a couple of posters have made valid points. But there is another way that it should be looked at. And understand I have been collecting pretty much all unopened since the mid '80s--long before pack authentication.
Just as pack authentication by GAI changed the landscape of how you could buy packs and racks, and boxes--so has the BBCE wrap now used to wrap boxes.
The whole wrapping of boxes as authentication has been a great service to the hobby that was not available elsewhere, but it has also changed the dynamics of unopened. At 1st you could only get boxes directly from BBCE that were wrapped and authenticated when they sold it to you--(of course a 3rd party could then acquire it, but generally, only from BBCE). Whether they were factory boxes or "made" boxes--no one knew for sure--all we knew was that the packs were all legit--which is what we really cared about.
In the -- what--last year or 2, BBCE has been authenticating product that PSA does not currently grade--ie-racks, boxes and in some case--well, cases. IMO there was a dire need for such a service since many of us collect items such as boxes, racks and cases--and yes we wanted an option other than GAI--the black hole of grading unopened as we all knew. And it goes without saying in any collectible for sale that having it authenticated by the best in the business will only increase your selling point as opposed to a product that is not.
So the poster who said that this box is devalued/tainted does and doesn't have a point. In the "no point" argument, as I think Grote15 mentioned, we as collectors know the packs are legit and that's good enough for us if this box is subsequently wrapped by BBCE as authentic unopened. But is the box tainted? Well let me say I would not want the box now that is has been thoroughly digested on the boards (one of the hazards of "The Public Rip"). But that doesn't mean that is has been tainted if later authenticated. Also ANYONE who buys '75 material to rip knows the possibility of this happening. Heck in one of the last group rios 2 years ago--I got an absolutely stunning '93 SP Jeter--subbed 2 times--both got rejected as min size.
In the "he does have a point" argument here is my point. There is a very good chance that many boxes now being authenticated as unopened--well maybe in the '70s anyway--could very well be made boxes--pieced together one by one. Same with some rack boxes. I recently bought a '78 rack box knowing the possibility that it was a "made box". Again--so long as all are legit racks--I am OK with that since mine are not for ripping but for sale--some day.
So here is the real point--we all know that there is a premium with a sealed case. The difference is what premium we assess to it--in the neighborhood of 10-20%?? Is it time to adjust that figure? I used to use "BBCE" as a search and used to get 1 or 2 items daily--maybe. Now there are numerous. But a sealed case--there is no more from the factory fresh than that.
IMO--I do think it's time to reassess the percentage we assess to a "from a sealed case" designation--or an actual sealed case--since that is the ONLY way you know you are getting fresh product direct from the manufacturer. With real possibilities of HOFers and other stars on top--the true Holy Grail for us unopened collectors.
for complete transparency--I own exactly 1 sealed case (and everyone knows what it is)--and most of my vintage unopened wax is non-BBCE wrapped (for now anyway!!)
So why wouldn't you want the rack, case or box authenticated
<< <i>That said, I think it is inaccurate to call this box a "problem" box, anymore than you'd call a mini wax box from a sealed case that has yielded primarily OC cards a "problem box."
As an unopened collector, centering of the top card is important to me, for aesthetic purposes and visual appeal. >>
"Problem" is a relative word. When a person buys a cello box with the intent of busting the cellos looking for high grade cards and then determines he can't bust the packs because the centering is so consistently bad I would then say this person has to a degree a problem on his hands.
If this same person bought the box with no intentions of busting the packs but instead is a collector of cellos with nice eye appeal who prefers nicely centered top cards then I would say this person again has a problem on his hands.
But if a person bought this wrapped box primarily for the fact that he is guaranteed the packs are authentic and not tampered with then he may not have an issue with the box at all.
Being that I am a collector of cellos only for their aesthetics and prefer nicely centered top cards I would personally consider this a "problem" box. But that's just my opinion based on my high standards and I'm sure to most collectors this box would be fine.
"You tell 'em I'm coming...and hell's coming with me"--Wyatt Earp
One other thing to note here too is that for ripping purposes, a 1970s cello pack is a generally poor source for pulling high grade cards due to the tight cello wrap used by Topps in this era. Even if the cards in the pack are well centered, the likelihood is that many cards will suffer from at least one corner ding which is rather significant when the vast majority of PSA 8 cards retail for less than the grading fee. If you are looking for high grade cards, wax and rack both offer better options than cello.
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.
<< <i>In the "he does have a point" argument here is my point. There is a very good chance that many boxes now being authenticated as unopened--well maybe in the '70s anyway--could very well be made boxes--pieced together one by one. Same with some rack boxes. I recently bought a '78 rack box knowing the possibility that it was a "made box". Again--so long as all are legit racks--I am OK with that since mine are not for ripping but for sale--some day. >>
When I started buying unopened a few months back or so, I assumed that if a box was BBCE wrapped is was authenticated as being untouched. I have recently learned this is not so by reading the forums. I will also assume a lot of new unopened collectors might make the same assumption. My attraction to unopened is that the contents inside have not been touched since it rolled of the assembly line. Now I am hearing that large dealers who have Topps cases (cellos and racks more so than wax) can search their boxes for stars and centered top cards, create diamond cut boxes and send them to Steve to create additional value that may or may not really be there is a little disheartening...
Last year I sold my 1957 Bel-Air, all original. I had so many offers I couldn't call everyone back and it brought a substantial premium. Why? Because it was "From a Sealed Case." All matching numbers, everything. Provenance like you wouldn't believe. It brought a number that a Frankenstein car would have never achieved...
<< <i>My attraction to unopened is that the contents inside have not been touched since it rolled of the assembly line. Now I am hearing that large dealers who have Topps cases (cellos and racks more so than wax) can search their boxes for stars and centered top cards, create diamond cut boxes and send them to Steve to create additional value that may or may not really be there is a little disheartening... >>
Unfortunately, there is no way to look at an unopened box and know that it is original unless you are the one opening the case. There are things that you pick up over the years that can clue you in on the fact that it is or isn't an original box. For example, in original cello and rack boxes you will find that a few of the players showing will repeat in the box, either front or back. Unless I am getting a cello or rack box from a sealed case, I prefer that the box isn't sealed so I can examine the packs and make my own judgement. In fact, I've unwrapped every box I've purchased from BBCE to examine the packs except for a 1983 Topps Baseball Cello Box because it was from a sealed case. Of course I have at least 4 other cello boxes from that year to look at if I want.
Discussions like this is why the board is a great source of information.
"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.
<< <i>Last year I sold my 1957 Bel-Air, all original. I had so many offers I couldn't call everyone back and it brought a substantial premium. Why? Because it was "From a Sealed Case." All matching numbers, everything. Provenance like you wouldn't believe. It brought a number that a Frankenstein car would have never achieved... >>
Be it vintage cards or cars you're a "purest" just like myself. In 2002 I sold a 1982 Delorean which was also "From a Sealed Case." And be it vintage cars or cards I don't like it when people play their games at the expense of collectors so they can make an extra buck. But then again I'm 57 years old and I guess I was just raised by parents who obtained their values from an earlier generation and as a result I expect too much from people.
"You tell 'em I'm coming...and hell's coming with me"--Wyatt Earp
I think cello (and especially rack) boxes are difficult to determine whether the box is original. For wax boxes it is pretty easy. There is a uniformity to the packs in an original box (printing of wrappers, appearance of packs) that is missing with a pieced together box.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
David is correct with regard to examining wrapper variations in a wax box to determine if it is original, or at least making an educated guess. Also, with regard to at least 75 cellos, Topps used two wrapper variations--one with product code ending in 4 and the other ending in 5. An original box should have all packs with same wrapper variation.
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.
<< <i>David is correct with regard to examining wrapper variations in a wax box to determine if it is original, or at least making an educated guess. Also, with regard to at least 75 cellos, Topps used two wrapper variations--one with product code ending in 4 and the other ending in 5. An original box should have all packs with same wrapper variation. >>
I was talking more about the appearance and "wrap" of the packs. But your point is well taken about the variations, such as all packs saying "1976 series" or having the same wrapper code.
When it comes to ad variations there should usually be an equal proportion of the different variations in an original box, though some ads are double printed. For example, with a Wacky Packages 1979 series 1 rerun box, the Wacky Wall Poster ad should be on half of the 36 packs, with the other 18 split between the other two ad variations. I looked into it one time and there is a similar breakdown with a 1975 wax box.
Edit: we see from this image that there are four ad variations, but the "Topps Sports Club" variation is double printed. So I'd expect approximately 14 of that ad and 7 of each of the others in an original 36-pack box (approximate since 5 doesn't divide 36).
Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this?
Will show pack by pack highlights. We've all seen horribly disfigured 1975s before. Will open a pack or two tonight. This box may take awhile! >>
Let me just say...seeing this photo......damn, that instantly took me back to being a 11 year old kid at my local drug store and it made me literally want to dig in my pockets for all the quarters I could find that were left over from my grass cutting money.
Despite all the other "stuff" going on in this thread.....this picture alone, to me, was worth opening this thread up.
Agree with mccard's sentiment. And back in 1975, we weren't looking at those cellos thinking, "these cards are all slightly diamond cut". We just viewed them as sweet pieces of cardboard perfection!
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning!
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning! >>
That's cost accounting, I'm a tax accountant.
"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.
<< <i>Let me just say...seeing this photo......damn, that instantly took me back to being a 11 year old kid at my local drug store and it made me literally want to dig in my pockets for all the quarters I could find that were left over from my grass cutting money >>
I remember heading off to the local deli and Wawa where I would bring $4-$5 and head right to the card pack aisle. Sometimes they would have just a full box out and I buy them out. Other times there might be four or five boxes or so out on the shelves. I'd go through the boxes as long as I could before it would seem the store manager would get angry with me for hanging around and messing up his shelves. I'd try to get the best and as many packs as I could afford. I'd stack them in different piles - yes, maybe, pass. Then sort through the maybe again and add some to the yes pile. If I went over on what I could afford, I'd go over all the yes stack of packs again. Head to the counter to get rung up. The clerk or owner would stick the packs in a paper bag and I would head home with so much excitement. I knew my next few days would be filled with joyful moments of pack ripping. It was awesome. I'd chew the gum over time and sort the cards.
Sometimes, I would buy wax and cellos but most times just cellos.
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning! >>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning! >>
<< <i>I think cello (and especially rack) boxes are difficult to determine whether the box is original. For wax boxes it is pretty easy. There is a uniformity to the packs in an original box (printing of wrappers, appearance of packs) that is missing with a pieced together box.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
>>
I don't agree with this. I've had original packed boxes from the 70s that had wrapping that varied all over the place. A few packs were miswrapped, some were well centered, others were off center. It would be great if we could use the wrap consistency to validate if the packs left the factory together but I don't believe that to be the case.
John, I guess I'd suggest that a uniform appearance confirms legitimacy, while a non-uniform appearance may not allow for a conclusion one way or the other. Because I have had many boxes where the packs did have a uniform appearance. Even minor things like uniform wrapper gloss are evident when looking at a box in person.
<< <i>I think cello (and especially rack) boxes are difficult to determine whether the box is original. For wax boxes it is pretty easy. There is a uniformity to the packs in an original box (printing of wrappers, appearance of packs) that is missing with a pieced together box.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
>>
I don't agree with this. I've had original packed boxes from the 70s that had wrapping that varied all over the place. A few packs were miswrapped, some were well centered, others were off center. It would be great if we could use the wrap consistency to validate if the packs left the factory together but I don't believe that to be the case. >>
I think that while wrapping centering may vary within an original box, the look and feel of the packs within the box are typically similar to one another. Another thing to look for is the color of the wax wrappers--original boxes will usually feature packs in which the color shade is uniform throughout.
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.
But get a good look. We don't get to see them anymore. We shrinkwrap boxes. If you're real lucky, you'll have a brown cardboard box case.
Woo hoo. >>
I completely agree and am constantly on the fence about taking the shrink wrap off some of my boxes. It seems too irresponsible to take it off the higher priced boxes or boxes that I think will be high priced at some point.
To bigdcards: "you are right" - cpamike "That is correct" -grote15
Comments
Just as pack authentication by GAI changed the landscape of how you could buy packs and racks, and boxes--so has the BBCE wrap now used to wrap boxes.
The whole wrapping of boxes as authentication has been a great service to the hobby that was not available elsewhere, but it has also changed the dynamics of unopened. At 1st you could only get boxes directly from BBCE that were wrapped and authenticated when they sold it to you--(of course a 3rd party could then acquire it, but generally, only from BBCE). Whether they were factory boxes or "made" boxes--no one knew for sure--all we knew was that the packs were all legit--which is what we really cared about.
In the -- what--last year or 2, BBCE has been authenticating product that PSA does not currently grade--ie-racks, boxes and in some case--well, cases. IMO there was a dire need for such a service since many of us collect items such as boxes, racks and cases--and yes we wanted an option other than GAI--the black hole of grading unopened as we all knew. And it goes without saying in any collectible for sale that having it authenticated by the best in the business will only increase your selling point as opposed to a product that is not.
So the poster who said that this box is devalued/tainted does and doesn't have a point. In the "no point" argument, as I think Grote15 mentioned, we as collectors know the packs are legit and that's good enough for us if this box is subsequently wrapped by BBCE as authentic unopened. But is the box tainted? Well let me say I would not want the box now that is has been thoroughly digested on the boards (one of the hazards of "The Public Rip"). But that doesn't mean that is has been tainted if later authenticated. Also ANYONE who buys '75 material to rip knows the possibility of this happening. Heck in one of the last group rios 2 years ago--I got an absolutely stunning '93 SP Jeter--subbed 2 times--both got rejected as min size.
In the "he does have a point" argument here is my point. There is a very good chance that many boxes now being authenticated as unopened--well maybe in the '70s anyway--could very well be made boxes--pieced together one by one. Same with some rack boxes. I recently bought a '78 rack box knowing the possibility that it was a "made box". Again--so long as all are legit racks--I am OK with that since mine are not for ripping but for sale--some day.
So here is the real point--we all know that there is a premium with a sealed case. The difference is what premium we assess to it--in the neighborhood of 10-20%?? Is it time to adjust that figure? I used to use "BBCE" as a search and used to get 1 or 2 items daily--maybe. Now there are numerous. But a sealed case--there is no more from the factory fresh than that.
IMO--I do think it's time to reassess the percentage we assess to a "from a sealed case" designation--or an actual sealed case--since that is the ONLY way you know you are getting fresh product direct from the manufacturer. With real possibilities of HOFers and other stars on top--the true Holy Grail for us unopened collectors.
for complete transparency--I own exactly 1 sealed case (and everyone knows what it is)--and most of my vintage unopened wax is non-BBCE wrapped (for now anyway!!)
So why wouldn't you want the rack, case or box authenticated
<< <i>That said, I think it is inaccurate to call this box a "problem" box, anymore than you'd call a mini wax box from a sealed case that has yielded primarily OC cards a "problem box."
As an unopened collector, centering of the top card is important to me, for aesthetic purposes and visual appeal. >>
"Problem" is a relative word. When a person buys a cello box with the intent of busting the cellos looking for high grade cards and then determines he can't bust the packs because the centering is so consistently bad I would then say this person has to a degree a problem on his hands.
If this same person bought the box with no intentions of busting the packs but instead is a collector of cellos with nice eye appeal who prefers nicely centered top cards then I would say this person again has a problem on his hands.
But if a person bought this wrapped box primarily for the fact that he is guaranteed the packs are authentic and not tampered with then he may not have an issue with the box at all.
Being that I am a collector of cellos only for their aesthetics and prefer nicely centered top cards I would personally consider this a "problem" box. But that's just my opinion based on my high standards and I'm sure to most collectors this box would be fine.
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.
<< <i>In the "he does have a point" argument here is my point. There is a very good chance that many boxes now being authenticated as unopened--well maybe in the '70s anyway--could very well be made boxes--pieced together one by one. Same with some rack boxes. I recently bought a '78 rack box knowing the possibility that it was a "made box". Again--so long as all are legit racks--I am OK with that since mine are not for ripping but for sale--some day. >>
When I started buying unopened a few months back or so, I assumed that if a box was BBCE wrapped is was authenticated as being untouched. I have recently learned this is not so by reading the forums. I will also assume a lot of new unopened collectors might make the same assumption. My attraction to unopened is that the contents inside have not been touched since it rolled of the assembly line. Now I am hearing that large dealers who have Topps cases (cellos and racks more so than wax) can search their boxes for stars and centered top cards, create diamond cut boxes and send them to Steve to create additional value that may or may not really be there is a little disheartening...
Last year I sold my 1957 Bel-Air, all original. I had so many offers I couldn't call everyone back and it brought a substantial premium. Why? Because it was "From a Sealed Case." All matching numbers, everything. Provenance like you wouldn't believe. It brought a number that a Frankenstein car would have never achieved...
<< <i>
<< <i>BTW - Nikklos,
No guts no glory! You got guts!!!! Thanks for trying and thanks for sharing in this thread! >>
+1
Wholeheartedly agree! >>
+2
<< <i>My attraction to unopened is that the contents inside have not been touched since it rolled of the assembly line. Now I am hearing that large dealers who have Topps cases (cellos and racks more so than wax) can search their boxes for stars and centered top cards, create diamond cut boxes and send them to Steve to create additional value that may or may not really be there is a little disheartening... >>
Unfortunately, there is no way to look at an unopened box and know that it is original unless you are the one opening the case. There are things that you pick up over the years that can clue you in on the fact that it is or isn't an original box. For example, in original cello and rack boxes you will find that a few of the players showing will repeat in the box, either front or back. Unless I am getting a cello or rack box from a sealed case, I prefer that the box isn't sealed so I can examine the packs and make my own judgement. In fact, I've unwrapped every box I've purchased from BBCE to examine the packs except for a 1983 Topps Baseball Cello Box because it was from a sealed case. Of course I have at least 4 other cello boxes from that year to look at if I want.
Discussions like this is why the board is a great source of information.
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.
<< <i>Last year I sold my 1957 Bel-Air, all original. I had so many offers I couldn't call everyone back and it brought a substantial premium. Why? Because it was "From a Sealed Case." All matching numbers, everything. Provenance like you wouldn't believe. It brought a number that a Frankenstein car would have never achieved... >>
Be it vintage cards or cars you're a "purest" just like myself. In 2002 I sold a 1982 Delorean which was also "From a Sealed Case." And be it vintage cars or cards I don't like it when people play their games at the expense of collectors so they can make an extra buck. But then again I'm 57 years old and I guess I was just raised by parents who obtained their values from an earlier generation and as a result I expect too much from people.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
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.
<< <i>David is correct with regard to examining wrapper variations in a wax box to determine if it is original, or at least making an educated guess. Also, with regard to at least 75 cellos, Topps used two wrapper variations--one with product code ending in 4 and the other ending in 5. An original box should have all packs with same wrapper variation. >>
I was talking more about the appearance and "wrap" of the packs. But your point is well taken about the variations, such as all packs saying "1976 series" or having the same wrapper code.
When it comes to ad variations there should usually be an equal proportion of the different variations in an original box, though some ads are double printed. For example, with a Wacky Packages 1979 series 1 rerun box, the Wacky Wall Poster ad should be on half of the 36 packs, with the other 18 split between the other two ad variations. I looked into it one time and there is a similar breakdown with a 1975 wax box.
Edit: we see from this image that there are four ad variations, but the "Topps Sports Club" variation is double printed. So I'd expect approximately 14 of that ad and 7 of each of the others in an original 36-pack box (approximate since 5 doesn't divide 36).
Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this?
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!?
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.
<< <i>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
<< <i>
Will show pack by pack highlights. We've all seen horribly disfigured 1975s before. Will open a pack or two tonight. This box may take awhile! >>
Let me just say...seeing this photo......damn, that instantly took me back to being a 11 year old kid at my local drug store and it made me literally want to dig in my pockets for all the quarters I could find that were left over from my grass cutting money.
Despite all the other "stuff" going on in this thread.....this picture alone, to me, was worth opening this thread up.
<< <i>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning!
That's cost accounting, I'm a tax accountant.
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.
<< <i>Let me just say...seeing this photo......damn, that instantly took me back to being a 11 year old kid at my local drug store and it made me literally want to dig in my pockets for all the quarters I could find that were left over from my grass cutting money >>
I remember heading off to the local deli and Wawa where I would bring $4-$5 and head right to the card pack aisle. Sometimes they would have just a full box out and I buy them out. Other times there
might be four or five boxes or so out on the shelves. I'd go through the boxes as long as I could before it would seem the store manager would get angry with me for hanging around and messing up his
shelves. I'd try to get the best and as many packs as I could afford. I'd stack them in different piles - yes, maybe, pass. Then sort through the maybe again and add some to the yes pile. If I went over
on what I could afford, I'd go over all the yes stack of packs again. Head to the counter to get rung up. The clerk or owner would stick the packs in a paper bag and I would head home with so much
excitement. I knew my next few days would be filled with joyful moments of pack ripping. It was awesome. I'd chew the gum over time and sort the cards.
Sometimes, I would buy wax and cellos but most times just cellos.
Great to be a kid!
aconte
Rumor has it you're going to rip a few 75's tomorrow night. Care to confirm?
<< <i>Hey Mike,
Rumor has it you're going to rip a few 75's tomorrow night. Care to confirm?
That will only happen if it rains cats and dogs. Oh Sh*t!?!
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.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning!
That's cost accounting, I'm a tax accountant.
^^HA! In accountant terms, that's a checkmate.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Can anyone with an original 75 box from a sealed case verify or refute this? >>
Are you crazy, it's in the BBCE wrap?!? >>
Your an accountant, do the math. What is the "from sealed case premium worth"? What is the potential profit from cherry picking the box and refilling with crap packs and paying 5% to reseal it? Crunch those numbers and do a cost benefit analysis! I need that report on my desk in the morning!
That's cost accounting, I'm a tax accountant.
^^HA! In accountant terms, that's a checkmate. >>
That would be called an actuary
<< <i>I think cello (and especially rack) boxes are difficult to determine whether the box is original. For wax boxes it is pretty easy. There is a uniformity to the packs in an original box (printing of wrappers, appearance of packs) that is missing with a pieced together box.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
I don't agree with this. I've had original packed boxes from the 70s that had wrapping that varied all over the place. A few packs were miswrapped, some were well centered, others were off center. It would be great if we could use the wrap consistency to validate if the packs left the factory together but I don't believe that to be the case.
God, I love looking at packs in boxes.
But get a good look. We don't get to see them anymore. We shrinkwrap boxes. If you're real lucky, you'll have a brown cardboard box case.
Woo hoo.
<< <i>
<< <i>I think cello (and especially rack) boxes are difficult to determine whether the box is original. For wax boxes it is pretty easy. There is a uniformity to the packs in an original box (printing of wrappers, appearance of packs) that is missing with a pieced together box.
Here's an example. See how the packs all have a similar appearance?
I don't agree with this. I've had original packed boxes from the 70s that had wrapping that varied all over the place. A few packs were miswrapped, some were well centered, others were off center. It would be great if we could use the wrap consistency to validate if the packs left the factory together but I don't believe that to be the case. >>
I think that while wrapping centering may vary within an original box, the look and feel of the packs within the box are typically similar to one another. Another thing to look for is the color of the wax wrappers--original boxes will usually feature packs in which the color shade is uniform throughout.
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.
Fingers
Brooks
And a BRETT!!
<< <i>Unfortunately, and it's not like me, but that's where they're staying, my friend. >>
WOW!!!!!
<< <i>God, I love looking at packs in boxes.
But get a good look. We don't get to see them anymore. We shrinkwrap boxes. If you're real lucky, you'll have a brown cardboard box case.
Woo hoo. >>
I completely agree and am constantly on the fence about taking the shrink wrap off some of my boxes. It seems too irresponsible to take it off the higher priced boxes or boxes that I think will be high priced at some point.
<< <i>And a BRETT!!
BINGO!! Congrats! Awesome.
Edited to note that, like a moron, I didn't bother to notice it was Ken until after I posted.
On the Brett - at first I thought it was George - but then noticed it was his brother Ken.
I've passed on cellos with Brett and Yount years ago. Now? A bit of regrets.