Vintage Baseball Wax Question: 1968 Topps Wax Box Value

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 7:22AM

I am clueless when it comes to vintage wax. I rip alot of high end modern, but I recently came across a 1968 Topps Baseball Wax Box. It appears to be the real deal. I am going to post pics in a few days when I get them. What is the normal market value for something like this? What would a retailer like BBCE buy it for? Please let me know. TY.

Meatloaf

mcolney1 · February 21, 2014 7:31AM

If authentic, and that is a BIG IF, then you're talking multiple thousands of dollars. I would contact BBCE before making such a purchase.

sportscardstop · February 21, 2014 7:31AM

If you want to know what BBCE would buy it for, just shoot him an email.

gemint · February 21, 2014 7:57AM

Depends a lot on the series. Could be $5k-$8k or over $10k if the Ryan series.

Crazylegs · February 21, 2014 8:04AM

The series will determine your true price.

2nd & 3rd series boxes should bring twice as much as the other series.

If authentic you've got a great box!

grote15 · February 21, 2014 8:44AM

A box like that, original and intact, will be worth far more than the sum of its parts. Depending on series, I'd estimate value anywhere between 12-20k.

Griffins · February 21, 2014 8:47AM

I"m with Tim. A full box should carry a premium more than the sum of its parts.

cpamike · February 21, 2014 9:06AM

I also agree with both Tim and Anthony. A truly original full box is worth far more than what an individual pack would sell for. I agree with Tim's range with the 2nd and 3rd series being closer to the higher amount. Best of luck with the purchase.

esquiresports · February 21, 2014 9:13AM

That box doesn't hit the public market often, so it's difficult to say there is a normal market value. Most recent auction price I am aware of was through REA in 2010. Box sold for about $7500 for a fifth series box. Like Tim and Mike said, I'd imagine you're close to double that now, and closer to triple that for 2nd/3rd series. I hope it turns out to be a real box!

Unknown · February 21, 2014 9:18AM

This content has been removed.

MacrosB · February 21, 2014 9:30AM

What do you think the value of a first series box would be relative to the other series? Would that be the least expensive?

Jim

ReggieCleveland · February 21, 2014 10:33AM

<< No offense, but why would you post this instead of picking up the phone & calling BBCE? There have only been like eleventy billion posts about BBCE & how accessible Steve is. Call me crazy but if I had that box I'd pick up the phone & call the expert instead of relying on message board posters. >>

My guess is that he will do that. But this is a message board, where people come to talk about the hobby. A little productive conversation never hurt anyone.

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 11:28AM

<< 

<< No offense, but why would you post this instead of picking up the phone & calling BBCE? There have only been like eleventy billion posts about BBCE & how accessible Steve is. Call me crazy but if I had that box I'd pick up the phone & call the expert instead of relying on message board posters. >>

My guess is that he will do that. But this is a message board, where people come to talk about the hobby. A little productive conversation never hurt anyone. >>

+1

Steelernation · February 21, 2014 11:28AM

If it bothers you that he posted and actually wanted some outside opinions then dont read this thread. It's actually possible that someone may have seen some recent auctions or selling that steve isn't aware of. it's a community message board, move on.

Meatloaf, next hes going to accuse you of fraud or wanting something other than just what the market value is. Wait until mary c. starts his background check. Then the bullying begins. Sigh

There's a similar thread with almost the exact question that stimulated a great discussion and picked the brains of the legit experts on this board. Such a wealth of knowledge, you wouldn't be doing your due diligence without accessing them. Good luck. That would be an abs awesome cornerstone to your collection.

swartz1 · February 21, 2014 10:57PM

My guess is the Grote estimate is low...

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 11:07PM

Update: the claim from the seller is that this is "series 2." Still waiting on the pics. Going to visit him tomorrow am in CLT if it all works out.

cpamike · February 21, 2014 11:11PM

Best of luck Alex.

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 11:15PM

<< Best of luck Alex. >>

TY to you and all the board members advice...I feel like I am on an adventure....I hope this is not a bust...CLT is like a 3.5 hr drive from me.

cpamike · February 21, 2014 11:30PM

<< 

<< Best of luck Alex. >>

TY to you and all the board members advice...I feel like I am on an adventure....I hope this is not a bust...CLT is like a 3.5 hr drive from me. >>

It will all be worth it if the box is legit. Hopefully you'll be able to see the roller lines on the back of the packs.

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 11:32PM

<< 

<< 

<< Best of luck Alex. >>

TY to you and all the board members advice...I feel like I am on an adventure....I hope this is not a bust...CLT is like a 3.5 hr drive from me. >>

It will all be worth it if the box is legit. Hopefully you'll be able to see the roller lines on the back of the packs. >>

Anyone have an "example" pic of this I could take on my phone or laptop as a reference? I am clueless with this stuff...I mostly rip foil packs of the modern generation, lol.

Crazylegs · February 21, 2014 11:36PM

I think posting here was just a search for more information on a very rare product.

BBCE & Steve are great people. I have dealt with them many times, all very professional
transactions.

BUT, and this is a big but, calling someone and asking what their buy price is on something
like this in no way tells you the value. He is buying to resell! The true value is in selling/auctioning
this yourself, or commissioning it to a trusted big name seller (Maybe even Steve).

A collector is going to pay you MUCH, MUCH MORE for this item than someone that is in business to resell.

An unopened collector will pay you a very sweet premium to add this to their collection.

I just made a private sale of 6 unopened boxes that I bought in the late 70's that will now pay for my son's last year
of college at JMU and my daughter's next 4 years at either JMU or VA TECH. Two dif. series 1969 baseball, two 1972
basketball, a 12 ct. 1971 basketball and a second series 1970 basketball. These were bought from a great old time dealer
named Neil Hoppenworth in a great old school SCD transaction. The whole deal was about $900 (which for a college kid
in the 70's was a ton of money) for about 15 unopened boxes of wax, 20 something basketball vending boxes and about
30 sets he had put together from vending. He even threw in an extra set of every year I ordered as a bonus as I remember.
I doubt I would ever get that sort of collector/dealer kindness today!

So Meatloaf keep posting because you never know where that buyer may be.

I am sure the great deal I made selling this year will be the great deal in 4 years that my buyer will be bragging about lol.

Meatloaf · February 21, 2014 11:42PM

<< I think posting here was just a search for more information on a very rare product.

BBCE & Steve are great people. I have dealt with them many times, all very professional
transactions.

BUT, and this is a big but, calling someone and asking what their buy price is on something
like this in no way tells you the value. He is buying to resell! The true value is in selling/auctioning
this yourself, or commissioning it to a trusted big name seller (Maybe even Steve).

A collector is going to pay you MUCH, MUCH MORE for this item than someone that is in business to resell.

An unopened collector will pay you a very sweet premium to add this to their collection.

So Meatloaf keep posting because you never know where that buyer may be.

I am sure the great deal I made selling this year will be the great deal in 4 years that my buyer will be bragging about lol. >>

+1 for the story and advice, ty

mlbfan2 · February 21, 2014 11:55PM

<< BUT, and this is a big but, calling someone and asking what their buy price is on something
like this in no way tells you the value. He is buying to resell!
>>

Of course, but it shouldn't be too hard to determine the value based on Steve's other buy prices. For example, he buys 1989 UD cases for $1,200 and sells them for $1,800. He might even tell you what something is worth, if he knows.

grote15 · February 21, 2014 11:59PM

Good luck, Alex!

Check the seals to make sure roller lines are unbroken and intact. When a pack is opened, that seal is broken and very difficult to replicate. Also check corner folds, which should appear as tight triangles. That is also difficult to replicate after opening. Be wary of any unusual creases or wrinkles in the wrappers, or discoloration on the back of the packs. Legit wax, especially in an intact and authentic box, should look very "clean," almost like small pillows, if you will. It is not uncommon for the packs on top row or two to have broken gum, but in most packs below the top row, at least, gum shuld be intact. Topps used very wide gum during this era. Maske sure the gum is not the skinny stick version they used in the late 1980s. Resealers often have difficulty locating the correct sized gum.

grote15 · February 22, 2014 12:11AM

<< I think posting here was just a search for more information on a very rare product.

BBCE & Steve are great people. I have dealt with them many times, all very professional
transactions.

BUT, and this is a big but, calling someone and asking what their buy price is on something
like this in no way tells you the value. He is buying to resell! The true value is in selling/auctioning
this yourself, or commissioning it to a trusted big name seller (Maybe even Steve).

A collector is going to pay you MUCH, MUCH MORE for this item than someone that is in business to resell.

An unopened collector will pay you a very sweet premium to add this to their collection.

I just made a private sale of 6 unopened boxes that I bought in the late 70's that will now pay for my son's last year
of college at JMU and my daughter's next 4 years at either JMU or VA TECH. Two dif. series 1969 baseball, two 1972
basketball, a 12 ct. 1971 basketball and a second series 1970 basketball. These were bought from a great old time dealer
named Neil Hoppenworth in a great old school SCD transaction. The whole deal was about $900 (which for a college kid
in the 70's was a ton of money) for about 15 unopened boxes of wax, 20 something basketball vending boxes and about
30 sets he had put together from vending. He even threw in an extra set of every year I ordered as a bonus as I remember.
I doubt I would ever get that sort of collector/dealer kindness today!

So Meatloaf keep posting because you never know where that buyer may be.

I am sure the great deal I made selling this year will be the great deal in 4 years that my buyer will be bragging about lol. >>

Great story! Thanks for sharing it, and congrats on the sale! You did very well, to say the least, LOL..

Meatloaf · February 22, 2014 12:29AM

<< Good luck, Alex!

Check the seals to make sure roller lines are unbroken and intact. When a pack is opened, that seal is broken and very difficult to replicate. Also check corner folds, which should appear as tight triangles. That is also difficult to replicate after opening. Be wary of any unusual creases or wrinkles in the wrappers, or discoloration on the back of the packs. Legit wax, especially in an intact and authentic box, should look very "clean," almost like small pillows, if you will. It is not uncommon for the packs on top row or two to have broken gum, but in most packs below the top row, at least, gum shuld be intact. Topps used very wide gum during this era. Maske sure the gum is not the skinny stick version they used in the late 1980s. Resealers often have difficulty locating the correct sized gum. >>

Wow, ty for this OUTSTANDING description. I shall report results by Sunday night, crossing fingers.

Steelernation · February 22, 2014 12:42AM

Listen to grote and CPAmike. They're a wealth of knowledge.
Good luck.

Grote..excellent description, thx

60sfan · February 22, 2014 12:59AM

<< 

<< No offense, but why would you post this instead of picking up the phone & calling BBCE? There have only been like eleventy billion posts about BBCE & how accessible Steve is. Call me crazy but if I had that box I'd pick up the phone & call the expert instead of relying on message board posters. >>

My guess is that he will do that. But this is a message board, where people come to talk about the hobby. A little productive conversation never hurt anyone. >>

+1

aconte · February 22, 2014 12:59AM

<< Listen to grote and CPAmike. They're a wealth of knowledge.
Good luck.

Grote..excellent description, thx >>

+1000!!

aconte

Big80s · February 22, 2014 1:07AM

Congrats on the find, Meatloaf! I hope this all turns out well. What an amazing unopened collectible this could be. Rock Chalk!

dennis07 · February 22, 2014 1:10AM

....................

cpamike · February 22, 2014 1:20AM

Sorry for the post and run Alex. I was in the waiting area of the eye doctor's office with my son and then got called in for the examination. Don't people realize that there are unopened collection emergencies that need to be addressed, LOL.

Tim went into great depth on what to look for. The gum is an easy one to check and folds which have been flattened out in places where they shouldn't be is another. When looking for the roller marks on back, I find they are easier to see when you tilt the pack slightly at eye level. It is hard to show with pictures as it does NOT show up well in them.

Edited for missed NOT.

Crazylegs · February 22, 2014 5:47AM

Meatloaf this may help.

I looked at a few backs to see which showed the clearest roller marks.

My 72's were the easiest to see in hand.

[URL=http://s1011.photobucket.com/user/skinsfan43-pictures/media/IMG_0001_zps68220c6c.jpg.html]

[/URL]

[URL=http://s1011.photobucket.com/user/skinsfan43-pictures/media/IMG_0006_zps346697ab.jpg.html]

[/URL]

I don't have any 68's.

I think you can see the folds and roller marks on these.

Hope this helps.

grote15 · March 1, 2014 3:47AM

Meatloaf, how did this deal turn out?

Meatloaf · March 1, 2014 8:46AM

Still on hold. Every time I attempt to get there to buy, something comes up with him or me (darn life!). I will keep everyone informed.....right now no real updates.

Meatloaf · March 1, 2014 8:47AM

Ty for the pics. Have them saved on my phone and laptop ready to go.

natetrook · March 13, 2014 12:14PM

Any info on the 1968 box?
Matt

jamesryanbell · March 18, 2014 4:10AM

So what ever happened with this??

Meatloaf · March 18, 2014 11:09AM

Seller is wishy-washy on his intent to sell...riding it out at this point. I promise I shall provide an update w/ pics once the deal, but don't have anything yet. I have a feeling is going to take some time at this point...

MacrosB · August 15, 2015 6:41AM

Did anything ever come of this? Wondering if you ever got to see the box.

Jim

olb31 · August 15, 2015 10:41AM

im guessing that the 1968 box wasn't the real deal

Vintage Baseball Wax Question: 1968 Topps Wax Box Value

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