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1974 OPC Baseball Wax Pack Rip Tonight

grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I opened a few 1974 OPC baseball wax packs a few weeks back, and really like the card stock and design of this issue, more so than the Topps version. 1974 OPC packs were produced only in wax pack form and are very difficult to find due to a production strike at the OPC factory that year. Despite that, I am going to attempt to put together this set in PSA 8 or better grade, with as many pack fresh cards as I can pull and submit to PSA for grading. I have a few there now, and will post the grades when I get them back. I have a raw 1974 OPC pack and am going to rip it tonight in hopes of finding that elusive OPC Dave Winfield RC!! (After some investigation, using the RBI stats on the back of the card on back of the pack, it appears that Lee May is the card on back of the pack~there's only been a total of 3 74 OPC Lee May cards ever graded~a 6, a 7 and an 8.)

image

image


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.
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Comments

  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭
    Wow, that's awesome. So hard to find those packs. Did you get that from me a while back? I know I sold to a couple people on the forum....

    Good Luck...anything decent in that pack PM me
    The Clockwork Angel Collection...brought to you by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase
    TheClockworkAngelCollection
  • miwlvrnmiwlvrn Posts: 4,266 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Awesome, those 1974's are tough; good luck!

    I've got a 1974 OPC Winfield that looked fantastic on the internet listing but came to find out when I had it in hand that there is a very noticeable surface crease. Anyone think it is still worth grading even though it would probably do no better than a 4, just because of the card it is? So far it has remained raw and I hadn't planned to sub it.



  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow, that's awesome. So hard to find those packs. Did you get that from me a while back? I know I sold to a couple people on the forum....

    Good Luck...anything decent in that pack PM me >>



    Thanks, Todd. The pack I bought from you I opened a while back. As I recall, there were a couple nice cards in that pack which I sent in to PSA, including a nice Tony Oliva card.


    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.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    Wooo Hooo


    Cant wait for the rip!
    opcbaseball.com
  • Big80sBig80s Posts: 2,758 ✭✭✭
    Oh Canadian Sweetness!
    Let's Rip It: PackGeek.com
    Jeff
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet, eh?

    I love the colors in the OPC version over big brother Topps. '74 and '75 seemed to be the two most significantly different from the front with regard to saturation. Nothing much better from that era than a well centered and nicely cut OPC card!

    Cheers to some stellar examples being released.
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    GET THAT WINNY!!!!
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭
    1974 is by far the rarest OPC of the 70's. I believe it was someone on this forum that said there were issues at the production facility of OPC that year (a work stoppage?) that forced them to cut production significantly. OPC is already ridiculously rare compared to the Topps but that year is gold.

    The Clockwork Angel Collection...brought to you by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase
    TheClockworkAngelCollection
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rip me one of these Tim.

    image

    Good luck! image
    Mike
  • bigdcardsbigdcards Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭
    I'm just cheering that the gum stops it's evil anti-cardboard rampage after 1 card.
    To bigdcards: "you are right" - cpamike "That is correct" -grote15
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm just cheering that the gum stops it's evil anti-cardboard rampage after 1 card. >>



    The good thing about 74 OPC is that the gum is far less sugary than the gum used in 72 and 73 OPC packs, and the top card under the gum is the team checklist card which takes one for the team.


    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.
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    I am really looking forward to this rip, Tim!

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭
    Don't eat the gomme balloune!
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    Pull a nice Rose, Bench, Reggie or Schmidt!
    opcbaseball.com
  • esquiresportsesquiresports Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭
    Good luck with the rip! Todd and I were talking recently about how rarely you see these packs. I believe they are more rare than even the 1971s, based solely on what I have seen available for sale and graded pack data.

    Once you have that set together, it's going to be a definite keeper!
    Always buying 1971 OPC Baseball packs.
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Oh Ya. Looking forward to the rip. Good Luck.
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • Bosox1976Bosox1976 Posts: 8,557 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Get out the Molson Bradors!

    Good luck Tim.
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    Can I call dibs if you pull a nice #623 Celerino Sánchez?

    Also looking for a nice Sánchez from '73 OPC, as well... For some reason, I always liked good old #10 although his stint in American baseball was somewhat abbreviated... In fact, I was at the game in May of '73 when he pinch hit for Rob Blomberg and hit his only Major League HR against the Orioles' Mickey Scott. Sadly, he passed away less than 20 years later.
  • SmokieSmokie Posts: 393 ✭✭✭
    Just looking at the registry with 5 guys that are putting this set together and only 1 has it above 81%, I think you picked a tough set to put together. I wish you LUCK on your RIP and completing this set.
  • tennesseebankertennesseebanker Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭
    If my French is correct, I believe the front of that pack says "Rip it Open"!
    image

  • cpamikecpamike Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    Are you waiting for the pack rips itself? image
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

    Collecting:
    Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Are you waiting for the pack rips itself? image >>



    You Eastern standard time guys have no consideration for our West Coast members..


    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.
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    West Coast isn't freezing their collective backsides off like those of us on the East Coast!!!
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Can I call dibs if you pull a nice #623 Celerino Sánchez?

    Also looking for a nice Sánchez from '73 OPC, as well... For some reason, I always liked good old #10 although his stint in American baseball was somewhat abbreviated... In fact, I was at the game in May of '73 when he pinch hit for Rob Blomberg and hit his only Major League HR against the Orioles' Mickey Scott. Sadly, he passed away less than 20 years later. >>



    You got it, Scott, as long as it doesn't grade PSA 9 or better for my fledgling registry set. image



    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.
  • bigdcardsbigdcards Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Are you waiting for the pack rips itself? image >>



    You Eastern standard time guys have no consideration for our West Coast members.. >>



    Much appreciated
    To bigdcards: "you are right" - cpamike "That is correct" -grote15
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, that pack reminded me why there are very few high grade 1974 OPC cards in the pop report, LOL...

    Just one card worth saving from the pack, centering wise, which was a pretty nice Aparicio. The Twins team checklist was also in nice condition as the gum had not fused to the card.

    image


    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.
  • cpamikecpamike Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Are you waiting for the pack rips itself? image >>



    You Eastern standard time guys have no consideration for our West Coast members.. >>



    Hey, some guys have to work tomorrow. The west coast guys should be in for the.night.
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

    Collecting:
    Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    Nice Aparicio! Shot at a 9?
    opcbaseball.com
  • cpamikecpamike Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    That was anticlimactic. The Aparicio looks sharp. I bet the checklists are hard to get in a nice grade too and yours is centered well.
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

    Collecting:
    Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice Aparicio! Shot at a 9? >>



    Hopefully! I wish it were centered a smidge lower, but it is a really clean card--perfect registration and color.


    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.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Are you waiting for the pack rips itself? image >>



    You Eastern standard time guys have no consideration for our West Coast members.. >>



    Hey, some guys have to work tomorrow. The west coast guys should be in for the.night. >>



    You must have gotten lost. This is a rip thread...the pics of the unopened packs are in a different thread.


    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.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That was anticlimactic. The Aparicio looks sharp. I bet the checklists are hard to get in a nice grade too and yours is centered well. >>



    Hey, there are only 8 cards in a pack. What did you expect, a thread as long as the 81 vending box thread??

    Now that I mention it, you just gave me an idea...image


    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.
  • Big80sBig80s Posts: 2,758 ✭✭✭
    Where's the OC Winfield rookie?
    Let's Rip It: PackGeek.com
    Jeff
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Where's the OC Winfield rookie? >>



    Still out there! I'm staring at my GAI 8 and GAI 8.5 74 OPC packs and wondering that same thing! Good thing they are in plastic! image

    Tom, this was 2nd best card...too OC T/B for a straight 8?

    image


    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.
  • gosteelersgosteelers Posts: 2,668 ✭✭✭
    What is considered to be the toughest year in the '70s for OPC?
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Where's the OC Winfield rookie? >>



    Still out there! I'm staring at my GAI 8 and GAI 8.5 74 OPC packs and wondering that same thing! Good thing they are in plastic! image

    Tom, this was 2nd best card...too OC T/B for a straight 8?

    image >>



    Probably a 7 or 9oc Wouldn't bother sending it
    opcbaseball.com
  • Big80sBig80s Posts: 2,758 ✭✭✭
    As always - I appreciate you sharing your rip with us, Tim! You have great taste in product.
    Let's Rip It: PackGeek.com
    Jeff
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭
    Typical OPC pack...these cards are so undervalued

    That Aparicio looks off T/B and tilted. I think it's an 8
    The Clockwork Angel Collection...brought to you by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase
    TheClockworkAngelCollection
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Typical OPC pack...these cards are so undervalued

    That Aparicio looks off T/B and tilted. I think it's an 8 >>



    I agree. After looking at the pic again, should 8 if no other problems
    opcbaseball.com
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What is considered to be the toughest year in the '70s for OPC? >>



    1974 by far.

    As far as availibility of packs go, I would also say 1974, followed by 1970.


    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.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>What is considered to be the toughest year in the '70s for OPC? >>



    1974 by far. >>



    Easily the most difficult
    opcbaseball.com
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>As always - I appreciate you sharing your rip with us, Tim! You have great taste in product. >>



    Thanks, Jeff! I enjoy sharing the rips~though I try to keep as much unopened unopened as I can, which is why I quit now and keep my other 74 OPC packs sealed, LOL...


    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.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Double post.

    Tom,

    Does the Twins checklist have a shot at PSA 8? IIRC the tougher teram checklists can go for around $50 in PSA 8 grade. Is that the case?


    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.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Typical OPC pack...these cards are so undervalued

    That Aparicio looks off T/B and tilted. I think it's an 8 >>



    I agree. After looking at the pic again, should 8 if no other problems >>



    Centering T/B likely relegates it to an 8, maybe an 8.5. The tilt is within parameters for a PSA 9 grade, otherwise.


    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.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    Hard to say with that pic. Can you post another scan with just that card so it shows up larger...

    They are very strict with the red border. Those are just as difficult as the 1971 black borders
    opcbaseball.com
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    Here is a scan on my PSA 8...

    image
    opcbaseball.com
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This one will remain sealed! image


    image


    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.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Hard to say with that pic. Can you post another scan with just that card so it shows up larger...

    They are very strict with the red border. Those are just as difficult as the 1971 black borders >>



    Here's an enlarged scan of the Twins checklist card..

    image


    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.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭✭
    My opinion, its no better than a 8

    Its a pop 5 with none higher in PSA 8
    opcbaseball.com
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,743 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My opinion, its no better than a 8

    Its a pop 5 with none higher in PSA 8 >>



    Thanks, Tom, appreciate the feedback!

    If both the Aparicio and the checklist grade an 8, I'll break even and be happy. image

    Will update this thread (and the previous one when those cards come back) with the results.


    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.
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