Calling 80's wax pack experts (not named Gary)

frankhardy · December 15, 2008 11:47AM

I need a tutorial. How can I tell if a wax pack has been opened and resealed? I have some wax boxes from the early to mid 80's that I am suspecting. Help needed. Thanks.

frankhardy · December 15, 2008 1:22PM

Pretty please?

MeteoriteGuy · December 15, 2008 1:23PM

Roller marks

lawnmowerman · December 15, 2008 1:32PM

A couple hints for examining wax packs that I've pieced together through the years.

1) The seal. These were made by literally melting the wax in the paper. A re-sealed pack might be too tight because it was made with glue. Or it might have been sealed with an iron or something that was too hot and left a brown burn.

2) The wrapper. Sometimes scammers will make the wrapper too tight. Usually there is at least a little slack in the wrapping because the cards were packed tightly together. If the wrapper feels it was made as tight as possible, that's probably not right. Also, the creases in the wrapper might not match up with the edges of the cards. Also, tears in the wrapper are kind of a red flag.

3) The gum (or sticker or puzzle piece or whatever). Learn the placement and size of the gum. Most years it was put in the front of the pack, but some years in the middle or back. This might change mid-year, though. Also, the size and shape can be an indicator. And if the gum is broken but still generally in a rectangular shape, that's probably a good sign that the pack hasn't been opened.

Other red or yellow flags that might indicate searching: if the box is shrinkwrapped or taped shut, as they weren't set out like that originally. If the box is really beat up and the packs are clean and sharp, or vice versa. If the packs are facing different ways inside the box.

If you are planning to keep the boxes whole, that's really about all you can do (in addition to the research you've already done). If you plan to open them at some point, you might go ahead and open one or two. Things to check for are wax and gum stains on the appropriate cards, consistent condition and the orientation within the pack. When resealing, scammers often will just throw cards in there any old way. And the correct brands and years. While there have been examples of previous year cards being in a pack, that is exceedingly rare.

Somebody once helped me out with this info and I saved it.

tennesseebanker · December 15, 2008 1:33PM

Im Barry, Is that too close to Gary to be of any assistance ??

lawnmowermanswife · December 15, 2008 1:36PM

I have an Uncle Gary. I also know nothing about wax packs.

lawnmowerman · December 15, 2008 1:37PM

<< I have an Uncle Gary. I also know nothing about wax packs. >>

No but he can sure gig him some frogs though..lol

tennesseebanker · December 15, 2008 1:38PM

Dem Frog Legs be some good eatin..............

lsutigers1973 · December 15, 2008 1:38PM

I saw Tonya naked.

lawnmowerman · December 15, 2008 1:40PM

<< I saw Tonya naked. >>

thats neked

tennesseebanker · December 15, 2008 1:41PM

>

Who Hasn't ??

lawnmowermanswife · December 15, 2008 1:42PM

um what?

lawnmowermanswife · December 15, 2008 1:42PM

<< >

Who Hasn't ?? >>

LOL.

lawnmowerman · December 15, 2008 1:42PM

<< >

Who Hasn't ?? >>

Me

lawnmowermanswife · December 15, 2008 1:43PM

Mike - swartz1
Mary Ann - nam812
Cory - sportsamerica
Rob (middle name) - fattymacs
Mike - justmichael
Ross - BunchOBull
Matt - Lawnmowerman
Paul - Perkdog
Mark - MeteoriteGuy
Mike - VitoCo1972
Chris - cwazzy
Meltdown - Blackborder
Dan - dan8402
Mike- mickeymantle24
Donato - divecchia
Cory - Fur72
Don - Clemaz
Michael - Goot
Charles - Piman58
Darin- Darin
Michael - Mphilking
Bill - BassPro77
Ryan - BigDaddyBowman
Tommy - Corvette1340
Poindexter [but you can call me Charlie] - FanOf390
Scott - MuckyMutt
Rube = Rube (whatelse )
Ralph - Brick
jeff -nascar20
Jeff - jeffcbay
Michael - msassin
Doug - Dboneesq
Mike - zep33
David - LD_Ferg
Chad - 123Slider
Mike - mknez
Mike - thekid8
Doran - HeritageAddict
Brian - Bman90278
Tonya - lawnmowermanswife
Chuck - THE HUN
Andrew-Mccardguy1
Zoltar - jswieton
Myles Long-tennesseebanker

lawnmowermanswife · December 15, 2008 1:44PM

<< 

<< >

Who Hasn't ?? >>

Me

>>

Me Either

jswieton · December 15, 2008 1:44PM

Look at the fold on the corners of the pack.

lsutigers1973 · December 15, 2008 1:47PM

On a serious note, I consider myself an expert on 80s junk wax and my name is not Gary. I am skinny. He is fat. I am drunk. He is....anyway...

First, all 80s wax packs were sealed with the roller as mentioned above. It is very difficult to reseal the packs and match up the roller marks. The marks should be clearly visble if you tilt the packs in a bright light.

Second, if the back of the packs do not open with relative ease, they are resealed. You should be able to open the packs with one hand by simply sliding the overlaying flap with your thumb. The only exceptions will be 1981 and 82 Donruss (I have no idea why but they tend to stick like weak glue) and 1984 Topps (Again, I have no idea why but this is just from experience).

The easiest way to tell is the corners on the back. If you see any extra folds on the corners, it is definitely resealed.

If all else fails, open one pack and send me the sequence of the cards in the one pack.

lsutigers1973 · December 15, 2008 1:47PM

I didn't see my name on the list.

tennesseebanker · December 15, 2008 1:51PM

I am not a 80's Junk wax expert but I have extensive experience in seeing people naked.
one general rule is to never mention anything about roller marks,flaps,or folds if you ever want to see the person naked again.

lsutigers1973 · December 15, 2008 2:12PM

I just tell my wife she is a 10...well at least that is her jean size.

summerof68 · December 15, 2008 2:15PM

Without question the most sure-fired characteristic to look for is the "roller-marks" on the reverse of the wax pak. These are very thin, hairline horizontal lines imbedded in the wax wrapper by the roller as it passed across the hot wax on the surface of the wrapper. The lines will cross over both rear vertical flaps and they will match up perfectly as they meet at the "union" of the two flaps. Use a magnifying glass and tilt the pak against the light and you will easily see these lines. They must line up EXACTLY. If they are slightly off, even minutely off, then the pak has been resealed. Rarely can you see these roller lines when looking at a picture of a pak on ebay. But since you have the paks in your possession then the roller line test is the criteria to use. I'm quite sure that there are crooks out there who are very good at resealing wax paks with matching roller lines but I would guess they would reserve this time consuming "criminal" behavior for much more expensive vintage paks such as 1973 and before.

rube26105 · December 15, 2008 2:16PM

<No but he can sure gig him some frogs though..lol>

+1 for drunk neked frog giggin, just not here ,its 23

lsutigers1973 · December 15, 2008 2:26PM

Hi Rube!

It's 30 here and raining. They are talking about closing the schools tomorrow. I love the South.

nam812 · December 15, 2008 2:41PM

Tonya sure loves those half face pictures/avatars. Me, I like flipping them and making them into a whole face.

Legal Disclaimer: This not what I think Tonya looks like, it is only her "half face" avatar flipped and put together to make a whole face.

Blackborder · December 15, 2008 2:45PM

julen23 · December 16, 2008 5:18AM

my brother was climbing a fence as a kid & got his scrotum caught on a barb.

tore that mutha open, no -ish.

(just sharing war stories here...)

j

jswieton · December 16, 2008 5:42AM

<< my brother was climbing a fence as a kid & got his scrotum caught on a barb.

tore that mutha open, no -ish.

(just sharing war stories here...)

j >>

You should be banned from the site for makeing me picture that scenario in my mind. OUCH!!

MBMiller25 · December 16, 2008 7:58AM

<< got his scrotum caught on a barb >>

I just about puked while reading that line.

Calling 80's wax pack experts (not named Gary)

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