To rip or not to rip, that is the question: 1976 Topps Baseball

maddux69 · March 16, 2018 2:07PM

I have a 1976 Topps cello that I am looking to rip unless I someone talks some sense into me! I was born in 76 and Saturday is my birthday, so the stars have aligned for an exciting rip! The first card was damaged in packaging so I decided against having it slabbed.

graygator · March 16, 2018 2:17PM

I ripped a 76 wax pack on my 40th birthday a couple of years ago (also born in 76). Didn’t hit any big scores, but it was a lot of fun. I say rip away.

rcmb3220 · March 16, 2018 2:19PM

How are the corners?

Unknown · March 16, 2018 2:20PM

This content has been removed.

maddux69 · March 16, 2018 2:34PM

@rcmb3220 said:
How are the corners?

They are decent, I can see where one is soft right beside the gum.

KendallCat · March 16, 2018 2:35PM

Rip it. More fun to do so and find you another pack at a later date.

Dand522612 · March 16, 2018 3:04PM

It’s ready to be untombed....decent centering on front and back cards as well. Candidly I think you are concluding the eye appeal is not there with the roller mark on the top card.Eye appeal can only get better inside.......

JBrules · March 16, 2018 3:48PM

Rip away!!!

vintagefun · March 16, 2018 3:56PM

Rrrrrrip!

Gilbey · March 16, 2018 4:27PM

To rip or not to rip is not a question. So you need to rip. Happy birthday.

pjb103183 · March 16, 2018 4:55PM

definitely rip.

Bosox1976 · March 16, 2018 6:21PM

I smell a nice Eck in there...

Sdub · March 16, 2018 6:31PM

Rip! Rip! Rip! Rip!

handyman · March 16, 2018 6:55PM

Sell it and buy a complete set with the money

grote15 · March 16, 2018 11:25PM

Nice, clean pack. I think it would garde a PSA 8, which you could probably get $250 or more for. Ripping is a long shot to get anything close to that value in return, especially in a cello pack from this era. Just want you to be aware, lol..

maddux69 · March 16, 2018 11:56PM

@grote15 said:
Nice, clean pack. I think it would garde a PSA 8, which you could probably get $250 or more for. Ripping is a long shot to get anything close to that value in return, especially in a cello pack from this era. Just want you to be aware, lol..

Thank you for being the angel on my shoulder Tim! I didn't realize it until I took the shot from the side, but the cello is short and the cards are exposed. Would they even grade it with the cards exposed and the pack not fully sealed?

grote15 · March 17, 2018 12:00AM

@maddux69 said:

@grote15 said:
Nice, clean pack. I think it would garde a PSA 8, which you could probably get $250 or more for. Ripping is a long shot to get anything close to that value in return, especially in a cello pack from this era. Just want you to be aware, lol..

Thank you for being the angel on my shoulder Tim! I didn't realize it until I took the shot from the side, but the cello is short and the cards are exposed. Would they even grade it with the cards exposed and the pack not fully sealed?

My pleasure, Jason, lol. Yes, they will, and it shouldn't affect the grade, either. In fact, I think you have a shot at a PSA 9, actually. Cello pack grading is primarily based on whether there are any rips, tears or splits in the cellophane, and whether seal on back (and cello itself) is clean and tightly sealed (even if part of the back card is partly exposed as in this case) and to a lesser degree, how well centered the top card is. The loader mark on the bottom edge of the top card of the pack will affect the grade of that card but it shouldn't really affect the grade of the pack itself as the cello is not damaged there. I think you have about a 60% chance at a PSA 8 and a 40% chance at a PSA 9 on this pack.

maddux69 · March 17, 2018 12:08AM

Thanks for the info, I will sleep on it tonight then see where I am at. If by chance I don't rip this pack, I will be sure to rip either some 83 Michigan packs, a 2007 Allen & Ginter blaster box or a 1999 Metal Universe hobby box in search of Precious Metal Gems.

initialD · March 17, 2018 7:21AM

Metal Universe and Happy Birthday!

What's the current cost/turnaround on grading packs nowadays? I haven't since their specials, so eons ago

grote15 · March 17, 2018 8:28AM

@initialD said:
Metal Universe and Happy Birthday!

What's the current cost/turnaround on grading packs nowadays? I haven't since their specials, so eons ago

Cost of grading post 72 packs is $14 plus shipping. Turnaround is about 4 months.

initialD · March 17, 2018 9:01AM

@grote15 said:

@initialD said:
Metal Universe and Happy Birthday!

What's the current cost/turnaround on grading packs nowadays? I haven't since their specials, so eons ago

Cost of grading post 72 packs is $14 plus shipping. Turnaround is about 4 months.

Thanks Tim, there's a Shriners show coming up so I'll get together a drop off

Now back to rippage!

cpamike · March 17, 2018 11:18AM

Jason don't succumb to this mob mentality, you need to save that cello for future generations.

In all seriousness, I agree with Tim that your cello will get at least an 8 or does have a shot at a 9. I think the back looks especially nice and the mark you see on the top card is very typical from the loading process. Now I probably shouldn't say this, but a lot of times the top or bottom card shows that loading mark because an extra card was inserted into the pack which is the reason that top or bottom card gets damaged. Please don't open that cello now that it may have an extra card in there, LOL!

stevek · March 17, 2018 11:39AM

Always rip for fun, not for profit.

But if ya profit, then consider it a bonus.

vintagefun · March 17, 2018 11:42AM

Enough from the buzzkill dads (grote/cpa). We don't need your stinkin' logic. We want 70s rippage.

In all seriousness though, I love that I learned more about Cello pack grading and they've obviously given good advice.

Personally, I intend to rip something from 71 (birth year) on my 50th. At this point it's OPC, but I continue to look for the right Topps item. So maybe save that pack for a milestone birthday in 2026.

Best of luck on whatever you decide to rip!

KendallCat · March 17, 2018 11:55AM

I was born in 68 so I am going to rip my rack with a Ryan and Bench showing on the front

maddux69 · March 17, 2018 12:09PM

Thanks for the great advice everyone, now I will be sending it out on my next sub. In it's place I will be ripping the A&G blaster along with a few 2017 Heritage hangers. Hope to have the luck of the Irish on my side! Pics to follow!

maddux69 · March 17, 2018 4:55PM

Very uneventful rips, highlights were a framed relic in the Allen and Ginter and a Adam Wainwright relic in the heritage. Time to drink!

maddux69 · November 5, 2018 8:06PM

The sub of the 76 cello is back!

Item #1
Cert #41867845
GradeNEAR MINT-MINT 8
Description 1976 Topps Baseball Cello Pack Cello Pack

grote15 · November 5, 2018 8:15PM

@grote15 said:
Nice, clean pack. I think it would grade a PSA 8, which you could probably get $250 or more for. Ripping is a long shot to get anything close to that value in return, especially in a cello pack from this era. Just want you to be aware, lol..

Congrats! I was spot on.

maddux69 · November 5, 2018 9:02PM

@grote15 said:

@grote15 said:
Nice, clean pack. I think it would grade a PSA 8, which you could probably get $250 or more for. Ripping is a long shot to get anything close to that value in return, especially in a cello pack from this era. Just want you to be aware, lol..

Congrats! I was spot on.

Yhat's why you are the king! Thanks for the advice.

Estil · November 6, 2018 12:48AM

How much do these packs go for? I mean people think nothing of buying $20, $25 or even (in TX) $50 lottery scratch-offs so if you wanna take a chance on it, go for it

https://youtu.be/-crgQGdpZR0