For some reason the cards that year were only sold regionally. So if you lived in the midwest you would not be able to purchase the Jabbar card (west) from the stores. To top it off you cannot tell which boxes come from which region until you open a pack. Go figure. Below is a little bit more info. that I got from PSA insider.
In their last 1980s hardcourt effort, Topps created 66 cards (#1 to #66) that were available in wax packs across the nation, but they also unveiled three separate, 44-card regional subsets (East, West and Mid-West). Cards from each of these subsets were only available in packs in their respective region.
Treated as a continuation of the national series (#1 to #66), the regional cards were numbered from #67 to #110, but the card numbers were prefaced by the region. For example, someone opening packs in New York would have discovered a combination of national cards (#1 to #66) and "East" cards. (The "East" cards were numbered EAST 67 to EAST 110.)
"I didn't know there were regional sets at the time," said Bill Potter, who owns the No. 2 Current Finest, 1981 Topps Basketball set on the PSA Set Registry. "I lived in Michigan and I was only able to buy Mid-West packs."
Creating regional subsets was an interesting strategy by Topps, but it must have been frustrating for collectors when they realized that they had no chance of pulling cards of stars that didn't compete in their area. For example, West Coast collectors had no hope of finding a Kevin McHale rookie (EAST 75) in their packs, while hobbyists in the East couldn't pluck a Magic Johnson Super Action single (WEST 109) from theirs.
Compounding the confusion was that the pack design was the same for each region. Even today, collectors purchasing unopened boxes can't tell what region the cards are from until they open a pack and examine the card numbers.
JasonM32, that is a nice looking card. I still need that one. How far along are you with the Jabbar collection? Thanks for sharing and continue to post any new additions.
<< <i>JasonM32, that is a nice looking card. I still need that one. How far along are you with the Jabbar collection? Thanks for sharing and continue to post any new additions. >>
Thanks,
I have a Basic Set that I'm working on but I'm not too far along. I have the 1980 Topps base card, the 1981 Topps and the 1988 Fleer in PSA 10. I have a really nice raw 1986 Fleer that I'm going to send in to PSA for grading. I'm hoping for a 9 on that one but who knows once the grader from hell gets his hands on it. lol.
I'm not building a Master Set yet but I do try to pick up any nice PSA graded cards from his Lakers years. I have quite a few cards like the 1981 Topps (Super Action) and (Team Leader) that would go into a Master Set. Not sure if I will eventually buy his Milwaukee cards but I probably will. I'm taking it slow.
I have not updated in a while so here is my latest addition. Funny thing about this card is it the least valuable card I have purchased so far but was absolutely thrilled when I got it in my hand. This PSA 9 looks better than a lot of PSA 10's I looked at. This is the best centered one I have found including the 10's I looked at. Could not believe I landed this for under 8 bucks.
Comments
Here's a favorite of mine from my collection. 1981 Topps (Super Action) West #106.
Bernie Kosar collector
In their last 1980s hardcourt effort, Topps created 66 cards (#1 to #66) that were available in wax packs across the nation, but they also unveiled three separate, 44-card regional subsets (East, West and Mid-West). Cards from each of these subsets were only available in packs in their respective region.
Treated as a continuation of the national series (#1 to #66), the regional cards were numbered from #67 to #110, but the card numbers were prefaced by the region. For example, someone opening packs in New York would have discovered a combination of national cards (#1 to #66) and "East" cards. (The "East" cards were numbered EAST 67 to EAST 110.)
"I didn't know there were regional sets at the time," said Bill Potter, who owns the No. 2 Current Finest, 1981 Topps Basketball set on the PSA Set Registry. "I lived in Michigan and I was only able to buy Mid-West packs."
Creating regional subsets was an interesting strategy by Topps, but it must have been frustrating for collectors when they realized that they had no chance of pulling cards of stars that didn't compete in their area. For example, West Coast collectors had no hope of finding a Kevin McHale rookie (EAST 75) in their packs, while hobbyists in the East couldn't pluck a Magic Johnson Super Action single (WEST 109) from theirs.
Compounding the confusion was that the pack design was the same for each region. Even today, collectors purchasing unopened boxes can't tell what region the cards are from until they open a pack and examine the card numbers.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
<< <i>JasonM32, that is a nice looking card. I still need that one. How far along are you with the Jabbar collection? Thanks for sharing and continue to post any new additions. >>
Thanks,
I have a Basic Set that I'm working on but I'm not too far along. I have the 1980 Topps base card, the 1981 Topps and the 1988 Fleer in PSA 10. I have a really nice raw 1986 Fleer that I'm going to send in to PSA for grading. I'm hoping for a 9 on that one but who knows once the grader from hell gets his hands on it. lol.
I'm not building a Master Set yet but I do try to pick up any nice PSA graded cards from his Lakers years. I have quite a few cards like the 1981 Topps (Super Action) and (Team Leader) that would go into a Master Set. Not sure if I will eventually buy his Milwaukee cards but I probably will. I'm taking it slow.
Bernie Kosar collector
I agree. That 7 has nice centering for a '69 Topps and presents very well for the grade. I would gladly take that example and save 6 figures.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
-George F. Will
Thanks,
David (LD_Ferg)
1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06