Ripped a '73 BB Wax Box !!!--Corrected Pictures
flatfoot816
Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
As usual Tim was spot on---Paul Maul too.
I had 2 1973 Topps BB wax boxes and sent both to Steve. The bad one--was the one that has "collect them, trade them, flip them" on the side panel. This was presumably a single series box--1st as written on the inside lid. It has 4 different wax packs--pitcher-catcher-batter-and manager/umpire.
The other box is the All Series box--that has " All 660 cards now available in one series"
I have included pictures of the good All Series box at the end of this 1st entry--sorry for the confusion
I have deleted the prior pictures--so the bad box is the one now shown along with the correct packs
**************************************************************************************
Unfortunately, like the rack last month this wax box was completely resealed. I knew it before I ripped it.
I bought this box--which was supposed to be a 1st series box--from one of the big AHs many years ago. Maybe upwards of 10. It sat like most of my stuff in "raw" fashion since that time. I recently sent all I had to Steve to authenticate. This was the only box that came back NG. I thought that I would post some pictures and tell tale signs to warn and help others. Once Steve said it was completely resealed I was not going to put it back into the hobby.
I cannot recall the exact AH--so I will not guess since I bought from pretty much all of them over the years. I paid $1,930 for this one and remember posting the purchase here on the boards when it was asked who got what from the auction.
As you will see there were very tell tale signs that every pack was no good. I am sure that I inspected the box--but obviously my expertise at the time ain't what it is now. AndI trusted the AH--what a fool.
Though I missed all the obvious signs of tampering--such as--literally drops of glue you could see thru the flap, glue dripping over the seal, rips in the wax flap itself--there is NO WAY that any reputable AH should have missed them. I mean when you see the PICTURES you will know what I mean. They had to have inspected it numerous times and simply elected to sell a bad box. There is no way that the AH experts could have not known this was a bad box.
So as we know it's best to buy BBCE authenticated boxes. But not all boxes are. So look for these tell tale signs of a bad box. BTW--most of the folds of the corners were pretty darn good. So whoever opened the packs and resealed them did a good job not to disturb the folds--though after I looked at them with a loop--you could see evidence of prior opening.
Who knew? The AH that sold it--that's who
Corner folds look ok
See the glue on the bottom right corner? Even began to turn brown with age--
More glue seen on the bottom let flap. All of the packs had 2 glue drops both in the left and right corners
Note the absence of any type of Topps typical roller seal. This was all glue--not to mention that the wax itself is RIPPED!!! Come on AH experts !!!
again no typical roller seal--and you can see the glue
Here are the cards--everyone was miscut--everyone. i assume someone opened many vending boxes and replaced these cards with the bad cards. i bet it happened many years ago when the vending was readily available
I did get a couple of stars though
Well you win some and you lose some. Hope this helps you all win more than you lose on unauthenticated--BBCE that is--wax boxes
*******************************************************************************
The REAL All Series Box
All Series Packs
The real deal
I had 2 1973 Topps BB wax boxes and sent both to Steve. The bad one--was the one that has "collect them, trade them, flip them" on the side panel. This was presumably a single series box--1st as written on the inside lid. It has 4 different wax packs--pitcher-catcher-batter-and manager/umpire.
The other box is the All Series box--that has " All 660 cards now available in one series"
I have included pictures of the good All Series box at the end of this 1st entry--sorry for the confusion
I have deleted the prior pictures--so the bad box is the one now shown along with the correct packs
**************************************************************************************
Unfortunately, like the rack last month this wax box was completely resealed. I knew it before I ripped it.
I bought this box--which was supposed to be a 1st series box--from one of the big AHs many years ago. Maybe upwards of 10. It sat like most of my stuff in "raw" fashion since that time. I recently sent all I had to Steve to authenticate. This was the only box that came back NG. I thought that I would post some pictures and tell tale signs to warn and help others. Once Steve said it was completely resealed I was not going to put it back into the hobby.
I cannot recall the exact AH--so I will not guess since I bought from pretty much all of them over the years. I paid $1,930 for this one and remember posting the purchase here on the boards when it was asked who got what from the auction.
As you will see there were very tell tale signs that every pack was no good. I am sure that I inspected the box--but obviously my expertise at the time ain't what it is now. AndI trusted the AH--what a fool.
Though I missed all the obvious signs of tampering--such as--literally drops of glue you could see thru the flap, glue dripping over the seal, rips in the wax flap itself--there is NO WAY that any reputable AH should have missed them. I mean when you see the PICTURES you will know what I mean. They had to have inspected it numerous times and simply elected to sell a bad box. There is no way that the AH experts could have not known this was a bad box.
So as we know it's best to buy BBCE authenticated boxes. But not all boxes are. So look for these tell tale signs of a bad box. BTW--most of the folds of the corners were pretty darn good. So whoever opened the packs and resealed them did a good job not to disturb the folds--though after I looked at them with a loop--you could see evidence of prior opening.
Who knew? The AH that sold it--that's who
Corner folds look ok
See the glue on the bottom right corner? Even began to turn brown with age--
More glue seen on the bottom let flap. All of the packs had 2 glue drops both in the left and right corners
Note the absence of any type of Topps typical roller seal. This was all glue--not to mention that the wax itself is RIPPED!!! Come on AH experts !!!
again no typical roller seal--and you can see the glue
Here are the cards--everyone was miscut--everyone. i assume someone opened many vending boxes and replaced these cards with the bad cards. i bet it happened many years ago when the vending was readily available
I did get a couple of stars though
Well you win some and you lose some. Hope this helps you all win more than you lose on unauthenticated--BBCE that is--wax boxes
*******************************************************************************
The REAL All Series Box
All Series Packs
The real deal
0
Comments
I'm sorry to hear about the bum box, Manny, but thank you for sharing the results~the glue on back is a pretty blatant and egregious sign.
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.
Those are tough to find.
Are you going to buy a replacement
1973 box ?
I think I remember a December 2004 mastronet having a box like this for $8k
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Too bad on the all series box. Too bad on the all series box.
Correct my error--I meant to say all series. I got mixed up because of ANOTHER TELL TALE SIGN OF A BAD BOX
The inside white sticker on the flap says it is a 1st series box--
<< <i>Too bad on the all series box. Too bad on the all series box.
Correct my error--I meant to say all series. I got mixed up because of ANOTHER TELL TALE SIGN OF A BAD BOX
The inside white sticker on the flap says it is a 1st series box--
Ah, that makes more sense now~agreed that is another tell tale sign of a bad box.
No way this box was 8K back in 2004, though, Jason.
ETA: The gum is correct in these packs, so it appears the cards were switched out, rather than the entire box being fabricated.
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>No way this box was 8K back in 2004, though, Jason. >>
Tim .. that sounded high to me as well. However, check out the below PSA article from January 2004
Look below the PSA "10" Reggie Rookie where they talk about the December 2003 Lelands Auction.
Look at the 11th(?) paragraph down beginning with "Unopened pack highlights" and you will see a 1973 Topps Baseball Wax Box (All Series) sold for $8,238.00.
PSA Article
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>
<< <i>No way this box was 8K back in 2004, though, Jason. >>
Tim .. that sounded high to me as well. However, check out the below PSA article from January 2004
Look below the PSA "10" Reggie Rookie where they talk about the December 2003 Lelands Auction.
Look at the 11th(?) paragraph down beginning with "Unopened pack highlights" and you will see a 1973 Topps Baseball Wax Box (All Series) sold for $8,238.00.
PSA Article >>
That is pretty amazing, the scarcity of the all series packs notwithstanding, especially since Manny paid so much less for his box~but with AHs, I guess you never know, lol..
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>Jason ... were you rucnok on the ebay Wax Group years ago? >>
this is my first group or forum.
Didnt realize there was a gathering like this on the web before
Edit: my mistake, I thought all the "all 660 cards in one series" boxes had the bonus team checklist tab. I guess only some did.
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.
(One says "all 660" and the other "collect 'em...")
<< <i>Yes, both wrappers and boxes were unique to all series packs. >>
So that Huggins/Scott box is fake too?
<< <i>
<< <i>Yes, both wrappers and boxes were unique to all series packs. >>
So that Huggins/Scott box is fake too? >>
I would not make that determination simply based on that. It's possible Topps used an older box from that same year, which they were known to do, or someone replaced the original box with one in better condition, not realizing it is not the correct one. But as an unopened collector, I would personally want the packs to match the correct box version.
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.
Sorry about this,
uhhh no---we do't want anyone else to get burned--so they'll make up part of my bar area
First, I am sorry to hear about the junk box you were sold.
Second, the fact that you decided to open the box to get the "junk" off the market, shows what kind of person/collector you are- kudos to you, sir.
Third, the fact some person is asking for you to sell him the empty box (may be legit because of empty box collectors, even wanting a few wrappers sound legit, but the fact you are not selling these), is one more positive toward Manny and his involvement in the hobby.
Again, sorry to hear about the junk box, but, Manny, you are a stand up guy looking to help further this hobby. Nice job.
Tyler
dty
Unopened Boxes, Packs, Cards, and Tickets
Just send me a PM or email me for discount off eBay pricing. Thanks
Unopened Boxes, Packs, Cards, and Tickets
Just send me a PM or email me for discount off eBay pricing. Thanks
uhhh no---we do't want anyone else to get burned--so they'll make up part of my bar area "