Patrick, Hoping to get your expert opinion on this tip of 1989 Topps. It was fun as Yzerman was my favorite player growing up. I swear, I saw some commons 15 times throughout the box....too bad it wasn't gretzky or sakic. All looks o/c to me.
Nathanael mentioned earlier that with a 198 card set there will be a bunch of cards added to the sheets to fill them and I think this is why there are so many doubles and triples of certain cards. Not bad there, I do, however, wish you'd hit some better centered cards. I've found that out of opening about 100 boxes thus far that the better the stickers are centered, the more OC the regular cards are. Weird, and it kinda looks like that with your box.
Corners look rough on Leetch straight from the pack. I've been have a really tough time finding a Leetch I feel has a decent shot at a 10. The best looking ones seem to be close to the wrapper which leaves either wax and/or corner damage.
I think the best shot at a 10, based on those pictures, is the Lemieux sticker....Not sure what they sell for but I'd guess about 15 to $20?
If you want to put a set together, just PM the one you need and I'll send them your way...I literally have over 20,000 in monster boxes, lol. Thanks for sharing Davis!
Mullins, thanks for looking over the cards. I don't think I'll sub any of them unless I'm missing something. The Sakic's will go into my rookie collection ungraded. Good luck with your quest of 10's!
I hope you haven't given up the dream yet. This is a great idea, I have been thinking about doing something similar with my favorite baseball card set, 1987 Topps. I wish I could afford to do this with the 87-88 Topps hockey set as it is one of my all-time favorites.
I hope you haven't given up the dream yet. This is a great idea, I have been thinking about doing something similar with my favorite baseball card set, 1987 Topps. I wish I could afford to do this with the 87-88 Topps hockey set as it is one of my all-time favorites.
Best of luck to you.
Jonathan >>
Thanks Jonathan. 1987 had a couple great looking sets for baseball and hockey! I'm with you, at nearly $300/box for hockey it's tough to do. I wonder how tough the baseball set would be? There are four times as many cards as are in this '89 Topps Hockey set, but I don't know how condition sensitive they are....
And I haven't given up! I don't think I ever will. It's been a blast ripping wax....I think the only thing that'll stop me is if the prices of '89 Topps gets out of hand....but I don' t think it will
Most of the 9s are pretty darn near perfect, so I'm looking forward to comparing them in person to the 10s to see what PSA knocked them down for.
Will scan when in-hand.
Set at 12/198 thus far!
Thanks EagleEye for letting me jump in on your sub!
MINT 9 1989 Topps 137 Greg Millen Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 37 John Tucker Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 35 Randy Wood Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 110 Ray Bourque Card Really happy about this card. Haven't had too much luck pulling nice Bourques. GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 93 Scott Stevens Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 181 Brent Ashton Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 174 Chris Chelios Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 163 Mike Vernon Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 72 Tim Kerr Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 195 Pete Peeters Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198 Card Really Happy with the Checklist. These have been tough due to staining and centering. POP 1 MINT 9 1989 Topps 39 David Shaw Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 77 Jim Johnson Card NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 108 Gary Suter Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 172 Gerard Gallant Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 73 Bob Joyce Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 48 Jon Casey Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 14 Brent Sutter Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 128 Larry Murphy Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 118 Mats Naslund Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 18 Dale DeGray Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 76 Dale Hunter Card NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 169 Derek Laxdal Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 147 Brendan Shanahan Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 178 Greg Adams Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 117 Kirk Muller Card NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 117 Kirk Muller Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 94 Pat Elynuik Card
Congrats on your latest sub. Lot of 10's and it looks like the rest of your sub was all 9's with an 8. Your eye is definitely getting sharper as I recall some earlier subs with grades all over the place. Good luck on the subs you have out and your future subs. Rooting for you to complete this. Are you going to make a set with all your PSA 9's?
Congrats on your latest sub. Lot of 10's and it looks like the rest of your sub was all 9's with an 8. Your eye is definitely getting sharper as I recall some earlier subs with grades all over the place. Good luck on the subs you have out and your future subs. Rooting for you to complete this. Are you going to make a set with all your PSA 9's? >>
Thank you Steve.
That first sub was a learning experience. I've been able to use those cards for the mint set I'm building, so to answer your question, I am building a second one too.
Here's some more poppage Thank you Casey (Charrigan) for letting me jump in your January sub.
MINT 9 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198 MINT 9 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198 GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 197 Checklist 1-99 This finishes the checklists for me and his a huge relief. Out of about 70 boxes I've opened nearly all of the checklists fall in the PSA 8/9 range. MINT 9 1989 Topps 170 Clint Malarchuk GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 138 Joe Nieuwendyk MINT 9 1989 Topps 153 Stephane Richer GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 110 Ray Bourque This is my second PSA 10 Bourque.
Getting 10s back makes it so much easier to sift through raw cards since I can eliminate these players. I'll still hold onto any raw potential 9/10s in case anyone needs them for building a future PSA set.
Congratulations Patrick. Getting 10's is tough enough, let alone of stars to boot. It seems that getting 10's on stars/HOF'ers is really tough. Good job!
I've been incredibly busy since January with school. I'm halfway through the program and had a little spare time the past couple days to catch a breath, so I FINALLY sorted through and organized the 89s.
I really wish I had done this from the start, but I was so excited to rip open the boxes that I didn't put time into GOOD system of organization.
I've always made four piles when I open a box. One pile for the stickers, another for the stained cards, another for ones that will not make the cut, and the last for ones that are centered and appear to be gradeable. These nicer ones are put on a shelf in my closet and I now have them organized by team, so that at anytime I can go through them when it's time to make a submission and send the nicest card of each player I have.
Stained cards are not allowed to go to my son. His mother says it makes too much of a mess and he slips on them. I sneak him a handful here and there when she's not looking. They are kept in a monster box that's about halfway full now. The other cards are in three monster boxes. Monster boxes hold approximately 5,000 cards!
The cardsaver boxes have cards in them, too.
Honestly, I think I think I can get most of this PSA 10 set done with what I have already pulled.
Raw Sakic, Lemieux, Gretzky, Leetch go in binders. I have almost 200 Sakics! Here are some pictures before I get back to schoolwork!
That is an insane amount of 1989 Topps hockey. I would bet you are sick of some of the over airbrushed cards. Why would Walt Poddubny need his helmet airbrushed? Surely there were better photos of Bernie Federko, Adam Oates, and Cliff Ronning available. Why was New Jersey the only place photos were taken after a decade of Washington pictures??? All these question pop into my head without even looking at the cards.
What are some of the question you have started muttering to yourself as you sort?
<< <i>That is an insane amount of 1989 Topps hockey. I would bet you are sick of some of the over airbrushed cards. Why would Walt Poddubny need his helmet airbrushed? Surely there were better photos of Bernie Federko, Adam Oates, and Cliff Ronning available. Why was New Jersey the only place photos were taken after a decade of Washington pictures??? All these question pop into my head without even looking at the cards.
What are some of the question you have started muttering to yourself as you sort?
-Nathanael >>
Hah! Goodness you nailed it on the airbrushing, closeups, and NJ.
Why paint the background on Gilmour? Who is that sitting next to him?
Why is that fan wearing sunglasses on Jim Johnson? Is he the unibomber?
Are those brothers behind Rick Tocchet?
Why are backgrounds of the text on Dirk Graham and Wayne Presley yellow, while all the other Blackhawks orange?
Why not airbrush the blocker out of Randy Hillier's card?
Who is the cool guy wearing a Miami Dolphins jacket behind Phil Bourque?
How come the guy behind Pierre Turgeon looks exactly like me?
Why not at least one goalie to represent each team?
How come Kelly Hrudey's helmet couldn't be airbrushed? Why sneak him on a card with Kirk Muller in his NY gear? Again, choose another picture or airbrush him out (though I guess this was their way of getting an Islanders goalie in the set)!
The biggest question for me is...What is going on in Joe Sakic's mind? I mean, really? He is the only person in the set looking the camera dead-on with a look like he just doesn't care.
I love this thread and I am always glad to see an update. I bought a bunch of sets last week and the guy gave me a 1989 OPC set. I immediately thought about this thread although its about Topps. I am pretty new to hockey but I have been becoming more interested in it as of late.
According to a post on the April Sub Special it looks like it will be $5.50/card. That is the lowest I can remember in a long time. Will you be sending more in? Thanks for the update. Love following along on this project. Good luck!
Why paint the background on Gilmour? The airbrusher needed his hours to qualify for EI. Who is that sitting next to him?
The little known Doug Broten, the last of the Broten brothers to make it to the NHL.
Why is that fan wearing sunglasses on Jim Johnson?
The sunglasses were necessary to shield his eyes from the glare of Ken Daneyko's tooth. Is he the unibomber? No hoodie so not a chance.
Are those brothers behind Rick Tocchet?
Pre-rookie cards of the Ferraro brothers.
Why are backgrounds of the text on Dirk Graham and Wayne Presley yellow, while all the other Blackhawks orange?
Yellow brings out the luster in the Sher-Wood P.M.P feather-lite 5030 wood grain sticks better than orange.
Why not airbrush the blocker out of Randy Hillier's card?
Cooper had a secret deal with a Topps employee that ensured their brand would have prominent placement in all cards possible. It is no wonder why armadillo thumb is still in my lexicon.
Who is the cool guy wearing a Miami Dolphins jacket behind Phil Bourque?
Adam Sandler.
How come the guy behind Pierre Turgeon looks exactly like me?
Some questions are too spooky to answer.
Why not at least one goalie to represent each team?
See previous answer regarding Cooper. Think waffle board blockers and gloves so simultaneously heavy, small, and ineffective that glove saves were mostly miraculous.
How come Kelly Hrudey's helmet couldn't be airbrushed? Why sneak him on a card with Kirk Muller in his NY gear? Again, choose another picture or airbrush him out (though I guess this was their way of getting an Islanders goalie in the set)!
This goes against my hypothesis about Cooper gear, but I think Topps had to give it up to Kelly Hrudey for being a fashion trendsetter than only Arturs Irbe could follow. Customized box Jofa helmet with Isles decals, 70's European jofa goalie cage, and a first generation throat protector that couldn't be produced in clear plastic. That is one sweet piece of bling considering it wouldn't stop a tennis ball from giving Hrudey a concussion.
The biggest question for me is...What is going on in Joe Sakic's mind? I mean, really? He is the only person in the set looking the camera dead-on with a look like he just doesn't care.
This is a seminal moment of Joe Sakic's search for his identity in the Show. "Am I a double numbers kind of guy? Gretz had 100 points by January of his rookie year and I'm stuck on 27...Maybe 88 just isn't made for silky smooth skaters with wristers that go bar down every time. Perhaps 19 is my kind of thing. Me and Stevie Y can rock it in the 90's. We can fight for it at Canada Cups and all-star games. Yeah, I'm going to do that."
<< <i>According to a post on the April Sub Special it looks like it will be $5.50/card. That is the lowest I can remember in a long time. Will you be sending more in? Thanks for the update. Love following along on this project. Good luck! >>
I've been swamped with schoolwork, but I am going to try to send about 50. If I had more time to go through them, I'd send about 200 at that rate.
I have been a PSA member since 2008 and this is my first post. I am also working on the same set and I just wanted to say thank you to Patrick in this public forum. He is sending me a Ray Bourque PSA 10 along with some raw singles I am looking forward to sending in on my next submission. A class act all the way around!!
<< <i>I have been a PSA member since 2008 and this is my first post. I am also working on the same set and I just wanted to say thank you to Patrick in this public forum. He is sending me a Ray Bourque PSA 10 along with some raw singles I am looking forward to sending in on my next submission. A class act all the way around!! >>
You're very welcome Bob. Happy to help and see someone else passionate about this set.
<< <i>What is the plan for all the extra cards when this project is complete?? >>
Good question.
I have limited space so I am trying to find something to do with them now, lol.
Looked into donating some of the raws, but I haven't found a place that will take them. Some guy on facebook said he would take them all, but that wasn't really what I was looking for, lol.
With exception to Gretzky, Lemieux, Leetch, and Sakic (which I keep in a binder for giggles) - I don't really want the other cards. I just want 10s for my set, so once I get a 10 I am happy helping others build whatever it is they are working on.
<< <i>It stinks that it is that way though (mega stars being graded tougher). Shouldn't all cards be evaluated the same, regardless of the player depicted? >>
I have found that if I put a Sakic in the sub all of the cards get hammered.
Personally, I think it's a card that PSA has flagged in their system. If they go soft on other cards in the same sub the owner could be pretty upset, "well, this checklist got a 10 and the Sakic got an 8 and looks better than the checklist" sort of scenario I envision would take place, so if this is their policy, I understand
I don't know about whether adding a Sakic will ruin your sub. I just had a small hockey sub pop and one of the cards was an 1989 Topps Sakic that came back a 9. The rest came out ok.
1 1 MINT 9 1989 Topps 113 Joe Sakic Card 2 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 30 Sergei Fedorov 3 1 GEM MINT 10 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 50 Jaromir Jagr 4 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 100 Jeremy Roenick 5 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Pinnacle 320 Niklas Lidstrom French 6 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Parkhurst 37 Nicklas Lidstrom (Niklas) 7 1 MINT 9 1995 Bowman's Best BB28 Valeri Bure Refractor 8 1 MINT 9 2013 Panini Titanium 96 Tyler Seguin 9 1 MINT 9 2014 Upper Deck 58 Tyler Seguin
<< <i>I don't know about whether adding a Sakic will ruin your sub. I just had a small hockey sub pop and one of the cards was an 1989 Topps Sakic that came back a 9. The rest came out ok.
1 1 MINT 9 1989 Topps 113 Joe Sakic Card 2 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 30 Sergei Fedorov 3 1 GEM MINT 10 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 50 Jaromir Jagr 4 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 100 Jeremy Roenick 5 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Pinnacle 320 Niklas Lidstrom French 6 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Parkhurst 37 Nicklas Lidstrom (Niklas) 7 1 MINT 9 1995 Bowman's Best BB28 Valeri Bure Refractor 8 1 MINT 9 2013 Panini Titanium 96 Tyler Seguin 9 1 MINT 9 2014 Upper Deck 58 Tyler Seguin >>
Great job on that sub! I only have one Sakic PSA 9 thus far
Little downtime today, thought I would rip a couple boxes from the reserves.
One box has some terrible printing problems. Looks like there were some issues that led to an employee having to reinsert the sheet. I don't know a lot about the printing process, so who knows, but this Sakic has an inked fingerprint on it.
Yes, I have a bunch from 89T BB with fingerprints and other weird print issues. It was a fun box to open, just to see what bizarre way they'd screwed up the cards in every pack.
Interesting. Any other Sakic's in the box? I've found that the same cards within a box will have similar/the same printing anomalies (fisheyes) and similar/the same cut.
Though I can't say I've ever pulled something like this.
"I think the guy must be practicing voodoo or something. Check out his eyes. Rico's crazier than a peach orchard sow." -- Whitey Herzog, Spring Training 1973
<< <i>Little downtime today, thought I would rip a couple boxes from the reserves.
One box has some terrible printing problems. Looks like there were some issues that led to an employee having to reinsert the sheet. I don't know a lot about the printing process, so who knows, but this Sakic has an inked fingerprint on it.
Anybody see something like this before?
>>
If you locate the criminal responsible, you can verify by running his prints now.
Both of these 89Topps examples are really cool looking. I have always been interested in learning more about the manufacturing process for the "older" cards (pre 1992). Are there any credible websites or other sources for pictures and/or descriptions of the old school factory/processes?
Conundrum - Loving my unopened baseball card collection....but really like ripping too
<< <i>Both of these 89Topps examples are really cool looking. I have always been interested in learning more about the manufacturing process for the "older" cards (pre 1992). Are there any credible websites or other sources for pictures and/or descriptions of the old school factory/processes? >>
There were some good insights to the manufacturing process in the 1990 Topps NNOF thread, but be warned it's a very long read: NNOF Thomas
<< <i>Both of these 89Topps examples are really cool looking. I have always been interested in learning more about the manufacturing process for the "older" cards (pre 1992). Are there any credible websites or other sources for pictures and/or descriptions of the old school factory/processes? >>
There were some good insights to the manufacturing process in the 1990 Topps NNOF thread, but be warned it's a very long read: NNOF Thomas >>
That NNOF thread is probably the best one on the CU Message Boards.
Knocked a few more 10s off the list. Here are the results from a recent sub. I will post pictures once the cards are in hand. Really happy about Lemelin because it's been a tough one for me to find in good shape, which is why I sent two in on this sub.
I only have four boxes left on reserve. Minus Sakic (and possibly Lemieux, Gretzky, Leetch) I think I can finish the set with what I have. It will just take time to sort and sub. In the near future I'll look to buy some cheap boxes here and there on eBay and see how they turn out. I don't see myself buying another full case unless it is sealed and from a trustworthy source.
NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card NEAR MINT 7 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 40 Rejean Lemelin Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 40 Rejean Lemelin Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 186 Brett Hull Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 7 Lanny McDonald Card GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 8 John Tonelli Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 140 Mike Ramsey Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 123 Steve Duchesne Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 76 Dale Hunter Card MINT 9 1989 Topps 155 Ron Hextall Card
<< <i>Sure, Tom Brady being suspended for 2 games isn't enough, but subbing two '89 Lemelin cards is OK!
Love it!!
~carry on. >>
Hi Dan,
Just noticed this is your second sarcastic comment.
Not really sure what I did to upset you?
While you may feel 1989 Topps Hockey is beneath you, there are actually people who subscribe to this thread and look forward to updates.
If you are not interested in this project (or discussing my results from hundreds of PSA submissions) please refrain from posting here.
Furthermore, while you may have an issue with what I collect (or me, or both), I have never called you names and have never made fun of your collection here, or elsewhere.
Comments
Hoping to get your expert opinion on this tip of 1989 Topps. It was fun as Yzerman was my favorite player growing up. I swear, I saw some commons 15 times throughout the box....too bad it wasn't gretzky or sakic. All looks o/c to me.
Corners look rough on Leetch straight from the pack. I've been have a really tough time finding a Leetch I feel has a decent shot at a 10. The best looking ones seem to be close to the wrapper which leaves either wax and/or corner damage.
I think the best shot at a 10, based on those pictures, is the Lemieux sticker....Not sure what they sell for but I'd guess about 15 to $20?
If you want to put a set together, just PM the one you need and I'll send them your way...I literally have over 20,000 in monster boxes, lol. Thanks for sharing Davis!
I hope you haven't given up the dream yet. This is a great idea, I have been thinking about doing something similar with my favorite baseball card set, 1987 Topps. I wish I could afford to do this with the 87-88 Topps hockey set as it is one of my all-time favorites.
Best of luck to you.
Jonathan
<< <i>Hey Mullins5,
I hope you haven't given up the dream yet. This is a great idea, I have been thinking about doing something similar with my favorite baseball card set, 1987 Topps. I wish I could afford to do this with the 87-88 Topps hockey set as it is one of my all-time favorites.
Best of luck to you.
Jonathan >>
Thanks Jonathan. 1987 had a couple great looking sets for baseball and hockey! I'm with you, at nearly $300/box for hockey it's tough to do. I wonder how tough the baseball set would be? There are four times as many cards as are in this '89 Topps Hockey set, but I don't know how condition sensitive they are....
And I haven't given up! I don't think I ever will. It's been a blast ripping wax....I think the only thing that'll stop me is if the prices of '89 Topps gets out of hand....but I don' t think it will
Starting to get better at finding 10s
Most of the 9s are pretty darn near perfect, so I'm looking forward to comparing them in person to the 10s to see what PSA knocked them down for.
Will scan when in-hand.
Set at 12/198 thus far!
Thanks EagleEye for letting me jump in on your sub!
MINT 9 1989 Topps 137 Greg Millen Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 37 John Tucker Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 35 Randy Wood Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 110 Ray Bourque Card Really happy about this card. Haven't had too much luck pulling nice Bourques.
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 93 Scott Stevens Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 181 Brent Ashton Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 174 Chris Chelios Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 163 Mike Vernon Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 72 Tim Kerr Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 195 Pete Peeters Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198 Card Really Happy with the Checklist. These have been tough due to staining and centering. POP 1
MINT 9 1989 Topps 39 David Shaw Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 77 Jim Johnson Card
NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 108 Gary Suter Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 172 Gerard Gallant Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 73 Bob Joyce Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 48 Jon Casey Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 14 Brent Sutter Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 128 Larry Murphy Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 118 Mats Naslund Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 18 Dale DeGray Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 76 Dale Hunter Card
NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 169 Derek Laxdal Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 147 Brendan Shanahan Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 178 Greg Adams Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 117 Kirk Muller Card
NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 117 Kirk Muller Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 94 Pat Elynuik Card
Billy Ripken
Cal Ripken, Jr. 1980-2002
Cal Ripken, Sr.
Hall of Fame Rookies
<< <i>Outstanding Patrick! >>
Thanks!
I updated the registry set and added high-quality images. If anyone cares to check them out, they're in the link down at my sig line.
Patrick
Congrats on your latest sub. Lot of 10's and it looks like the rest of your sub was all 9's with an 8. Your eye is definitely getting sharper as I recall some earlier subs with grades all over the place. Good luck on the subs you have out and your future subs. Rooting for you to complete this. Are you going to make a set with all your PSA 9's?
<< <i>Patrick,
Congrats on your latest sub. Lot of 10's and it looks like the rest of your sub was all 9's with an 8. Your eye is definitely getting sharper as I recall some earlier subs with grades all over the place. Good luck on the subs you have out and your future subs. Rooting for you to complete this. Are you going to make a set with all your PSA 9's? >>
Thank you Steve.
That first sub was a learning experience. I've been able to use those cards for the mint set I'm building, so to answer your question, I am building a second one too.
Here's some more poppage
MINT 9 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198
MINT 9 1989 Topps 198 Checklist 100-198
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 197 Checklist 1-99 This finishes the checklists for me and his a huge relief. Out of about 70 boxes I've opened nearly all of the checklists fall in the PSA 8/9 range.
MINT 9 1989 Topps 170 Clint Malarchuk
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 138 Joe Nieuwendyk
MINT 9 1989 Topps 153 Stephane Richer
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 110 Ray Bourque This is my second PSA 10 Bourque.
Getting 10s back makes it so much easier to sift through raw cards since I can eliminate these players. I'll still hold onto any raw potential 9/10s in case anyone needs them for building a future PSA set.
Nathanael
I've been incredibly busy since January with school. I'm halfway through the program and had a little spare time the past couple days to catch a breath, so I FINALLY sorted through and organized the 89s.
I really wish I had done this from the start, but I was so excited to rip open the boxes that I didn't put time into GOOD system of organization.
I've always made four piles when I open a box. One pile for the stickers, another for the stained cards, another for ones that will not make the cut, and the last for ones that are centered and appear to be gradeable. These nicer ones are put on a shelf in my closet and I now have them organized by team, so that at anytime I can go through them when it's time to make a submission and send the nicest card of each player I have.
Stained cards are not allowed to go to my son. His mother says it makes too much of a mess and he slips on them. I sneak him a handful here and there when she's not looking. They are kept in a monster box that's about halfway full now. The other cards are in three monster boxes. Monster boxes hold approximately 5,000 cards!
The cardsaver boxes have cards in them, too.
Honestly, I think I think I can get most of this PSA 10 set done with what I have already pulled.
Raw Sakic, Lemieux, Gretzky, Leetch go in binders. I have almost 200 Sakics! Here are some pictures before I get back to schoolwork!
56 Subbed.
PSA 10 = 15
PSA 9 = 29
PSA 8.5 = 1
PSA 8 = 10
PSA 7 = 1
Wow, no 7.5 and only one 8.5!
<< <i>Wow, no 7.5 and only one 8.5! >>
That's the only .5 out of approximately 160 cards. . . .
What are some of the question you have started muttering to yourself as you sort?
-Nathanael
<< <i>That is an insane amount of 1989 Topps hockey. I would bet you are sick of some of the over airbrushed cards. Why would Walt Poddubny need his helmet airbrushed? Surely there were better photos of Bernie Federko, Adam Oates, and Cliff Ronning available. Why was New Jersey the only place photos were taken after a decade of Washington pictures??? All these question pop into my head without even looking at the cards.
What are some of the question you have started muttering to yourself as you sort?
-Nathanael >>
Hah! Goodness you nailed it on the airbrushing, closeups, and NJ.
Why paint the background on Gilmour? Who is that sitting next to him?
Why is that fan wearing sunglasses on Jim Johnson? Is he the unibomber?
Are those brothers behind Rick Tocchet?
Why are backgrounds of the text on Dirk Graham and Wayne Presley yellow, while all the other Blackhawks orange?
Why not airbrush the blocker out of Randy Hillier's card?
Who is the cool guy wearing a Miami Dolphins jacket behind Phil Bourque?
How come the guy behind Pierre Turgeon looks exactly like me?
Why not at least one goalie to represent each team?
How come Kelly Hrudey's helmet couldn't be airbrushed? Why sneak him on a card with Kirk Muller in his NY gear? Again, choose another picture or airbrush him out (though I guess this was their way of getting an Islanders goalie in the set)!
The biggest question for me is...What is going on in Joe Sakic's mind? I mean, really? He is the only person in the set looking the camera dead-on with a look like he just doesn't care.
The little known Doug Broten, the last of the Broten brothers to make it to the NHL.
Why is that fan wearing sunglasses on Jim Johnson?
The sunglasses were necessary to shield his eyes from the glare of Ken Daneyko's tooth. Is he the unibomber? No hoodie so not a chance.
Are those brothers behind Rick Tocchet?
Pre-rookie cards of the Ferraro brothers.
Why are backgrounds of the text on Dirk Graham and Wayne Presley yellow, while all the other Blackhawks orange?
Yellow brings out the luster in the Sher-Wood P.M.P feather-lite 5030 wood grain sticks better than orange.
Why not airbrush the blocker out of Randy Hillier's card?
Cooper had a secret deal with a Topps employee that ensured their brand would have prominent placement in all cards possible. It is no wonder why armadillo thumb is still in my lexicon.
Who is the cool guy wearing a Miami Dolphins jacket behind Phil Bourque?
Adam Sandler.
How come the guy behind Pierre Turgeon looks exactly like me?
Some questions are too spooky to answer.
Why not at least one goalie to represent each team?
See previous answer regarding Cooper. Think waffle board blockers and gloves so simultaneously heavy, small, and ineffective that glove saves were mostly miraculous.
How come Kelly Hrudey's helmet couldn't be airbrushed? Why sneak him on a card with Kirk Muller in his NY gear? Again, choose another picture or airbrush him out (though I guess this was their way of getting an Islanders goalie in the set)!
This goes against my hypothesis about Cooper gear, but I think Topps had to give it up to Kelly Hrudey for being a fashion trendsetter than only Arturs Irbe could follow. Customized box Jofa helmet with Isles decals, 70's European jofa goalie cage, and a first generation throat protector that couldn't be produced in clear plastic. That is one sweet piece of bling considering it wouldn't stop a tennis ball from giving Hrudey a concussion.
The biggest question for me is...What is going on in Joe Sakic's mind? I mean, really? He is the only person in the set looking the camera dead-on with a look like he just doesn't care.
This is a seminal moment of Joe Sakic's search for his identity in the Show. "Am I a double numbers kind of guy? Gretz had 100 points by January of his rookie year and I'm stuck on 27...Maybe 88 just isn't made for silky smooth skaters with wristers that go bar down every time. Perhaps 19 is my kind of thing. Me and Stevie Y can rock it in the 90's. We can fight for it at Canada Cups and all-star games. Yeah, I'm going to do that."
<< <i>According to a post on the April Sub Special it looks like it will be $5.50/card. That is the lowest I can remember in a long time. Will you be sending more in? Thanks for the update. Love following along on this project. Good luck! >>
I've been swamped with schoolwork, but I am going to try to send about 50. If I had more time to go through them, I'd send about 200 at that rate.
Hilarious Nathanael!
Thanks guys!
<< <i>I have been a PSA member since 2008 and this is my first post. I am also working on the same set and I just wanted to say thank you to Patrick in this public forum. He is sending me a Ray Bourque PSA 10 along with some raw singles I am looking forward to sending in on my next submission. A class act all the way around!! >>
You're very welcome Bob. Happy to help and see someone else passionate about this set.
And welcome to the board!
Really scratching my head on the 9s. Felt one Lemieux and one Gretzky were surefire 10s. I'll take a look at them better in person.
65 Subbed.
PSA 10 = 15
PSA 9 = 33
PSA 8.5 = 3
PSA 8 = 13
PSA 7 = 1
<< <i>Mega stars seem to be graded tougher in my opinion. >>
No doubt! Only one PSA 9 Sakic out of 29 subbed...and it's an ugly 9
<< <i>What is the plan for all the extra cards when this project is complete?? >>
Good question.
I have limited space so I am trying to find something to do with them now, lol.
Looked into donating some of the raws, but I haven't found a place that will take them. Some guy on facebook said he would take them all, but that wasn't really what I was looking for, lol.
With exception to Gretzky, Lemieux, Leetch, and Sakic (which I keep in a binder for giggles) - I don't really want the other cards. I just want 10s for my set, so once I get a 10 I am happy helping others build whatever it is they are working on.
<< <i>It stinks that it is that way though (mega stars being graded tougher). Shouldn't all cards be evaluated the same, regardless of the player depicted? >>
I have found that if I put a Sakic in the sub all of the cards get hammered.
Personally, I think it's a card that PSA has flagged in their system. If they go soft on other cards in the same sub the owner could be pretty upset, "well, this checklist got a 10 and the Sakic got an 8 and looks better than the checklist" sort of scenario I envision would take place, so if this is their policy, I understand
1 1 MINT 9 1989 Topps 113 Joe Sakic Card
2 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 30 Sergei Fedorov
3 1 GEM MINT 10 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 50 Jaromir Jagr
4 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 100 Jeremy Roenick
5 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Pinnacle 320 Niklas Lidstrom French
6 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Parkhurst 37 Nicklas Lidstrom (Niklas)
7 1 MINT 9 1995 Bowman's Best BB28 Valeri Bure Refractor
8 1 MINT 9 2013 Panini Titanium 96 Tyler Seguin
9 1 MINT 9 2014 Upper Deck 58 Tyler Seguin
<< <i>I don't know about whether adding a Sakic will ruin your sub. I just had a small hockey sub pop and one of the cards was an 1989 Topps Sakic that came back a 9. The rest came out ok.
1 1 MINT 9 1989 Topps 113 Joe Sakic Card
2 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 30 Sergei Fedorov
3 1 GEM MINT 10 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 50 Jaromir Jagr
4 1 MINT 9 1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier 100 Jeremy Roenick
5 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Pinnacle 320 Niklas Lidstrom French
6 1 GEM MINT 10 1991 Parkhurst 37 Nicklas Lidstrom (Niklas)
7 1 MINT 9 1995 Bowman's Best BB28 Valeri Bure Refractor
8 1 MINT 9 2013 Panini Titanium 96 Tyler Seguin
9 1 MINT 9 2014 Upper Deck 58 Tyler Seguin >>
Great job on that sub! I only have one Sakic PSA 9 thus far
One box has some terrible printing problems. Looks like there were some issues that led to an employee having to reinsert the sheet. I don't know a lot about the printing process, so who knows, but this Sakic has an inked fingerprint on it.
Anybody see something like this before?
<< <i>Anybody see something like this before? >>
Yes, I have a bunch from 89T BB with fingerprints and other weird print issues. It was a fun box to open, just to see what bizarre way they'd screwed up the cards in every pack.
Though I can't say I've ever pulled something like this.
<< <i>Little downtime today, thought I would rip a couple boxes from the reserves.
One box has some terrible printing problems. Looks like there were some issues that led to an employee having to reinsert the sheet. I don't know a lot about the printing process, so who knows, but this Sakic has an inked fingerprint on it.
Anybody see something like this before?
If you locate the criminal responsible, you can verify by running his prints now.
<< <i>Both of these 89Topps examples are really cool looking. I have always been interested in learning more about the manufacturing process for the "older" cards (pre 1992). Are there any credible websites or other sources for pictures and/or descriptions of the old school factory/processes? >>
There were some good insights to the manufacturing process in the 1990 Topps NNOF thread, but be warned it's a very long read: NNOF Thomas
<< <i>
<< <i>Both of these 89Topps examples are really cool looking. I have always been interested in learning more about the manufacturing process for the "older" cards (pre 1992). Are there any credible websites or other sources for pictures and/or descriptions of the old school factory/processes? >>
There were some good insights to the manufacturing process in the 1990 Topps NNOF thread, but be warned it's a very long read: NNOF Thomas >>
That NNOF thread is probably the best one on the CU Message Boards.
I only have four boxes left on reserve. Minus Sakic (and possibly Lemieux, Gretzky, Leetch) I think I can finish the set with what I have. It will just take time to sort and sub. In the near future I'll look to buy some cheap boxes here and there on eBay and see how they turn out. I don't see myself buying another full case unless it is sealed and from a trustworthy source.
NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card
NEAR MINT 7 1989 Topps 156 Wayne Gretzky Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 40 Rejean Lemelin Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 40 Rejean Lemelin Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 186 Brett Hull Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 7 Lanny McDonald Card
GEM MINT 10 1989 Topps 8 John Tonelli Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 140 Mike Ramsey Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 123 Steve Duchesne Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 76 Dale Hunter Card
MINT 9 1989 Topps 155 Ron Hextall Card
Love it!!
~carry on.
<< <i>Sure, Tom Brady being suspended for 2 games isn't enough, but subbing two '89 Lemelin cards is OK!
Love it!!
~carry on. >>
Hi Dan,
Just noticed this is your second sarcastic comment.
Not really sure what I did to upset you?
While you may feel 1989 Topps Hockey is beneath you, there are actually people who subscribe to this thread and look forward to updates.
If you are not interested in this project (or discussing my results from hundreds of PSA submissions) please refrain from posting here.
Furthermore, while you may have an issue with what I collect (or me, or both), I have never called you names and have never made fun of your collection here, or elsewhere.
Thanks!
Patrick
Pulled this Sakic recently. One of the nicest I've managed to pull, but I think it'll get an 8 or 9.