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Display idea for wax boxes - my wax box run
esquiresports
Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭
I love working on displaying my collection. I spend countless hours thinking about how to improve the display quality. It means a lot to me.
Below is my latest display. A similar display can be done for as little as a few hundred dollars. You can get the exact same effect regardless of investment by using empty wax boxes and color print-outs of graded packs. I know because two of the boxes in the photo below are empty (sadly, I still need a couple - PM me please!) and two of the graded packs are just a color printouts (need a 1971 4th series pack). This also allows me/you to place valuable boxes and packs in safe keeping and replace them with empty examples without losing the effect.
The idea behind the display was simple in concept but difficult in execution. I wanted to make my wax boxes interesting (or at least potentially interesting) to non-collectors. My fiancee thinks it's silly that the boxes are sealed up and, on one level, she's absolutely right. Seeing just the box does little for her. How would I communicate why this means something to me? Well, there is the box, the packs inside the box, the cards inside the packs and, for each year, a story to tell about that year's highlights. That's where I started.
I provide a lot of details below for anyone who is interested in making something similar. I hope it's helpful.
The Original Idea:
My original idea was to have a wax box for each year on the shelf and, above each, a frame that had a PSA-graded card on the left and a graded wax pack on the right. Below each box would be a description. The problem I had was that the graded cards I wanted to buy would run me thousands... thousands I'd rather spend on the wax box collection. The boxes originally sat flat on the shelf.
The Outcome:
The boxes - 1971-1981 Topps/partial OPC wax box run. I left enough space to complete the OPC run eventually. Because the shelf is somewhat high, I angled the boxes to make it easier to view the front and top of each.
The frames - each frame contains just a graded pack.
The placards - instead of also including a graded card in the frame, I created a template that showed an example of a card from that year's set, along with some text about that year's product. I had Mpix.com print these out with metallic ink, which gives a great reflective quality. They also mounted the photos on a thick card stock.
The Details:
Shelf - it's 10 ft wide and 10 inches deep. You need about 11 inches per box in width to get similar spacing and a minimum of seven inches of depth.
Frames - cheap shadow boxes from Michael's. They come in a 3-pack for $20, which you can usually get for 50% off. If not, they offer online coupons for 40% off an item.
Stands - I cut stands for the boxes at 4.5 inches high at the peak. Miter cut at a 40 degree angle. Wood is 6 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick. I used high grade pine because of smoothness, but any wood will do. Painted semi-gloss white to match my shelves, even though you don't really see them except at extreme angles. Where there are two boxes, the back boxes are on an elevated 2x4 platform (that is, simple wood that is 2 inches high and 4 inches wide). I applied non-slip gripper (like you can use to line drawers) to the angled cut to grip the boxes. You can make this presentation more stable by adhering the wood base to the shelf and/or by putting something like clear stoppers at the front of each box. I have done neither. If a box slips or falls of its base, it won't be enough to actually make the box fall off the shelf.
Placards - they are 3.5 x 5 inches. As noted, printed with metallic ink and mounted on card stock. It's a pretty boring design that can be improved upon. If you can come up with something better, I'd love to get a copy, so please PM me.
Possible Variations and Improvements:
I have one shelf above and below the one pictured. Adding a shelf or two would enable to add even more related items to share and tell a broader story.
There are lots of different layouts you can use that would look great. For example, as pictured below, for many years I have both Topps and OPC boxes. You could go with a two-pack display - Topps and OPC - in the same size frame by rotating it 90 degrees. I decided against this because I liked the smooth lines of having all frames with the same orientation.
You could also combine the placard/card/pack concept into a single frame above the box if you have a thin-faced shelf to work with.
I'd really like to be able to pop the tops on the boxes, but all the Topps except 1973 examples are sealed. If you can pop the tops, you don't really need the graded pack examples and I think the visual effect would be much stronger. I recall a guy recently sharing his display of several football boxes with the tops popped up and it looked great!
Below is my latest display. A similar display can be done for as little as a few hundred dollars. You can get the exact same effect regardless of investment by using empty wax boxes and color print-outs of graded packs. I know because two of the boxes in the photo below are empty (sadly, I still need a couple - PM me please!) and two of the graded packs are just a color printouts (need a 1971 4th series pack). This also allows me/you to place valuable boxes and packs in safe keeping and replace them with empty examples without losing the effect.
The idea behind the display was simple in concept but difficult in execution. I wanted to make my wax boxes interesting (or at least potentially interesting) to non-collectors. My fiancee thinks it's silly that the boxes are sealed up and, on one level, she's absolutely right. Seeing just the box does little for her. How would I communicate why this means something to me? Well, there is the box, the packs inside the box, the cards inside the packs and, for each year, a story to tell about that year's highlights. That's where I started.
I provide a lot of details below for anyone who is interested in making something similar. I hope it's helpful.
The Original Idea:
My original idea was to have a wax box for each year on the shelf and, above each, a frame that had a PSA-graded card on the left and a graded wax pack on the right. Below each box would be a description. The problem I had was that the graded cards I wanted to buy would run me thousands... thousands I'd rather spend on the wax box collection. The boxes originally sat flat on the shelf.
The Outcome:
The boxes - 1971-1981 Topps/partial OPC wax box run. I left enough space to complete the OPC run eventually. Because the shelf is somewhat high, I angled the boxes to make it easier to view the front and top of each.
The frames - each frame contains just a graded pack.
The placards - instead of also including a graded card in the frame, I created a template that showed an example of a card from that year's set, along with some text about that year's product. I had Mpix.com print these out with metallic ink, which gives a great reflective quality. They also mounted the photos on a thick card stock.
The Details:
Shelf - it's 10 ft wide and 10 inches deep. You need about 11 inches per box in width to get similar spacing and a minimum of seven inches of depth.
Frames - cheap shadow boxes from Michael's. They come in a 3-pack for $20, which you can usually get for 50% off. If not, they offer online coupons for 40% off an item.
Stands - I cut stands for the boxes at 4.5 inches high at the peak. Miter cut at a 40 degree angle. Wood is 6 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick. I used high grade pine because of smoothness, but any wood will do. Painted semi-gloss white to match my shelves, even though you don't really see them except at extreme angles. Where there are two boxes, the back boxes are on an elevated 2x4 platform (that is, simple wood that is 2 inches high and 4 inches wide). I applied non-slip gripper (like you can use to line drawers) to the angled cut to grip the boxes. You can make this presentation more stable by adhering the wood base to the shelf and/or by putting something like clear stoppers at the front of each box. I have done neither. If a box slips or falls of its base, it won't be enough to actually make the box fall off the shelf.
Placards - they are 3.5 x 5 inches. As noted, printed with metallic ink and mounted on card stock. It's a pretty boring design that can be improved upon. If you can come up with something better, I'd love to get a copy, so please PM me.
Possible Variations and Improvements:
I have one shelf above and below the one pictured. Adding a shelf or two would enable to add even more related items to share and tell a broader story.
There are lots of different layouts you can use that would look great. For example, as pictured below, for many years I have both Topps and OPC boxes. You could go with a two-pack display - Topps and OPC - in the same size frame by rotating it 90 degrees. I decided against this because I liked the smooth lines of having all frames with the same orientation.
You could also combine the placard/card/pack concept into a single frame above the box if you have a thin-faced shelf to work with.
I'd really like to be able to pop the tops on the boxes, but all the Topps except 1973 examples are sealed. If you can pop the tops, you don't really need the graded pack examples and I think the visual effect would be much stronger. I recall a guy recently sharing his display of several football boxes with the tops popped up and it looked great!
Always buying 1971 OPC Baseball packs.
0
Comments
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
A+
Dave
I really like your setup and appreciate you sharing the thought process with us. Awesome job Scott!!!
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Mark
T206 Set - 300/524
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
<< <i>I like how you have the packs in the back and also a little wording about the set with the key card. Pretty fly for a white guy. >>
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.
Thanks for sharing.
aconte
1975 Topps Registry Set "Scott's 75 Topps Set"
Jeff
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
Erik
You've done some beautiful work there.
Very Impressive!!
<< <i>what are you doing to hold the graded pack in the shadow boxes? >>
Sorry for failing to mention this upfront. I am using foam core to hold it up. I believe it is standard 3/16 inch that you can get at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc. You can cut in with a box cutter and ruler. A heated exacto knife if easier. mat cutter is easiest. It's a nice solution because it holds the pack in place without using any sort of adhesive.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
<< <i>Nice display. What kind of lights do you have in the room? Do you have any kind of protection for the boxes and packs from light damage/fading? >>
Thanks. I had all the windows in that room covered with high-grade UV film. It was a pretty reasonable cost - like $200. There's no direct sunlight in the room because I keep the blinds slatted at a pretty steep angle, but indirect light can also cause fading. It's a very (very) light tint, but blocks about 99% of UV light. I have all LED light bulbs in the room. They give off little heat and don't have light in the UV spectrum. These were about $20 each for dimmable style. Hopefully they last half as long as claimed.
I've thought about covering each box in an acrylic shell for dusting purposes. Might look nice. Might not. I'm not sure where I come out on this one.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
Well done and thanks for sharing.
Shane
I collect empty wax pack boxes and wax packs, your picture gives me something to shoot for!
It makes me ashamed that I just have stuff piled into bookcases, for the most part, in no particular order.
Snorto~
<< <i>I collect empty wax pack boxes and wax packs >>
And apparently game used luggage
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's