1952 Topps Pack

Charlie9 · May 21, 2008 2:42AM

I know this is dreaming as this would take alot of guts but on the random chance anyone would be interested in that 1952 Topps Wax pack on Steve's site...maybe we could work a group break. I'd love to do it and can provide lots of references but because of my shorter history here on PSA if someone else wants to take this on that's OK too...I would just like to see it done.

1952 Topps Wax Pack PSA 6 - (5 cards) Group Rip
Do a live rip on Youtube and split up the cost by slots this way...

Sell the wrapper - not sure how much they go for?

Card 1 - $800
Card 2 - $1200
Card 3 - $1500
Card 4 - $1200
Card 5 - $400

That's $5,100 plus the wrapper sale which could be enough to buy the thing.

Anybody crazy enough to do this? I could be up for card #2 if there are any other takers. I know it's nuts but think how fun that would be. If the participants were close enough in location it could even be done in person (I'm in Minneapolis).

If nothing else for just conversation...how would you alter the pricing on the slots if you were to organize something like this?

storm888 · May 21, 2008 3:09AM

This pack has been considered previously.

If I recall correctly, it is not possible to determine what
series the subject pack is from. Thus, only the downside
can be calculated; that is not necessarily a bad thing,
but it does cause interest to be lower.

Anybody who enters such a scheme nees to be prepared
to lose at least one-half of his/her investment.

A communist break with 50-shares available is probably
the best way to organize that pack. An ala carte of the
cards is a tough sell.

Griffins · May 21, 2008 3:10AM

It sounds like fun but chances are you'd be throwing a lot of money away. Packs are worth more than the sum of their parts, unless you get incredibly lucky and pull a key card that is centered without dinged corners and wax stains. It'd be more fun to do it at the National with a crowd and you might get a few more takers. And Steve might work with you a bit if you did it at his table- he's an incredibly great guy to do business with.
For price reference the '52 pack in REA last week went for $4600. There was one in another auction last fall that went for about $3400.

BobS · May 21, 2008 3:11AM

No offense to Steve, but graded 52 packs show up on e-bay from time to time and go for a lot less.

I got married last June, and had one on my watch list (graded PSA 6 I think). I told my wife to be that I wanted that to be my wedding gift. At the time, Steve had one for an even 5K on his site. I convinced her the e-bay auction would go lower, and it would be a geat item to hold onto for a few years and then flip. The auction was closing at around 10:00am on a Tuesday or something. At around 9:45 I sent her an e-mail, stating the auction was at $3,900 with just a few minutes left. I again asked her if I could get it as a gift. Around 9:57 she replied "if you really want it, then yes. Just don't go ver over 4K". It blew my mind. I hit the bid button on the auction page with about a minute left, and I froze like a scared little boy. I had the go-ahead. The tower waived me in. Got the all clear. I just couldn't do it. The auction ended at $3,900. Who knows if 4k would have got it, but would have been great if it did.

Sorry to ramble on - just another stupid "what if" story.

Cheers -
Bob

cohocorp · May 21, 2008 3:18AM

there are 6 cards in the 5 cent wax pack of 1952 topps, not 5 cards.

nice wrappers go for about $150

steve told me this is a consigment item so he doesnt have room to move on this item by the way. i bought a 1952 topps mantle psa 5 from him for just under $17,000, so he knew i was serious when i asked about the pack.

pat

VitoCo1972 · May 21, 2008 3:19AM

<< No offense to Steve, but graded 52 packs show up on e-bay from time to time and go for a lot less.

I got married last June, and had one on my watch list (graded PSA 6 I think). I told my wife to be that I wanted that to be my wedding gift. At the time, Steve had one for an even 5K on his site. I convinced her the e-bay auction would go lower, and it would be a geat item to hold onto for a few years and then flip. The auction was closing at around 10:00am on a Tuesday or something. At around 9:45 I sent her an e-mail, stating the auction was at $3,900 with just a few minutes left. I again asked her if I could get it as a gift. Around 9:57 she replied "if you really want it, then yes. Just don't go ver over 4K". It blew my mind. I hit the bid button on the auction page with about a minute left, and I froze like a scared little boy. I had the go-ahead. The tower waived me in. Got the all clear. I just couldn't do it. The auction ended at $3,900. Who knows if 4k would have got it, but would have been great if it did.

Sorry to ramble on - just another stupid "what if" story.

Cheers -
Bob >>

Too many other nice things out there that could be had for $4k. Why wouldn't you buy a 51 Bowman Willie Mays PSA 7 for $3500 and spend the extra $500 on your wife! :-)

stevek · May 21, 2008 3:33AM

In my opinion, unfortunately, I believe the chances of losing money buying that pack are close to 100%, and might even be 100%. And it could be a lot of money lost. But if some members here do it, and rip it live, I wish them all possible success - you'd have a big audience for that rip no doubt about that.

digicat · May 21, 2008 3:47AM

Joe Orlando did a great write up in one of the past SMR's where he describes a guy who walked up to the PSA desk at a card show and busted a 1952 Topps pack right there and handed the cards in for grading. The guy basically paid thousands of dollars for a 30 second thrill ride that ended with a swift kick to the groin.

Save your money. I'll give you 5 kicks to your groin for half the price, plus I'll throw in an extra one for free.... and you can keep the shoe.

BobS · May 21, 2008 3:58AM

<< Too many other nice things out there that could be had for $4k. Why wouldn't you buy a 51 Bowman Willie Mays PSA 7 for $3500 and spend the extra $500 on your wife! :-) >>

I was never really serious with her when I requested that as a gift. A 4k wedding gift, I could never live with myself. She's an MD, and has the $, but that's just too much.

In the end we decided not to buy each other gifts.

I of course went behind her back and bought her some bling. She did not go behind my back and I got bubkis. Well, not really bubkis. I got a wife that would give me 4k to spend on a whim. And now we're remodeling our basement and she is allowing me to spend some coin on the "decorations" to make up for the wedding gift. The theme is of course sports bar. Having a blast buying jerseys, 8x10's, etc.

Back to the origanal topic.

I'd be in on a multi (and I mean 15+ multi) way split, with the pack being purchased and opened at the National, then handed directly to JOE O. for grading, with all 6 cards and the wrapper on e-bay the next week. Heck, you never know.

Charlie9 · May 21, 2008 4:13AM

Don't get me wrong I would never go into ripping this expecting to make money on it...only a fool would think that realistically. Sure there's the chance and that's always a major part of the fun...but the majority of the cost is going towards the experience. How many people have ripped one of these... not too many for sure and I bet they still remember peeling back the wrapper and the look of each card as they did it. To me that's worth at least half the cost right there. And I read the story about the pack that was opened at the National and there were only 5 cards in that so I assumed that was the regular distribution was it not?

All that being said, I agree it would be better as a rip at a big show and that a nice PSA graded pack can be had for less if you're patient. The only trouble about a 15 or 20 way split is of course that it means that all the cards would be sold at auction to split the loss/gain and I would much rather keep a card as a memory of the experience. But...if someone tries to organize this at a 20 way split (figure $4,500 plus $100 in grading fees comes out to about $230pp.............I'd be in if I knew I could be there to see it ripped.

nam812 · May 21, 2008 4:36AM

<< In my opinion, unfortunately, I believe the chances of losing money buying that pack are close to 100%, and might even be 100%. And it could be a lot of money lost. But if some members here do it, and rip it live, I wish them all possible success - you'd have a big audience for that rip no doubt about that. >>

You think it's a bad idea? Really? That's so unlike you.

mikeschmidt · May 21, 2008 4:45AM

Well -- it would never truly be a 100% chance of losing money.

Andy Pafko PSA 10 was pulled from a pack about 10-12 years ago, and sold for $83,870. Very much a lottery outcome....but it is possible, despite being highly exceptionally unlikely.

lsutigers1973 · May 21, 2008 5:10AM

I'm in. I aint skeered.

Charlie9 · May 21, 2008 5:40AM

<< I'm in. I aint skeered. >>

That's the spirit...only 18 more to go!

CDsNuts · May 21, 2008 5:58AM

I believe the chances of losing money buying that pack are close to 100%, and might even be 100%. And it could be a lot of money lost.

So you're saying that there isn't one EX-MT 1952 Topps pack anywhere that will yield more than $5,000 in singles? You're not so good with odds; no wonder your foray into the world of poker ended badly.

The value of true vintage packs are driven by the rarity of the pack rather than would could be inside. Ask Griffins or bobscards or anybody else that collects vintage packs. They will happily drop $1,000 on an ultra rare wax tray or oddball/test pack from the 70s which will probably only yield $40 in cards because the pack is seen so infrequently. Ripping something like a 52 pack would likely be an exercise in throwing away money because you probably spent $3,000 on rarity, and that flies out the window the second you open the back flap.

I would roughly estimate the value of 6 random 52 Topps cards at around $2,000, so that's probably what you should pay for it if you wanted to rip it. Of course there aren't many packs that cost less than the average breakup value, so you're going to pay a premium on just about any wax pack you decide to bust. But 150% is a pretty high premium.

Lee

Charlie9 · May 21, 2008 6:09AM

Again...I know realisticly this will not be a money maker...but I see two reasons why someone may want to get involved in something like this (and I don't care which of the 2 you are as long as you're willing to put up a couple hundred bucks towards the cause). You get involved because;

You're a gambler...you like the thrill or possibility of the big hit like the Mantle and even though the odds are clearly against you... it's the thrill of the "possibilities" that draw you in.

You're an "experience seeker"... opening vintage wax has an entertainment value that shouldn't be disregarded. I'd pay money to see a 52T pack opened even if it wasn't mine...but knowing that I had a stake in it makes it all that much more special and I for one would at least have the memory of being involved in a rip like this. That's why I would only do it if I could be present at the rip because to me the memory it makes is a value that you didn't work into your equation.

CDsNuts · May 21, 2008 6:13AM

You're preaching to the choir because I've opened my fair share of vintage stuff knowing I was probably going to lose money, but people should know what they're getting into before they plunk down $500 on something.

StanTheManMusial · May 21, 2008 6:19AM

Lee,

You hit the nail on the head with your last post. It's just something very cool about an unopened pack. I guess it's the fact that the imagination can run wild with the "what if" possibilites, of what the pack might contain.

Personally, I do not have the stomach or nerve to bust a 52' Topps pack, but must say it would be neat to see it done, as long as my money was not involved. A bit selfish, huh?

CDsNuts · May 21, 2008 6:23AM

Please, if I won the World Series of Poker this year the first thing I'd do is order both packs and open one of them. Kind of like Charles Barkley- if you can afford to gamble and you enjoy it, why not?

RonBurgundy · May 21, 2008 6:42AM

What Griffins said. Plus, people who bust unopened packs that old are essentially destroying a neat piece of collectible history. Count me out.

RB

Charlie9 · May 21, 2008 7:04AM

I understand that point of view as well but i also have trouble with the notion that old things (whatever they might be) should be stored for eternity or even placed in a museum for that matter as some things are meant to be experienced. The pack rip would be an experience for all that watched it in person, all that had a part in it, and all that watched it later on Youtube or whatever other source to share the experience. To me that is just as valuable as leaving it sealed for all to wonder what could be inside. My .02

TNTonPMS · May 21, 2008 7:18AM

"Ripping something like a 52 pack would likely be an exercise in throwing away money because you probably spent $3,000 on rarity, and that flies out the window the second you open the back flap."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chances are , that back flap has already been opened previously anyway , I don't care who graded it as unopened, that's a bunch of crap .

There are way too many city slickers in this hobby, I just have a hard time swallowing the idea that there are any unopened packs that could possibly contain a $50,000 or more card .

If I "knew" I was getting a fair shake I'd do it in a heartbeat .

All that money to look through a searched pack though , that is not in my vocabulary .

There couldn't be an easier pack to reseal I/M/O

stevek · May 21, 2008 7:21AM

<< Well -- it would never truly be a 100% chance of losing money.

Andy Pafko PSA 10 was pulled from a pack about 10-12 years ago, and sold for $83,870. Very much a lottery outcome....but it is possible, despite being highly exceptionally unlikely. >>

My meaning on that "100%" was that if the pack was resealed - then yes, there would be a 100% chance of losing money, and frankly...I believe the chances of vintage packs being resealed is very, VERY high.

It is was 100% certain that the pack wasn't resealed, then I would definitely buy-in here. But I don't want the "experience" of spending money on a slabbed pack, busting it, and then knowing that it was resealed - too aggravating for me.

But to each his own and good luck if going through with the venture.

Steve

StanTheManMusial · May 21, 2008 7:23AM

TNT, I agree with your feelings. I guess just knowing how simple they are sealed together just scares the heck out of me when it comes to paying that kind of money.

stevek · May 21, 2008 7:25AM

<< 

<< In my opinion, unfortunately, I believe the chances of losing money buying that pack are close to 100%, and might even be 100%. And it could be a lot of money lost. But if some members here do it, and rip it live, I wish them all possible success - you'd have a big audience for that rip no doubt about that. >>

You think it's a bad idea? Really? That's so unlike you. >>

If it's a sucker's game, an ebay scam, or something such as that then I'm gonna call it out. To me it's the right thing to do.

Steve

perkdog · May 21, 2008 7:29AM

I was actually considering this about 6 months ago maybe? I remember I got alot of interest, the way I was thinking of doing it if I remeber correctly was have like 50 people get involved but after thinking about it and consulting with a few guys here I bailed on the idea. I like the way your planning it though- I think your way of doing it would work much better even though its a tough call spending 1K+ on just one of the cards in the middle. Its a gamble but who knows? You could pull a big name player and it could get an 8 grade and there ya go!

Best of luck if it takes off!

zep33 · May 21, 2008 7:44AM

give me a call when you have a wax box to rip

lsutigers1973 · May 21, 2008 9:17AM

If we got a pack, ripped it and thought it was resealed, we could just put the cards back in the wrapper and send it to GAI. They will still authenticate it as unopened.

RipublicaninMass · May 21, 2008 9:58AM

I plan on buying one someday, Lothar and I are going to split the gum

grote15 · May 21, 2008 12:43PM

The temptation of what lies within a 1952 wax pack is so great, I'd be very skeptical about the authenticity of such a pack for purchase, even if it were in a holder. Also, even if the pack were authentic, at least one of the cards is going to be damaged by gum, and when there's only 6 cards in a pack, that's a sigtnificant consideration to take into account. The Pafko card was nestled right in the middle of the pack, if memory serves. Still, if I had the money to blow, that would be one heckuva thrill to open a truly authentic 52 wax pack, no matter what cards you pull!

stevek · May 21, 2008 6:46PM

<< The temptation of what lies within a 1952 wax pack is so great, I'd be very skeptical about the authenticity of such a pack for purchase, even if it were in a holder. Also, even if the pack were authentic, at least one of the cards is going to be damaged by gum, and when there's only 6 cards in a pack, that's a sigtnificant consideration to take into account. The Pafko card was nestled right in the middle of the pack, if memory serves. Still, if I had the money to blow, that would be one heckuva thrill to open a truly authentic 52 wax pack, no matter what cards you pull! >>

I completely agree with that. If it was 100% certain that a 52 pack was truly unopened, I'd gladly pay $1,000 for a shot at one card or even $5,000 for the pack. I'd love to bust a 62 pack, my favorite Topps year, but I don't even trust those to be genuine, let alone a 52 pack. I've seen too many threads here, and too many threads elsewhere, of total disappointment busting vintage packs, to believe otherwise.

-

TNTonPMS · May 21, 2008 9:19PM

"I completely agree with that. If it was 100% certain that a 52 pack was truly unopened, I'd gladly pay $1,000 for a shot at one card or even $5,000 for the pack."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm with that . . . only thing is I wouldn't want to split it with anyone , I'm greedy like that , I want all the cards from that pack .

The thrill of opening up a truely untouched pack of 52's would be intense . . .I might look at the pack for a little while before opening it , maybe call in the witch doctor for a little hocus pocus mojo action too, call in the Rabi and the priest , the Pope and the pastor to bless them and the whole 9

Don't touch em . . .just bless em I said !

But basically if I knew for sure , I'd do it in a second .

TJMAC · May 21, 2008 9:33PM

Wow, what a fun rip that would be!!! I could never do it though. I would rather spend the 1K on a card I knew was worth it. However, if you are a gambler and had the money that would be a pretty big thrill.

1952 Topps Pack

Comments