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Wax Pack Storage

Howdy folks,

I was looking for suggestions and examples of how people store/display their unopened (and ungraded) wax packs. I am starting to accumulate quite a few and currently they sit in a closed box, any ideas?

thanks

Comments

  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Howdy folks,

    I was looking for suggestions and examples of how people store/display their unopened (and ungraded) wax packs. I am starting to accumulate quite a few and currently they sit in a closed box, any ideas?

    thanks >>



    My preferred way to store wax packs is with a top loader as a backer inside a team bag as shown below. I have several plastic tubs that I then store the packs in standing up (no pic available).

    image
  • My preferred way to store wax packs is with a top loader as a backer inside a team back as shown below. I have several plastic tubs that I then store the packs in standing up (no pic available).

    I do the exact same thing with the packs but store them in a four row card box. I also use two row.
    Miconelegacy Auctions
    "Live everyday, don't throw it away"
  • jgrigalijgrigali Posts: 364 ✭✭
    What size sleeves do you put the toploaders in?
  • It's not a sleeve, it's Team Bags. Clear and larger than a normal card sleeve. They also fold over. Fits really well and holds the pack in place.

    There like $2-$3 for a 100 ct.
    Miconelegacy Auctions
    "Live everyday, don't throw it away"
  • JuggsJuggs Posts: 495
    What do you guys do about cello and racks?
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    I once stored my wax packs in top loaders too, but I've moved away from them because they're not acid-free. Now I just sandwich the packs between 2 Card Savers and place the sandwich in a slab bag. Works great.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭


    << <i>What do you guys do about cello and racks? >>



    Same thing I do with wax...Card Saver sandwich in a slab bag.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • Cello's same thing.

    For Racks I would suggest a little homeade project.

    Cut some cardboard, lay the rack on there. Make sure there are at least a couple inches extra on all four sides. Now if you just want to store them safely wrap in bubble wrap. For display I know you can get clear bags similar to the team bags, but harder to find.

    Maybe someone can chime in here.

    I just wrap my racks gently in bubble wrap and store away. Making sure the header card is flat.

    You should post a few of your packs!

    Mike
    Miconelegacy Auctions
    "Live everyday, don't throw it away"
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I once stored my wax packs in top loaders too, but I've moved away from them because they're not acid-free. Now I just sandwich the packs between 2 Card Savers and place the sandwich in a slab bag. Works great. >>



    Card savers are acid free?

    It's easy to find archival quality comic book supplies, but they seem to be much less prevalent for cards. I was bothered by that for awhile, but I have enough things I'm totally anal about, I decided to let it go image
  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Howdy folks,

    I was looking for suggestions and examples of how people store/display their unopened (and ungraded) wax packs. I am starting to accumulate quite a few and currently they sit in a closed box, any ideas?

    thanks >>



    Griffins ( Anthony)....come show us how it's done.
    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The plastic boxes I use to store my wax packs are manufactured by a company called Plano, which specializes in fishing tackle boxes. The model below is really great for wax packs. It comes with dividers and is just the right size. I absolutely love these!

    image
  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
    I say how you store depends on if it is for display or just for storage. I do not display any stuff presently. Most of my wax is slabbed. I would suggest 1st to get any packs $25 or over slabbed. That is the ultimate protection of course. Once slabbed I put 2-3 together and wrap in bubble wrap. Most are in safe depo boxes that way. I do not own much raw wax so will leave to others to chime in

    As for racks any that are over $100 I have had slabbed long ago. Slabbed racks tough to display. Raw racks...I place in Plastic tubs with bubble wrap. Not exactly a science. It it has worked
  • fattymacsfattymacs Posts: 2,579 ✭✭✭
    I machined a center piece that fit between an old screw down holder.

    image
  • GriffinsGriffins Posts: 6,076 ✭✭✭
    Manny, I'll respectfully disagree- slabbing isn't an option to protect packs, just to authenticate them. There has been enough evidence to show that PSA's current holder can damage the pack, and GAI isn't an option anymore.
    The most important thing is to protect the pack- stop it from moving, so the gum doesn't create tears from the inside out. And prevent the wax seal from popping.
    Move them as little as possible. Have light pressure on the face and back to prevent movement of gum, and then put them in a secure place. Whether it is a safe, SD box, or display, the less you handle them the safer they are.

    Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's

  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
    Anthony. You are absolutely correct. My bad. Thanks for the correction
  • bigdcardsbigdcards Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Manny, I'll respectfully disagree- slabbing isn't an option to protect packs, just to authenticate them. There has been enough evidence to show that PSA's current holder can damage the pack, and GAI isn't an option anymore.
    The most important thing is to protect the pack- stop it from moving, so the gum doesn't create tears from the inside out. And prevent the wax seal from popping.
    Move them as little as possible. Have light pressure on the face and back to prevent movement of gum, and then put them in a secure place. Whether it is a safe, SD box, or display, the less you handle them the safer they are. >>



    why isn't GAI an option anymore? I figured people thought they never were or still are. Did something change?
    To bigdcards: "you are right" - cpamike "That is correct" -grote15


  • << <i>Manny, I'll respectfully disagree- slabbing isn't an option to protect packs, just to authenticate them. There has been enough evidence to show that PSA's current holder can damage the pack, and GAI isn't an option anymore.
    The most important thing is to protect the pack- stop it from moving, so the gum doesn't create tears from the inside out. And prevent the wax seal from popping.
    Move them as little as possible. Have light pressure on the face and back to prevent movement of gum, and then put them in a secure place. Whether it is a safe, SD box, or display, the less you handle them the safer they are. >>



    I recently sent in my prized possession of a 76 Topps Football Cello w/ Payton on top just to have it "protected" so I could display it. Do you feel the same way about cellos in PSA holders as you do about wax? And what about wax w/o gum? Seems like the gum is the issue. I would also like to know what happened to GAI and why they are a non-option now.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The problem with the gum tearing the wrapper is an issue only with wax packs in which the gum is loose inside the pack as the movement of the petrified gum can easily slice through thew wrapper during transfer if the pack is not packaged securely enough. Cellos do not pose that risk because the gum is already immobilized in the middle of the pack between the cards. There is also no problem with gum causing wrapper tears if the gum is not loose inside the pack. I have found that the best way top ship PSA graded wax packs is to immobilize the pack as much as possible and to ship securely in a priority mail box. to limit movement as much as possible.

    Despite their reputation, which has been shaky at times, and rightfully so, the vast majority of GAI graded packs are authentic and unopened. I have been collecting GAI graded packs since their inception when Wright was doing the grading, and as an unopened collector who also rips packs in search of pack fresh singles for my registry sets, I can tell you with certainty that out of nearly 200 packs that I have personally opened, only a handful were suspect or in my opinion resealed. Of course, stay away from any "grocery" cellos from the mid to late 70s (Topps never produced them) and there are a number of homemade 1977 wax packs that made their way into holders after the wrappers were cut from a roll of 77 wrappers. And of course there's the bad 58 baseball cellos, but as with any unopened purchase, it pays to do your homework and to know who you are buying from, and with experience, to learn what to look for. In general, the earlier graded packs with the old silver flip as regarded among collectors as being more reliable, and I would agree with that perception based on my experience collecting unopened and in ripping holdered packs to see firsthand if the cards exhibit the traits that you look for in a truly unopened pack of cards. That method is especially helpful if you have a run of packs from the same year with consecutive serial numbers, as opening a pack or two will confirm if the packs are genuine or not if you have any doubts. I know that most unopened collectors are resistant to the idea of opening packs, but I have found it to be highly informative (not to mention fun and exciting!), even if you usually don't recoup the cost of the pack itself.



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i> I have found that the best way top ship PSA graded wax packs is to immobilize the pack as much as possible and to ship securely in a priority mail box. to limit movement as much as possible.

    >>



    Thanks for the detailed comments, Tim. I have zero experience with shipping PSA graded wax packs, but there's a similar issue with shipping CGC graded comic books, which can also move within the slab causing corner and edge damage.

    While it's counter-intuitive, immobilizing the slab may not be the best approach. The problem is, if the slab can't move but the gum can, then the movement of the gum relative to the rest of the pack will be maximized. A different approach might be to use a larger box with lots of packing popcorn surrounding the slab. This way, if the box is jarred, the slab is able to move somewhat within the popcorn, and the relative movement of the gum is lessened.

    Again, I don't know if this would really help with wax packs, but it does seem effective with slabbed comics. Just food for thought. It's unfortunate that no amount of care in packaging can really address this issue.
  • Recently I was looking for a way to store my wax packs. My goal is to have one wax pack from each year since birth and then hopefully have something to show my future children how baseball cards were sold. Anyhow, I found a product that works very well and is relatively inexpensive. Note: The size I used for regular wax is the 25 ct box, but I'm sure a 50 ct box will hold cello packs. Also, for those who have baseball packs, the 1983 Topps Michigan test wrapper does not fit in these boxes (I use a resealable team bag for that pack).

    image

    image

    image

    image

    Hope this helps some of you out.

    Jonathan

  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,105 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Recently I was looking for a way to store my wax packs. My goal is to have one wax pack from each year since birth and then hopefully have something to show my future children how baseball cards were sold. Anyhow, I found a product that works very well and is relatively inexpensive. Note: The size I used for regular wax is the 25 ct box, but I'm sure a 50 ct box will hold cello packs. Also, for those who have baseball packs, the 1983 Topps Michigan test wrapper does not fit in these boxes (I use a resealable team bag for that pack).


    Hope this helps some of you out.

    Jonathan >>



    Yep, I've used those for years. The key is to make sure they are the boxes that don't have a flange around the bottom half of the holder. Those are tighter and can damage the wrapper/cards. The ones without the flange are slightly wider where regular sized wax packs fit perfectly in them. This is how Perfect Card Company sold their packs in the early 90s and I kept those boxes even though I got most of my packs slabbed.


  • << <i>Recently I was looking for a way to store my wax packs. My goal is to have one wax pack from each year since birth and then hopefully have something to show my future children how baseball cards were sold. Anyhow, I found a product that works very well and is relatively inexpensive. Note: The size I used for regular wax is the 25 ct box, but I'm sure a 50 ct box will hold cello packs. Also, for those who have baseball packs, the 1983 Topps Michigan test wrapper does not fit in these boxes (I use a resealable team bag for that pack).

    Hope this helps some of you out.

    Jonathan >>



    That looks perfect! I have the same goal (one pack since birth) and just started. These would work perfectly. Thanks for sharing!
    Collecting Topps Baseball: 1966-present base sets
    Topps/OPC Hockey 1966-Present base sets
  • Thanks for the info, gemint. I'm not 100% sure what you mean by the inside flange. If I post up a photo of an empty box, would you mind checking it out for me?

    BostonAmericans, stoked to hear there is someone else on here doing the same thing (a pack from each year).

    I first came across this forum (via this thread) last summer, bookmarked the link and sorta forgot about it until recently.
  • handymanhandyman Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Any other ideas how to store rack packs? What are the cases BBCexchange uses when he seals the racks? Are those ultra pro or what?
    Thanks
    or are those custom cases or something?

  • handymanhandyman Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭

    http://www.bcwsupplies.com/type/toploader/other/8-5x14-topload-holder

    Has anyone used these or have these? If so how did it work. Or do yall think these would hold Racks well and safely?

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,703 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @handyman said:
    http://www.bcwsupplies.com/type/toploader/other/8-5x14-topload-holder

    Has anyone used these or have these? If so how did it work. Or do yall think these would hold Racks well and safely?

    Those may work but they are about 3 inches taller than the BBCE holder and at over $26 each for a lot of 5 way too expensive.



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • handymanhandyman Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is the BBce holder only available through him? Does he make them or where can I find something like that?

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2016 8:12PM

    @handyman said:
    Is the BBce holder only available through him? Does he make them or where can I find something like that?

    I have not been able to find that particular holder on the secondary market. There was a guy on ebay, thehockeynut, I believe, who used to sell them in bundles of 25 for about $100, but I believe he sold the patent. I remember our own echocanyon of CU was also developing a rack pack holder prototype but I don't know what became of it.



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • ugaskidawgugaskidawg Posts: 882 ✭✭✭

    I've talked with Steve about it in the past. He comissioned ultra pro to make the rack holders specifically for BBCE. He will sell you them for $5/holder. If you buy more than just a few, I'd guess he'd negotiate with you a little. He's such a good guy and always seems to make things right.

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2016 8:55PM

    @ugaskidawg said:
    I've talked with Steve about it in the past. He comissioned ultra pro to make the rack holders specifically for BBCE. He will sell you them for $5/holder. If you buy more than just a few, I'd guess he'd negotiate with you a little. He's such a good guy and always seems to make things right.

    Yes, I've purchased them from Steve in the past, too. But these holders in the same size and design were also available at one point on ebay, too, from thehockeynut. He stopped selling them a few years back, but I'm not sure what the particulars were, though I do recall it had something to do with him selling the patent.

    ETA; Found CU thread with link to the hockeynut auction.

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/921891/custom-holder-or-display-for-rack-packs/p1

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/331227572395?



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2016 8:54PM

    $5/holder is pretty fair. I'm pretty sure that's what the seller Tim was talking about used to sell them for on eBay, only with that seller it was a pack of 20 for $100. I have bought the holders from Steve and when I did I bought 10 for $50 IIRC.

    Steve
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 17, 2016 8:58PM

    @slum22 said:
    $5/holder is pretty fair. I'm pretty sure that's what the seller Tim was talking about used to sell them for on eBay, only with that seller it was a pack of 20 for $100. I have bought the holders from Steve and when I did I bought 10 for $50 IIRC.

    Yes, I found thehockeynut's old ebay listing for them~they were $100 for 25, but $26 for shipping (from Canada).

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/331227572395?



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • Dand522612Dand522612 Posts: 417 ✭✭✭

    I bought 10 from Steve about a year ago as well. Very pleased

  • CWUCAT62CWUCAT62 Posts: 92 ✭✭✭

    I love seeing how people display and store their collections. I also appreciate the information about this on the boards because it gives me ideas for what I need and can do for my collection. As nice as it is to get new items to add to our collections, we have to have proper supplies to store and display our items. I find myself stocking up on supplies, even if I don't need some, to be prepared for that next purchase. Just my two cents. Happy Collecting!

    Andre Dawson Super Collector, who also collects the following-
    *Baseball* HOF autographs, Harold Baines, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan & Seattle Mariners
    *Football* Seattle Seahawks, Kenny Easley, Steve Largent, Jon Kitna, & Brian Bosworth
    YouTube Channel link; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAyO141lGqcV2fEjt723jUQ
  • @ugaskidawg said:
    I've talked with Steve about it in the past. He comissioned ultra pro to make the rack holders specifically for BBCE. He will sell you them for $5/holder. If you buy more than just a few, I'd guess he'd negotiate with you a little. He's such a good guy and always seems to make things right.

    Hockeynut had the holders made by ultra pro.Was talking to him last week and he is going to try and get some more
    made.

    Gordie
  • coinspackscoinspacks Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭✭

    anyone use wooden cigar boxes for storage of anything? other than cigars

  • seebelowseebelow Posts: 1,643 ✭✭✭
    edited September 30, 2017 7:41AM

    all my gold bullion, under the second grayish rock out back 5 feet west of the bird feeder...just kidding...Id imagine just odds and ends...how much room do you have in those boxes? or why do u ask? Im asking you because i feel your answer may be an interesting one.

    Interested in higher grade vintage cards. Aren't we all. image
  • coinspackscoinspacks Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭✭

    Only reason I ask is because someone offered to sell me some @ $5 each and I have no idea what I'd put in them.

  • Atlas Grading Service!

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