellow header card which I think is more desireable and with less questions about it than the packs with the punched out Topps card as the header.

grote15 · February 27, 2012 6:50AM

I'm beginning to understand Tommy's perspective here, LOL..that said, 71 unopened racks are probably worth wore sealed than the sum of their parts. I only advocate ripping those packs that offer a real possibility at profit.

corvette1340 · February 27, 2012 6:54AM

ripping vintage packs is my "card" vice, so to speak. lol

packCollector · February 27, 2012 11:54AM

<< Hello!
I remember that Hunt auction well! I had a live phone line the night of the auction and got the call when those 1971 boxes came up (it was a live auction). I was out somewhere with my friends and could barely hear the person on the other end of the phone. The first box I won for something in the $8500.00 range with the buyers premium. I was ready and willing to pay that or more for all the boxes. For some strange reason, they kept going lower and lower after that first one! Maybe someone live on the floor got outbid on that first one and just figured he wasnt going to win any of them? Whomever it was, I owe him a big dinner! They also had a second auction 3 months later with another 5 or so boxes. I think in total, there were 10 boxes I bought from Hunt auctions all in the $4500-$8500 range per box. They were mostly 4th series and were as fresh as the day they were printed! And just so you know, most all of them got sold to one person, who probably opened them all. So if your holding one of the 2-3 boxes that made it out, there are not many more out there! I wish I could buy back all the boxes from this auction that I sold! In fact, I'm pretty sure I would buy back every unopened item I ever sold pre-1980! The market on this stuff has gotten stronger and stronger. It also appears that nobody is letting go, or it has really dried up. I cant seem to come across any of it lately. I guess I'm going to have to sharpen my pencil and beef up my buy prices. Unfortunately, that will result in higher sell prices. But if the demand is there then the market will be setting new prices.

Thanks! Steve Hart >>

Steve, can you buy me dinner? I was on the phone for the 1st auction in December and was underbidder on most. I was at the live auction for the second set bidding and was underbidder on most. I talked with Just Collect at the live auction after the bidding and he said those must have been Steve's bids on the phone and sure enough they were. The other item in that auction was the candy lid box , I wish I knew it was you on the phone because I think it was just the 2 of us bidding for the last 10 bids or so tripling the price.

They also had a group of lesser grade 71 packs that didn't sell which I inspected in person but passed because they appeared to have moisture damage. not sure what ever happened to those but after inspecting those packs in person, that was the main reason I was such a wimp on the nice boxes. I feared spending 5-6k on a box and having them be all water damaged which turned out not to be the case.

gemint · February 27, 2012 1:22PM

<< In fact, I'm pretty sure I would buy back every unopened item I ever sold pre-1980! The market on this stuff has gotten stronger and stronger. It also appears that nobody is letting go, or it has really dried up. I cant seem to come across any of it lately. I guess I'm going to have to sharpen my pencil and beef up my buy prices. Unfortunately, that will result in higher sell prices. But if the demand is there then the market will be setting new prices.

Thanks! Steve Hart >>

I agree that pre-1980 packs are drying up. You used to have quite a bit of 60s packs on your website and a selection of 50s unopened as well. Now the cupboards are almost bare. I wonder what the unopened premium threshold would have to be to discourage even the most die hard pack rippers from opening the stuff.

CNote · February 27, 2012 1:34PM

I'm not into the unopened stuff at all. I really do enjoy seeing all the scans you guys post, it's amazing some of the stuff you have held onto or have acquired. For me though, holding onto that stuff is like just letting a good wine sit too long. There comes a point where you have to open the wine. I know the cards will get better and better as far as money goes, but don't you just have to say "hell with it!" and open it?

flatfoot816 · February 27, 2012 9:31PM

There comes a point where you have to open the wine. I know the cards will get better and better as far as money goes, but don't you just have to say "hell with it!" and open it?

Nope ! Never Ever Ever rip vintage is my motto

Griffins · February 27, 2012 11:10PM

<< There comes a point where you have to open the wine. I know the cards will get better and better as far as money goes, but don't you just have to say "hell with it!" and open it?

Nope ! Never Ever Ever rip vintage is my motto >>

Is this a new policy Manny?

cpamike · February 27, 2012 11:17PM

<< 

<< There comes a point where you have to open the wine. I know the cards will get better and better as far as money goes, but don't you just have to say "hell with it!" and open it?

Nope ! Never Ever Ever rip vintage is my motto >>

Is this a new policy Manny?

>>

I was thinking the same thing Anthony.

Griffins · February 28, 2012 12:50AM

tried to find the link of Manny's video but couldn't, anyone got it to post? that was pretty fun.

flatfoot816 · February 28, 2012 1:45AM

crap.....you guys remember huh?

No new policy...just a reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed nightly. Amazing what being whacked and having cards near ya does...........I mean could ya hear me slurring my words when I ripped those packs??????????

Whenever I get the urge to rip vintage again I remember the mathmatical equation below which is taped to my mancave wall.....Tim PAY ATTENTION !!!!

+

=

Griffins · February 28, 2012 4:58AM

Friends don't let friends drink blended whiskey.

grote15 · February 28, 2012 6:55AM

That's a 1980 box, 1975 mini wax is different..

esquiresports · March 4, 2012 10:48AM

Thanks everyone. Always neat to read the stories you guys post. Wow - 10 1971 Topps wax boxes. Well, mine is 4th series, so maybe it's from one of those auctions. I have to admit to paying a pretty decent premium over those 2008 prices. But, as Steve notes, you just don't see them very often. The 2008 auctions may have a been a "one off."

Attached are some photos of the box. I can take one of the bottom with the BBCE notation that it's 4th Series. It didn't come from anyone on these boards as far as I know. Individual seller in the Southern California area.

Looking forward to baseball season!

Scott

1neatstuff · March 4, 2012 11:13AM

nice very nice box

brianwintersfan · March 4, 2012 11:27AM

Very nice '71 box there!

grote15 · March 4, 2012 12:07PM

Group rip!

coinspacks · June 28, 2021 9:51AM

Seems that heritage will be auctioning a series 1 wax box in a month or so.

They value it at $100k

olb31 · June 28, 2021 11:25AM

You better hope you get a lot of 10's. Common 7's are almost unsaleable.

2dueces · June 28, 2021 1:09PM

@RonBurgundy said:
Live rip?

Sure, I'll sell to the boards so they can rip. $995 per pack & I'm not kidding.

$1000 a pack seems like a bargain now.

esquiresports · June 28, 2021 2:32PM

I miss that box.

1971 Topps Wax Box - Seen One Lately?

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