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To open or not to open...I ripped and scanned #1.

jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I just found the1989 Upper Deck Factory Sealed set from my childhood collection. Should I bust it open or leave it sealed? I would love to have a Gem Mint Griffey in my collection.

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Comments

  • NJ80sBBCNJ80sBBC Posts: 748 ✭✭✭✭
    I found mine a couple months back and left it sealed. My argument was that it was unlikely that the Card #1 survived its journey from 89-15 in pristine condition. I'm principally an unopened collector so I am ok with it as is. When one of the kids gets old enough to get into BBC then I will probably let them open the set and put it into binder pages.

    But if you can count on the set having been handled with relative care theouought the years then I would rip it.
    Conundrum - Loving my unopened baseball card collection....but really like ripping too
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The correct answer to that quest is always 'open' image It's a lot cheaper to bust factory sets looking for a gem Griffey than 89 UD low boxes, and this way you're guaranteed to get a Griffey.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Man...I've got the same question. My dad had bought a case of wax and a case of sets back when they came out. We ripped through all of the wax, and sold most of the sets way back when. But a few months back while digging through stuff in their attic, I found 3 of them. I grabbed one for myself and have been stewing on whether to rip or not. I've done pretty well busting sets, but also been bitten more than a few times.

    I'll be interested to see what you do, and may follow suit. I've got one spot left on a sub I'm putting together...and boy would it be nice to add a possible Griffey 10.
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    How are the cards packaged in this set: Are they lose or wrapped in cellophane?

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    ...and if I may...if anyone knows...

    Do they brick up? And is Card #1 always on the end?
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • graygatorgraygator Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I opened one last year. Cards are in order but there is a Styrofoam insert on the end if I recall correctly, so the Griffey isn't right up against the end of the box. I didn't have any trouble with them sticking together. My Griffey graded a 10.
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    Alright, Jim, I am game if you are...I have some other cards to sub, so this one will be fun to see how card #1 is centered and how it has stood the test of time.

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    Double post.

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • begsu1013begsu1013 Posts: 1,943 ✭✭


    << <i>...and if I may...if anyone knows...

    Do they brick up? And is Card #1 always on the end? >>



    the short answer, yes. I had 2 sets in the childhood collection. my hand collated set is/was bricked up. of course, it was in a attic for ump-teen years. the other factory sealed set and have decided to leave it as is because of this.

    long answer, maybe? I assume it would depend on the storage tempatures throughout the years.
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Aaaaah man. OK. Twist my arm. Mine's sorta accessible. When I get home tonite I'll dig it out. I'll rip if you do.
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • BeRoyalKCBeRoyalKC Posts: 413 ✭✭
    Well if you open it regardless of condition you can say it is "pack fresh". Of course that only counts for the first 24 hours it has been released. Then at that point it becomes high end.
    #CROWNED

    2015 World Series Champions
    2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
    #FIREDAYTONMOORE
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    Ok, Jim... I ripped it. The bad news is the card is OC, but it was sharp. So, it withstood the test of time. Still glad I ripped, as it is fun to pull an iconic card. I decided to scan it, along with a 1983. Topps traded Strawberry that I pulled recently from a set. This card is sharp and has better centering. All of the snow is from the scan. I forgot to dust the scanner when I cleaned this week.

    image

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>  I forgot to dust the scanner when I cleaned this week >>



    You're fired!

    Love the Strawberry.

    1994 Pro Line Live

    TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject

  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Bummer on the Griffey. Real nice Straw though.

    Not sure how much longer I can keep working now. I'm itching bad to get home and see what's inside.

    Hopefully I'll have my result around 3:30-4:00 PST. One more meeting and I think I'm ready to roll.

    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The correct answer to that quest is always 'open' image It's a lot cheaper to bust factory sets looking for a gem Griffey than 89 UD low boxes, and this way you're guaranteed to get a Griffey. >>



    I agree with Kyle. If you are in search of a Gem Griffey your most cost effective way of ripping would be via factory sets. They will yield on average one Junior/set whereas a low or high number box will yield less than one per box. Add that factory sets are cheaper and you have even better value/odds. I have not heard if factory sets or unopened yield better condition cards but that would be another factor to consider. I believe I saw a post recently where someone showed their graded Griffey from a factory set. I don't remember if it was a 9 or 10 but I think it was Gem.
    Steve
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Hah, my first post took forever to hit the thread. I replied before you decided to ripimage Anyway, glad it was fun. Too bad it is OC, but it is nice to see that the card stayed sharp on the edges and corners. Good luck to Jim now. I wish I had a set to rip. I may have to buy one now.
    Steve
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    I would still sub that Griffey.... and that sexy Straw card!
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Took my meeting from the road...LOL...I might have a problem.

    Found the box quickly. It was a little more banged up that I expected. Card #100 was at the one end of the box and worked back to 1 before going to 200, 199....with 701 being at the other end of the box. We're the original case owner, and the seal was intact, so I'm not concerned with tampering....just found it odd.

    Card was pretty nice. Don't think it'll 10 but it's going in anyway. Had a scanner bugaboo when changing pressure on the black background, but you get the picture.

    image

    Fun game JMac. Thanks for playing.

    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Well Jim, looks like between the two of you that you win the centering contest. I'm not sure what the TB tolerance is for this card for a 10 but if it has nice corners and edges then it should have a great shot at a 9 at least. Congrats on a nice pull. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Strawberry looks great John, good luck to both of you when submitting.
    Steve
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    I agree. Good shot at 9 I think.

    I don't know if they measure bottom border from edge to diamond or edge to bottom of name.

    Seems this is one of those cards where 3 equidistant sides (L/R/T) is the winner.
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    Jim...you definitely win!! Looks like at least a 9. Nice pull. Thanks for playing, too.

    Jmaciu's Collection
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    Seems this is one of those cards where 3 equidistant sides (L/R/T) is the winner. >>



    This is what I was thinking. Thanks to you and John for an enjoyable Wed afternoon thread.
    Steve
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Here are a few of the others. Randy looks pretty solid, a little wonky. Smoltz not so much. I always liked Ramon and stocked up on he and Sheffield back in the day. Also Jefferies and I'm embarrassed to admit, Felix Jose. Add in guys like Bichette and David West....so much speculation.

    image
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • milbrocomilbroco Posts: 2,743 ✭✭✭✭
    How is the hologram on the reverse? I have seen many with a portion missing. Does this affect the PSA grade with it is partially missing?
    Thanks,
    Robert
    ebay seller name milbroco
    email bcmiller7@comcast.net
  • bouncebounce Posts: 1,094 ✭✭✭


    << <i>How is the hologram on the reverse? I have seen many with a portion missing. Does this affect the PSA grade with it is partially missing?
    Thanks,
    Robert >>



    it probably should, but I don't think the hologram matters to them. I have a PSA 10 Griffey that has part of the hologram missing.

    maybe that makes sense from a "surface" perspective not treating the hologram differently, then again I could probably argue the other side of it.

    interested to hear what other people have seen, does your Gem Griffey have a Gem hologram?
  • begsu1013begsu1013 Posts: 1,943 ✭✭
    is that Sheffield the error w/ the upside down SS?

    always love the gary pettis card where it showed him holding his own card. blew my mind the first time I saw it!
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>How is the hologram on the reverse? I have seen many with a portion missing. Does this affect the PSA grade with it is partially missing?
    Thanks,
    Robert >>



    it probably should, but I don't think the hologram matters to them. I have a PSA 10 Griffey that has part of the hologram missing.

    maybe that makes sense from a "surface" perspective not treating the hologram differently, then again I could probably argue the other side of it.

    interested to hear what other people have seen, does your Gem Griffey have a Gem hologram? >>



    Maybe they have changed their standards, but IIRC, back in the day a GEM card with a bad hologram would have a card stuck in a PSA "6" or so slab.
    STAY HEALTHY!

    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.
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