First year of the unopened complete sets?

Baez578

I'm curious... does anyone know when Topps, Donruss, and Fleer baseball began offering unopened sets?

grote15

For Topps, I'm pretty certain it was 1974.

ldferg

Donruss was 82 from the factory.

CubsKiller99

Fleer was 1981.

esquiresports

Topps made a factory set in 1974, as mentioned. The next factory set, however, was not until 1982. Those were sold through JC Penny. There were a few plain-brown box sets in 1983 and/or 1984. A three-color boxed set was offered in very limited quantities in 1985, and full color boxes beginning in 1986. I can confirm Donruss factory sets began in 1982. I believe Fleer only offered "vending" boxes from 1981-1985. If you took four vending boxes, I believe you could make three sets. Something like that. Actual factory sets from Fleer began in 1986, I believe (aside from the 1984 Fleer Update set).

ChiefsFan1st

With fleer, did they actually come sealed? I have a 1987 set that aint sealed but doesnt look
like its been out of the box but I dont know

edited: mine aint sealed

CubsKiller99

My 1981 was sealed in cellophane; I saw 1989,1990 recently that weren't
in cello but had a white factory seal affixed with "Fleer" printed on it.

I'm not sure how easy it is to crack that without detection.

mygotta

Fleer 87 had the Glossy Tin sets. I dont recall standard factory sets. Dont know from 86. But I do know that, yet, 1981 they made Vending sets, where you buy them numbered; 1-4, and from them you can just about guarantee 3 sets. They came with instructions as well.

mcadams

<< <i> Those were sold through JC Penny. There were a few plain-brown box sets in 1983 and/or 1984. >>



JCPenney offered the plain brown box in 1984. I still have mine :>

esquiresports

<< <i>With fleer, did they actually come sealed? I have a 1987 set that aint sealed but doesnt look
like its been out of the box but I dont know

edited: mine aint sealed >>



I'll have to see if I can dig up my 1987 Fleer set. I recall them having a tape seal at the center of the set where the flap sits. A single white piece of tape. Glossy sets were wrapped in Fleer cello. 1988- full color set boxes were also wrapped. 1986-1989 Fleer basic sets were not cello wrapped from the factory.

ChiefsFan1st

<< <i>

<< <i>With fleer, did they actually come sealed? I have a 1987 set that aint sealed but doesnt look
like its been out of the box but I dont know

edited: mine aint sealed >>



I'll have to see if I can dig up my 1987 Fleer set. I recall them having a tape seal at the center of the set where the flap sits. A single white piece of tape. Glossy sets were wrapped in Fleer cello. 1988- full color set boxes were also wrapped. 1986-1989 Fleer basic sets were not cello wrapped from the factory. >>



I just went and looked. I dont think my set ever had a sticker sealing the box. (Crappy cell phone pic)