84 FB cello boxes

BobS · July 27, 2007 2:32AM

I've got my eye on a 84 FB cello box, graded by GAI. The flip states it was from a sealed case. However, there is the big black streak across the top of the box, like a lot of 84 FB boxes. I have only seen a picture of the box on the internet, not in person. Two questions:

1) How can the box be marked if it came from a sealed case?

2) Do the 84 FB cello's have shrink wrap around the box? I can't tell from the picture of the black mark is on the box itself or a layer of shrink wrap on the outside.

Thanks.

jradke4 · July 27, 2007 4:12AM

well it was from a sealed case of X-outs.

X-outs are Topps repackaged boxes of product that was returned to them unsold, ie supermarkets etc. these were then resold to hobby dealers. X-outs probably wont have the same card collation as normal boxes. That said you could have a box with 3 Marinos and 3 Elways, or none of either. Based on 14 cards a pack and 36 a box (not sure if the it was 14 or 15) in a first run packaged box you should expect at least one of each. That being that would be roughly 500+ cards in the box with a complete set of 396. The math says that there should be 1.27 sets if the collation was perfect. But that is enough for me to hedge my bets on 1 each a box. Now with the x-outs the odds a technically the same, but all the packs were repackaged, many were probably sorted through if one could see through the wrapper or not. Heck I remember looking through the wrapers at the supermarket and walgreens back then, or at least trying too.

anyone can shrink wrap a box.

jradke4 · July 27, 2007 4:17AM

opps you said cello not wax. well then they more than likely were leafed through at some store somewhere. i am sure people were looking for payton, etc back then. maybe not as much marino or elway but probably them as well. people were smart back then and tried to assign cards based on the top and bottom cards back then as well. so just beware you might not hit it as lucky as you think you might.

if you are looking for high grade cards cell and grocery wax are not the best options. the backs are wrapped tight which means smashed corners. racks and regular wax (have to deal with stains (gum and wax) though) are the first and second choice.

Are you looking to build a set or pull a high grade card?? If you want the high grade card I would suggest just buying it on Ebay. Marino 9's go between 100 and 140, and probably the same for Elway. The other HOF rookies can be had for less in 9. The odds of pulling a 10 are slim. For the price you might do better just buying the cards you really want.

CDsNuts · July 27, 2007 4:27AM

Cellos weren't wrapped tight in the mid-80s, so corners won't be smashed. However, jradke's right about people shuffling through the box looking for stars on top. Considering condition wasn't a big deal back then, the packs could've been haphazardly thrown around which doesn't bode well for the corners. 80s cello's are tough to begin with because although they're not wrapped tight, the plastic is much thinner than it was in the 70s so any kind of movement could hurt corners. Your best bet is case-fresh rack, then wax. Grocery rack is by far the worst (there you'll find your crushed corners), followed by vending. I would say cello is middle of the road. Put it this way- you could buy 5 Elway/Marino PSA 9's for the price of the box, and since you won't be pulling more than a couple 10s out of the whole box, I wouldn't pull the trigger.

Also, there was no shrink wrap around the boxes.

BobS · July 27, 2007 4:38AM

Thanks guys. Didn't know topps took all the X-out boxes they got back and re-packaged them into full cases (I think that's what you're saying).

Not looking to open for graded cards, or open to build a set. Will crack the box out of the holder and sell packs at a show. I've made an offer, for quite a bit less than BBExchange prices.

CDsNuts · July 27, 2007 4:43AM

If you think you can profit from it, by any means go for it.

milbroco · July 27, 2007 4:51AM

Just a side note on these boxes. I have mentioned before on various 1984 Football threads that I used to go to Topps in Dureya (sp?) Pa. and help my friend load up his mini van with these CASES. These were closeouts and returns from stores........however, they were also stock that was never sold and never left the warehouse. We toured the factory on several occassions and watched them open sealed cases just to mark the "x" and seal back the case. The reason was that since they were selling these at closeout prices ($37.00 per case), they wanted to show a difference in the product so someone could not buy it at closeout and then to return it at full price.

Also, the ride home was fun. A full case fit perfectly between the two front seats and I opened these packs the whole way home. I usually got a total of 3 Marinos and Elways in those boxes.

The good old days....................

Good Luck,
Bob

CDsNuts · July 27, 2007 4:54AM

Good story, and good point about the fact that many of the boxes never hit the shelves.

BobS · July 27, 2007 5:04AM

$37 a case. My oh my. Just like the 86 fleer basketball I bought for $11 a box.

I guess it's a crap shoot concerning the history of the box. I'm pretty sure I can sell the packs and make a small profit. And if by chance there are a few packs with stars showing, that would be just a little bonus.

BobS · July 30, 2007 5:11AM

Update -

Well, the seller accepted my best offer, so I guess now I'm stuck with a box of 84 football cello's (could be worse, eh?).

Anyway, since the box is graded, and the flip did say from a sealed case, I guess I didn't look at the pic that closely, but it does appear that the preforations on the lid are still in tact (at least it looks that way). I assume that would mean the box hasn't been shuffled through, correct?

84 FB cello boxes

Comments