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Opinions on buying 1980-81 Topps Basketball wax

Hi guys-



I'm considering buying a few packs of these to grade and or rip. They're around $100.00 for a legit ungraded pack. Not really sure how much more in value these will rise in the immediate future. Honestly you're only chasing one card. I did some math, looks like I would have around a 4.5% chance per pack at pulling Magic/Bird rookie. Basically in poker terms, you're drawing dead!



A reason why I'd like to open a few packs is because. my older brother (45yrs old, I'm 39) who bought those packs in 1980-81 separated all the cards! When I was old enough to collect (1987ish) my brother had stopped collecting. He gave me all of his cards (lots of early 80's football and baseball too)! I remember having two 1980-81 boxes filled with all these little separated cards. I thought, "these cards look dumb". So I put those in the back of closet and looked at all the "cool" 1980's football and baseball cards I got!



Well, in 1990 the first Basketball Beckett was published (I still have it). I was so excited to finally be able to look up the prices of my basketball cards. I went looking for 1989-90 hoops David Robinson first as I had one of those. Then, I noticed those "dumb" looking 1980-81 cards priced in the beckett. I noticed the 3 cards weren't separated in the price guide. I was old enough to know, whatever cards I had from that set weren't worth much since they where all separated. I recall the $150.00ish dollar price tag on the Magic/Bird rookie and that I just had to look how many "what if's" I had!?!?!



Needless to say I remember the counting around 40+ of each Larry Bird and Magic Johnson separated rookie cards (not the TL ones)! To this day I wonder how many Bird/Magic/Julius cards there where?!?!



So, this is why I want to rip a pack or two BUT, I'm probably better off just holding on to them if I decide to buy some. In a nutshell, whats everyone's opinions on these packs? Worth it?





Nick

Comments

  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭
    buy a few packs and hold them.They have increased dramatically in the past 18 months. Still room to grow IMO. Then buy the Bird/Magic card in PSA-7 or PSA-8. 9 if it's in your budget
  • VintagemanEdVintagemanEd Posts: 932 ✭✭✭
    I have the same opinion as the last.... Buy a couple of packs to keep and buy whatever grade bird/magic you can afford so the temptation to open may not be as strong. I have always thought these boxes had a a lot of room to grow
  • baz518baz518 Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭✭
    I didn't check the math, but you could have a better chance than you think... the Bird/Magic/J card is a double print. But as mentioned, you prob have a 95% chance of it being oc and/or tilted if you pull one. Even go for a couple graded packs and a graded copy of the card, it'll save you some cost/risk of self subbing the packs.
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Buy a few to open for fun, then buy a nice bird/magic for your collection. If your luck is like mine, don't expect much out of the packs.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • Thanks for the replies. A psa 8 Bird/Magic is in my budget and I plan on getting a nice copy. I do recall hearing the bird/magic is a double print, not sure how much of a % that will increase the odds of pulling one?



    On that note- I will just open one pack for fun and save the rest image
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: nrm1977

    Thanks for the replies. A psa 8 Bird/Magic is in my budget and I plan on getting a nice copy. I do recall hearing the bird/magic is a double print, not sure how much of a % that will increase the odds of pulling one?



    On that note- I will just open one pack for fun and save the rest image




    Warning: it is very difficult to stop at opening just one pack if more packs are on hand. image





    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.
  • 49ersGuy49ersGuy Posts: 382 ✭✭
    you always think to yourself " the next pack will have it"



    ...until they are all gone.
  • mikelowell25mikelowell25 Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: 49ersGuy

    you always think to yourself " the next pack will have it"







    ...until they are all gone.




    So true!!



  • Originally posted by: VintagemanEd

    I have the same opinion as the last.... Buy a couple of packs to keep and buy whatever grade bird/magic you can afford so the temptation to open may not be as strong. I have always thought these boxes had a a lot of room to grow




    If the boxes have a lot of room to grow, wouldn't you recommend buying them now before the price goes up?
  • VintagemanEdVintagemanEd Posts: 932 ✭✭✭
    I would indeed!
  • Nathaniel1960Nathaniel1960 Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Buy an empty box, set of wrappers (all variations), a nice PSA graded pack, a PSA 7 BIRD/MAGIC/DR J, and the complete set raw, put in a nice binder, and you are all set.
    Kiss me once, shame on you.
    Kiss me twice.....let's party.
  • Nathaniel1960Nathaniel1960 Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Almost forgot, get the complete mini poster set too. You can probably do all of that for around $500.
    Kiss me once, shame on you.
    Kiss me twice.....let's party.
  • SlangNRoxSlangNRox Posts: 774 ✭✭
    I opened 3 packs from a bbce group rip here a few years ago. Think it was $100 for 3 packs at the game. Gum stained the last 2 cards. I wouldn't open them if I could do it over again. I bought a psa 7 rc years ago and am happy with that
  • spazzyspazzy Posts: 592 ✭✭
    Based on the card on the front and back, can you tell if a Bird/?Magic rc is in the pack? Do you really have a chance of pulling the big card in any pack?
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭
    Not only is this is a very low percentage pack to rip, it's a notoriously difficult card to pull out centered and without the notorious stains that plague it. 86 Fleer basketball offers maybe 3 Jordans a box, but this set might offer you 1 Bird/Magic. For the price, I'd say it's one of the worst pack to rip in terms of odds on getting your money back
    The Clockwork Angel Collection...brought to you by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase
    TheClockworkAngelCollection
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