It is funny how seeing the RCs of Jim Abbott, Chris Sabo, Gary Sheffield and Gregg Jefferies FTC still excite me. There were plenty of stars and rookies in the two boxes. Here are the piles that keep growing...
I feel pretty good that 9 GEM MINT contenders were found...
Based on all the 1980s boxes I have opened, I can safely say the production quality of 1981 Donruss is far and away the WORST of any mainstream set in the decade!! These seriously look like they were hand cut by a 3rd grader with the majority of edges not even lining up at a 90-degree angle. Add to it rough cuts, printing imperfections and paper thin stock prone to edge/corner wear. This has the makings of a nightmare set to build in high grade. I love a good challenge like this...which makes me a little sick in the head 🙃 Here were the stars and RCs...
To give you an idea of the love, care and attention Donruss put into their premiere set...check out these beauties. This is the little known test issue of the puzzle cards Donruss would add during the balance of their 1980s packs 🤣
However, all was not lost. 3 contenders emerged from the box and one just happened to be the key RC in the set...
Time to work against the least popular Topps set of the 1980s. When these 1988 Topps cards are GEM MINT, you at least get an appreciation of what Topps was going for with the design and photo selection. Here goes...
I found another 5 contenders in the second set of boxes...one of which is Mr. Glavine. L/R on him is 55/45, but I think he has a shot...at least until I find a better one to submit.
@TheThrill22 said:
Even though over produced and not worth much, still fun to pull big name stars from 1988's
Thanks Tom. I’m sure I am in the minority, but I am with you that I get nearly as much kick out of pulling a perfect copy of a star from 1988 Topps as I do pulling a 1980 Henderson RC. I guess that is a testament that this hobby really isn’t about money to me 🙂
Another strong box condition wise. First, here were the non-gradeworthy stars and rookies. Never paid much attention to the Lee Smith RC, but guess I should start to...
Mr. Ripken was once again found, but OC pretty badly...
Christmas joy was plentiful though as 23 GEM MINT contenders emerged, anchored by Brett and Nolan!!
@softparade said:
Have you sent any of these blazers from these rips in to be graded yet?
Not yet...waiting to get further along before submitting a massive bulk sub. Hoping to sub a complete set so they all have consecutive serial numbers. We will see if I ever get a full set worth of PSA 10 candidates during the journey. Thanks for following and commenting...
Alright, time to settle in for a day of ripping. Feeling like starting the hunt with a vending box from one of my favorite sets...1983 Topps. Such iconic 1980’s RCs to be found in this series...
Overall, this box was a good one. Here are the stars and RCs that continue to pile up from this set...
Always fun to pull a Boggs and Sandberg RC despite them not being grade worthy...
However, these 15 gradeable beauties were found with decent star power to boot! Yaz, Brett AS and Rickey all made the first cut. The Henderson is 45/55 T/B, but I think I will grade it since everything else about the card is GEM MINT...
Boy these cards are condition sensitive! The boarders on these show any hint of edge or corner wear and they are really hard to find dead centered. That said, these two boxes produced a few beauties. But first, here are the mounds of stars and rookies that continue to pile up as I break these boxes...
Here were the top RCs in the two boxes...just not worthy of any 10s...
However, these 7 have a really good shot at PSA 10 perfection. I freakin love the look of the Bo rookie! Bo knows GEM MINT...
@jordangretzkyfan said:
Overall, this box was a good one. Here are the stars and RCs that continue to pile up from this set...
Always fun to pull a Boggs and Sandberg RC despite them not being grade worthy...
However, these 15 gradeable beauties were found with decent star power to boot! Yaz, Brett AS and Rickey all made the first cut. The Henderson is 45/55 T/B, but I think I will grade it since everything else about the card is GEM MINT...
Not sure what to rip next...any requests?
This case continues to look like a peach. The Tekulve and particularly the Lacy are the low pops.
As far as the Rickey, it's pretty easy, so if you're not 100% sold, I'd bet you'll find a superior copy. Now the Rickey All Star, with your tough standards, even something you deem borderline, I'd set aside.
"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
This case continues to look like a peach. The Tekulve and particularly the Lacy are the low pops.
As far as the Rickey, it's pretty easy, so if you're not 100% sold, I'd bet you'll find a superior copy. Now the Rickey All Star, with your tough standards, even something you deem borderline, I'd set aside.
Thank you for the advice on the Henderson’s and for letting me know which are the low pops. I haven’t seen a Henderson AS that warranted anything near a PSA 10 as of yet, but will be on the lookout. I tossed the Rickey base I pulled back into the pond since the centering wasn’t quite there.
Nope, no McGwire or Larkin out of those two boxes. Have pulled tons of each previously, but 1987 Donruss tend to have poor dispersion of the set leading to multiple duplicates in each box.
Nope, no McGwire or Larkin out of those two boxes. Have pulled tons of each previously, but 1987 Donruss tend to have poor dispersion of the set leading to multiple duplicates in each box.
Thanks, that's what I was curious about. I ripped 2 87 Donruss boxes a few months back and got 4 Macs, 3 Bonds, but 0 Madduxes. I figured the dispersion had to be really off. Always a fun box though!
I just caught wind of this thread and must say that it really does speak to what my entire baseball PC is all about. I collect high grade rookies from my birth year, 1977, to 1989. A lot of people assume that because of the escalating production numbers, especially during the latter half of the 80's, it would mean that finding high grade cards of any given player would be easy. Let this thread be proof positive that it is anything but easy to find 10's in 80's baseball wax. I specialize in Leaf and O-Pee-Chee sets and those are even more ridiculous when it comes to finding gem copies.
In any case, I look forward to seeing more of your progress! This is what it's all about!
@88horsepower said:
I just caught wind of this thread and must say that it really does speak to what my entire baseball PC is all about. I collect high grade rookies from my birth year, 1977, to 1989. A lot of people assume that because of the escalating production numbers, especially during the latter half of the 80's, it would mean that finding high grade cards of any given player would be easy. Let this thread be proof positive that it is anything but easy to find 10's in 80's baseball wax. I specialize in Leaf and O-Pee-Chee sets and those are even more ridiculous when it comes to finding gem copies.
In any case, I look forward to seeing more of your progress! This is what it's all about!
Thank you for your comments. I’m glad you are enjoying this thread and are able to share your experiences looking for perfect 1980s cards as well. You are right, finding perfect examples is quite the challenge! I look forward to hearing more about your journey and some of your prized GEM MINT cards 🙂
Per softparade’s request, up next is some 1984 Donruss. This is arguably the most iconic set of the 1980s with the exception of maybe 1989 Upper Deck...
@jordangretzkyfan said:
Per softparade’s request, up next is some 1984 Donruss. This is arguably the most iconic set of the 1980s with the exception of maybe 1989 Upper Deck...
Yikes...that break took forever! Unlike the 1981 and 1985-1989 Donruss that used paper thin card stock, 1982-1984 Donruss actually used a higher quality print stock. The cards I was pulling were all razor sharp edges and corners, which led me to have to scrutinize anything that was dead centered since it likely has a good shot at GEM MINT. What a fun break!
Here are the off-centered stars and rookies I pulled...
Speaking of off-centered...
Getting warmer, but still no...
So freakin’ close...darn you slight tilt!!!!!
However, these whopping 51 candidates for GEM MINT made it through the first cut. All have razor sharp edges/corners and looked dead centered through my first pass. There is an amazing Tony Gwynn and Dennis Eckersley in this mix. Overall, I am really happy with this break...
So awesome.... must be incredible to just rear back in the stash and pull out an ‘84 Donruss wax box! The Mattingly still looks nice.... I’m not a huge hater on a little tilt as long as all edges and corners can slit your wrists.
It would be great to have some 84D wax boxes laying around AND pull a gem Mattingly so I don't have to drop a grand on one some day! Congrats to @jordangretzkyfan for the one you pulled!
Oof!! I cannot overstate enough just how brutally condition sensitive 1986 Topps cards are even fresh from an unopened case. Granted, vending is likely the toughest unopened form on condition, but still. Out of 1000 fresh vending cards, only 2 contenders for GEM MINT emerged. Note that both are team leaders cards and don’t even have the black top border...
I am going to muscle my way through two more of these vending boxes next. Wish me luck!!
@jordangretzkyfan said:
Oof!! I cannot overstate enough just how brutally condition sensitive 1986 Topps cards are even fresh from an unopened case. Granted, vending is likely the toughest unopened form on condition, but still. Out of 1000 fresh vending cards, only 2 contenders for GEM MINT emerged. Note that both are team leaders cards and don’t even have the black top border...
I am going to muscle my way through two more of these vending boxes next. Wish me luck!!
The last two vending boxes were just as painful. Once again, only 2 contenders out of 1000 cards were found. That is a 0.2% hit rate through 4 vending boxes for those of you keeping score at home. First, here are the non-PSA 10 stars and RCs that continue to pile up...
At least one of the contenders is a top card in the set...
Think I need a break for a little while to uncross my eyes 🙃
I feel ya on the 86s. I ripped a rack box tonight. Much better eye candy than compared to the vending. Curious how your luck goes with the rack. Fingers crossed.
Thanks,
David (LD_Ferg)
1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06
Comments
Up next are a couple of 1989 Topps vending boxes...
It is funny how seeing the RCs of Jim Abbott, Chris Sabo, Gary Sheffield and Gregg Jefferies FTC still excite me. There were plenty of stars and rookies in the two boxes. Here are the piles that keep growing...
I feel pretty good that 9 GEM MINT contenders were found...
Next up...more of those condition nightmares known as 1981 Donruss!
Based on all the 1980s boxes I have opened, I can safely say the production quality of 1981 Donruss is far and away the WORST of any mainstream set in the decade!! These seriously look like they were hand cut by a 3rd grader with the majority of edges not even lining up at a 90-degree angle. Add to it rough cuts, printing imperfections and paper thin stock prone to edge/corner wear. This has the makings of a nightmare set to build in high grade. I love a good challenge like this...which makes me a little sick in the head 🙃 Here were the stars and RCs...
To give you an idea of the love, care and attention Donruss put into their premiere set...check out these beauties. This is the little known test issue of the puzzle cards Donruss would add during the balance of their 1980s packs 🤣
However, all was not lost. 3 contenders emerged from the box and one just happened to be the key RC in the set...
damm i was just about to buy a 1981 Donruss box, not anymore !!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_players_from_Panama
I still may buy one. I have had it in my cart several times now.
Kris
My 1971 Topps adventure - Davis Men in Black
Up next, another pair of 1989 Topps vending boxes...
That Raines is sweet!
Pretty happy with these two vending boxes. Found 9 more contenders for PSA 10...
Blazers!
Time to work against the least popular Topps set of the 1980s. When these 1988 Topps cards are GEM MINT, you at least get an appreciation of what Topps was going for with the design and photo selection. Here goes...
Plenty of stars and rookies continue to pile up...
And I found 5 contenders for PSA 10...Yes, that is only a 0.5% hit rate!! However, these Record Breaker cards look sweet when they are dead on...
Think I might rip two more 1988 Topps vending while I am at it...
Even though over produced and not worth much, still fun to pull big name stars from 1988's
I found another 5 contenders in the second set of boxes...one of which is Mr. Glavine. L/R on him is 55/45, but I think he has a shot...at least until I find a better one to submit.
Thanks Tom. I’m sure I am in the minority, but I am with you that I get nearly as much kick out of pulling a perfect copy of a star from 1988 Topps as I do pulling a 1980 Henderson RC. I guess that is a testament that this hobby really isn’t about money to me 🙂
Time for some more 1982 Donruss...
Time for some more 1982 Donruss...
**I have my coffee ready.
Another strong box condition wise. First, here were the non-gradeworthy stars and rookies. Never paid much attention to the Lee Smith RC, but guess I should start to...
Mr. Ripken was once again found, but OC pretty badly...
Christmas joy was plentiful though as 23 GEM MINT contenders emerged, anchored by Brett and Nolan!!
Have you sent any of these blazers from these rips in to be graded yet?
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Merry Christmas!
Not yet...waiting to get further along before submitting a massive bulk sub. Hoping to sub a complete set so they all have consecutive serial numbers. We will see if I ever get a full set worth of PSA 10 candidates during the journey. Thanks for following and commenting...
Merry Christmas Tom! Hope everyone had a great day and the chance to spend time with loved ones. More rips coming tomorrow...
Alright, time to settle in for a day of ripping. Feeling like starting the hunt with a vending box from one of my favorite sets...1983 Topps. Such iconic 1980’s RCs to be found in this series...
The '83 is such a great year and classic design.
Overall, this box was a good one. Here are the stars and RCs that continue to pile up from this set...
Always fun to pull a Boggs and Sandberg RC despite them not being grade worthy...
However, these 15 gradeable beauties were found with decent star power to boot! Yaz, Brett AS and Rickey all made the first cut. The Henderson is 45/55 T/B, but I think I will grade it since everything else about the card is GEM MINT...
Not sure what to rip next...any requests?
I really like the black beauties of 1987 Donruss...would like to see some more of them if you have some remaining in the stash...
Great request...let’s do these two 1987 Donruss wax boxes next...
Boy these cards are condition sensitive! The boarders on these show any hint of edge or corner wear and they are really hard to find dead centered. That said, these two boxes produced a few beauties. But first, here are the mounds of stars and rookies that continue to pile up as I break these boxes...
Here were the top RCs in the two boxes...just not worthy of any 10s...
However, these 7 have a really good shot at PSA 10 perfection. I freakin love the look of the Bo rookie! Bo knows GEM MINT...
Any recommendations on what to break next?
This case continues to look like a peach. The Tekulve and particularly the Lacy are the low pops.
As far as the Rickey, it's pretty easy, so if you're not 100% sold, I'd bet you'll find a superior copy. Now the Rickey All Star, with your tough standards, even something you deem borderline, I'd set aside.
>
‘84 Donruss
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
@jordangretzkyfan Any McGwires out of those two boxes??
Currently Collecting:
Flickr: https://flickr.com/gp/184724292@N07/686763
Thank you for the advice on the Henderson’s and for letting me know which are the low pops. I haven’t seen a Henderson AS that warranted anything near a PSA 10 as of yet, but will be on the lookout. I tossed the Rickey base I pulled back into the pond since the centering wasn’t quite there.
Nope, no McGwire or Larkin out of those two boxes. Have pulled tons of each previously, but 1987 Donruss tend to have poor dispersion of the set leading to multiple duplicates in each box.
Let’s see what I can dig out for you tomorrow 😉
Thanks, that's what I was curious about. I ripped 2 87 Donruss boxes a few months back and got 4 Macs, 3 Bonds, but 0 Madduxes. I figured the dispersion had to be really off. Always a fun box though!
Currently Collecting:
Flickr: https://flickr.com/gp/184724292@N07/686763
I just caught wind of this thread and must say that it really does speak to what my entire baseball PC is all about. I collect high grade rookies from my birth year, 1977, to 1989. A lot of people assume that because of the escalating production numbers, especially during the latter half of the 80's, it would mean that finding high grade cards of any given player would be easy. Let this thread be proof positive that it is anything but easy to find 10's in 80's baseball wax. I specialize in Leaf and O-Pee-Chee sets and those are even more ridiculous when it comes to finding gem copies.
In any case, I look forward to seeing more of your progress! This is what it's all about!
Thank you for your comments. I’m glad you are enjoying this thread and are able to share your experiences looking for perfect 1980s cards as well. You are right, finding perfect examples is quite the challenge! I look forward to hearing more about your journey and some of your prized GEM MINT cards 🙂
Per softparade’s request, up next is some 1984 Donruss. This is arguably the most iconic set of the 1980s with the exception of maybe 1989 Upper Deck...
Mattingly!
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Wow! Nice!
Andy
Woo-hoo! Those '83's continue to be blazers. Always great to see some "Thrills" pulled!
Yikes...that break took forever! Unlike the 1981 and 1985-1989 Donruss that used paper thin card stock, 1982-1984 Donruss actually used a higher quality print stock. The cards I was pulling were all razor sharp edges and corners, which led me to have to scrutinize anything that was dead centered since it likely has a good shot at GEM MINT. What a fun break!
Here are the off-centered stars and rookies I pulled...
Speaking of off-centered...
Getting warmer, but still no...
So freakin’ close...darn you slight tilt!!!!!
However, these whopping 51 candidates for GEM MINT made it through the first cut. All have razor sharp edges/corners and looked dead centered through my first pass. There is an amazing Tony Gwynn and Dennis Eckersley in this mix. Overall, I am really happy with this break...
So awesome.... must be incredible to just rear back in the stash and pull out an ‘84 Donruss wax box! The Mattingly still looks nice.... I’m not a huge hater on a little tilt as long as all edges and corners can slit your wrists.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
It would be great to have some 84D wax boxes laying around AND pull a gem Mattingly so I don't have to drop a grand on one some day! Congrats to @jordangretzkyfan for the one you pulled!
Kris
My 1971 Topps adventure - Davis Men in Black
Back to some 1986 Topps vending as I try to finish this case out so I can move on to rack cases instead...
Outstanding break! The Joe Carter from 84 Donruss is an all time favorite of mine. Such a tough one to find centered.
Sweet!
Oof!! I cannot overstate enough just how brutally condition sensitive 1986 Topps cards are even fresh from an unopened case. Granted, vending is likely the toughest unopened form on condition, but still. Out of 1000 fresh vending cards, only 2 contenders for GEM MINT emerged. Note that both are team leaders cards and don’t even have the black top border...
I am going to muscle my way through two more of these vending boxes next. Wish me luck!!
"muscle my way"
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
The last two vending boxes were just as painful. Once again, only 2 contenders out of 1000 cards were found. That is a 0.2% hit rate through 4 vending boxes for those of you keeping score at home. First, here are the non-PSA 10 stars and RCs that continue to pile up...
At least one of the contenders is a top card in the set...
Think I need a break for a little while to uncross my eyes 🙃
That Kirby is a peach though. Keep on diggin'!
I feel ya on the 86s. I ripped a rack box tonight. Much better eye candy than compared to the vending. Curious how your luck goes with the rack. Fingers crossed.
Thanks,
David (LD_Ferg)
1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06
Time to hunt for some GEM MINT 1986 Fleer cards...