Attention unopened pack collectors - please don't outbid me for this "holy grail."

esquiresports

Just kidding. But take a look. A 1952 Topps high number wax pack. Wow.

Heritage Auction - 1952 Topps Wax Pack

I think this pack could bring $30-40K, or 3-5 times what a low series pack would likely bring. Any other guesses?

Note: I am in the minority and am generally against "outing" auctions on this board, but this is an example that is going to get a ton of coverage, so hopefully everyone is cool with it.

Jakt

I think $30-40K would be on the very high side of what this auction could reach.

Is there a general rule of thumb regarding unopened wax packs in terms of cost of the pack vs. the potential card that can be in the pack? I know that 86 Fleer wax runs about $45-500, and a PSA 9 Jordan goes for around ~$1500. Does the same type of principle hold true for a pack like this?

esquiresports

For something like this pack, I think it has more to do with iconic status and extreme scarcity than what you might expect to pull from the pack. That said, there is a shot at a Mantle that could be worth six figures. Can't imagine someone opening it.

Griffins

I'd be shocked if it topped $15k

MattyC

Why not cross to PSA before putting it on the block?

cpamike

I was thinking a little over $10k Anthony, but you never know.

Matty, that pack is in the old GAI flip and I would be confident as one could be bidding on that pack. I don't think crossing it over to PSA would add too much more value to me anyway.

handyman

I wouldnt trust the series just because GAI said it was a 6th. I have bought several packs and opened them by GAI saying there were X series only to find out they were the cheaper series. I dont have a good feeling about this pack.

esquiresports

Maybe my estimate is high. Prices have actually dropped for the 1952 packs over the last several years. Maybe $10-15 is more reasonable. If it drops more than that, you might make me cash advance a credit card!

I am wondering how they know the series. Perhaps they were able to identify the back card, but looking at the super high-resolution photo, I can't see anything.

handyman

I sent in several packs back when gai frist started. The first year. They pretty much just took my word from me as to what series I thought the packs were from. I thought that was odd and could lead to problems down the line. And we all know what happend to them. I also bet that might be a reason why this hasnt been crossed. Not saying it isnt a legit unopened pack. But I have a feeling PSA might not agree with giving it a series without seeing a card on the back. So the case would lose the high value series factor.

grote15

<< <i>I was thinking a little over $10k Anthony, but you never know.

Matty, that pack is in the old GAI flip and I would be confident as one could be bidding on that pack. I don't think crossing it over to PSA would add too much more value to me anyway. >>



+1 re the flip in terms of authenticity, but I would like to see more provenance regarding the series, too, before adding such a premium.

Will be interesting to see where it winds up as there aren't any recent sales to compare it against. I'm thinking 10K minimum, and quite possibly close to 20K, not because of its true value but based on its real scarcity. I can envision a couple of bidders going strong after this one...hint hint Anthony, LOL..

mlbfan2

This is from a 2010 article:
Is there another 1952 Mantle residing in the high-grade pack that Memory Lane is offering? That's part of the mystery. The dark-colored wax wrapper makes it impossible to know who is inside or even what series the pack is from. It's believed that six cards are inside.

Remarkable as it may seem, collectors and investors will be bidding on a virtually pristine 58-year-old pack of baseball cards. You could consider it the ultimate lottery ticket. "This is the highest known graded 1952 Topps pack (PSA 8)," Cohen said. "We've put the pre-sale estimate at between $20 and 30,000." Not bad for something that once cost a nickel. In Memory Lane's December 2009 auction, an unopened 1952 Topps 5-cent wax pack of lesser quality sold for a hobby record price of $15,406.
link

ObiJuan

Assuming ink would show up on an MRI. . . .

How about putting it through an MRI and look at the ink patterns on each card, or the text on the back of each card?

handyman

Last time I got a mri it cost me 1800.00
But there might be a sick person that could use that hour better. But then again we are talking about a 5k difference in value.
I vote MRI. Also if u see 2 M's dont be worried that is a good thing

onlyanumber

<< <i>Why not cross to PSA before putting it on the block? >>



This.

And I'm a big fan of old GAI slabs. Even if I had the money, I wouldn't go near that pack in that slab.

That pack in a PSA slab increases bidders/watchers/price exponentially.

vladguerrero

I was reading through an old SCD a little while ago and I believe it was Mastro, The Cardboard Kid, and someone else who ripped '52 Topps packs. No stars, no blazers, I think they put value at a generous $1500 worth of cards.

ClockworkAngel

But it's GAI...how much can we trust that?

grote15

<< <i>But it's GAI...how much can we trust that? >>



GAI packs were all Steve sold before PSA started grading them. I have opened literally a couple hundred GAI packs over the years and have never had any issues. Of course, it pays to do your homework and know who you're buying from but GAI packs in first generation holders are generally speaking very reliable. Their customer service otoh is another story.

cpamike

<< <i>But it's GAI...how much can we trust that? >>



I've cracked out numerous packs and haven't had any issues getting them graded by PSA. But I try to stick to the older flips (ones that start with an 100 or 101) and get good scans of the backs.

Dboneesq

Very interesting offering, but how can they state "we offer this confirmed Sixth-Series Five Cent unopened wax pack from the late spring/fall of 1952!" Just because it states it on the GAI slab? Not so sure GAI was able to tell when they slabbed it. As others have said, I'd be afraid to bid as though it were a HI Series.

Also, one of the corners has quite a bit of wear on it and it looks like the cards probably have corner damage. I think the value in this pack is keeping it unopened. HOWEVER, like I said before, I'd want more proof as to the Series.

Griffins

We have a board member that is an MRI tech. I asked him if he could scan a pack and see anything, and he just laughed. No way.

I also have doubts about the series of the pack. I've stared at mine a lot under a variety of lighting conditions and can't see anything that would indicate which card is included.
I'd put '52 Topps at the 3rd scarcest regular issue Topps pack, and think even $15k is very high.

Why not cross it to PSA? And risk having it shredded by the new holder?

ReggieCleveland

<< <i>I'd put '52 Topps at the 3rd scarcest regular issue Topps pack, and think even $15k is very high. >>



Well that begs the question .... which pack would be #2 (assuming that '56 is #1)?

Also, is it possible that this was slabbed from a find, say, a box of high number packs or something? Were the high number boxes any different?

Griffins

<< <i>

<< <i>I'd put '52 Topps at the 3rd scarcest regular issue Topps pack, and think even $15k is very high. >>



Well that begs the question .... which pack would be #2 (assuming that '56 is #1)?

Also, is it possible that this was slabbed from a find, say, a box of high number packs or something? Were the high number boxes any different? >>



'56 is the toughest, followed by '58. '59 may be tougher than '52 even.
And no, the last find of '52 packs (and possibly the only find) was 20 years ago and was the first series, not the last.

expertcollector

wasnt there a whole wax box of 24 packs of 52 topps high series auctioned off by one of the major auction houses a few years back? I think i remember it selling for over 250k

TheCARDKid

I know people take heat on these boards when they talk about "investing" in cards (or wax), but does anyone remember when 52 Topps low number packs seemed plentiful? They were $1,500-2,000 for many years in the early 90's. From 1990 to 1996 or 97.

I remember Mark Murphys ads in SCD. He pictured all these packs (many you can't find anymore). The 52 Topps low numbers would be in the upper left hand corner or something.

-I think 52 packs have gone up, partly because of the Mantle mystic. The '52 Topps PSA 10 Mantle has gone up an amazing amount in the last 15 or 20 years. From $75 k or $125 k to probably over a million dollars now.

I think Mastro auctioned off a '52 Topps high number box years ago, maybe 2004. I wondered what happened to it.

flatfoot816

agree with most comments here on not being able to effectively judge the series.

do think it was Mastro that sold the box of allegedly high number packs. Think that was part of a Canadian find of packs printed there, not the USA as they contained 4 cards--if I am correct. But also recall a problem with that sale and think that the box was put back up several months later for auction and sold for much less due to questions. Does anyone remember?

and most AH seem to be having Steve authenticate their unopened items before auctioning them. No such statement here...so maybe Steve said it's a legit pack--but can't guarantee the series. Still with no BBCE letter of OK on the series or the pack.....