1962 Topps unopened pack -- PSA 7?

HoofHearted · December 6, 2009 9:08AM

I've been keeping an eye on this auction for a '62 Topps wax pack, but it's going beyond my budget. I'm not even sure which series it is, so I'm not going to bid. I was surprised to see some tears in the paper. If that's a PSA 7, I'd hate to see what a 3, 4 or 5 looks like. Guess I'd better get more familiar with the grading standards...

daddymc · December 6, 2009 9:38AM

I think this was discussed before regarding a different pack, but the one thing the slab does not protect against is the gum within the pack itself from moving around. The pack was likely in better condition when it was graded, but from handling or shipment, the gum has moved around and torn the wrapper of the pack.

divecchia · December 6, 2009 9:47AM

In my opinion that is no longer a PSA 7 pack. I would not bid on it.

All you would be buying is the holder...Donato

SidePocket · December 6, 2009 9:47AM

That would be FUN to rip.

divecchia · December 6, 2009 9:49AM

Also noticed they do not accept returns on graded packs...Donato

divecchia · December 6, 2009 9:50AM

<< That would be FUN to rip. >>

If buying it that's what I would do with it. As for resale or investment it would not be worth it.

Donato

stevek · December 6, 2009 10:05AM

Cheap enough price though still.

MULLINS5 · December 6, 2009 10:08AM

<< Also noticed they do not accept returns on graded packs...Donato >>

most sellers don't.

leftofdial · December 6, 2009 10:14AM

For an authentic unopened pack, I think it went fairly cheap. I also give the seller credit for all the pics showing prospective buyers exactly what kind of shape it was currently in.

Some sellers show you one fuzzy pic and take the buyer beware mentality. I doubt that the winner of this is going to expect more than he/she gets, but they sure might have with just a single crappy pic

HoofHearted · December 6, 2009 10:15AM

<< If buying it that's what I would do with it. As for resale or investment it would not be worth it.
Donato >>

Definitely my thought on the deal. I was thinking of buying a '62T unopened to go with my Set Registry. That'd be a nice touch for (if and) when I finish it. Sixty-four percent and climbing...

summerof68 · December 6, 2009 10:29AM

daddymck is absolutely correct. I've seen numerous PSA & Gai 10 wax packs that have tears in the wrapper. This is because the wax packs were 10's at the time they were slabbed but the wrappers have experienced tears from shipping, handling etc. at a later date.

This is the one big gamble with wax packs. The condition you send it in to be slabbed is quite often no longer the condition it will be when it returns. When it comes to slabbed wax packs it is important to buy the (current) condition of the pack and not necessarily the condition listed on the flip.

Bosox1976 · December 6, 2009 10:31AM

I wish I'd have seen that

packCollector · December 6, 2009 10:56AM

I jsut sold this pack which was formally a psa 9. it happens , psa is aware of it and they are working to fix the problem.

61 fleer psa pack auction

as for the 62 , in any condition that is a great price for an authentic pack

flatfoot816 · December 6, 2009 12:33PM

if I am not mistaken, Dan Dee Deals has had a checkered past with unopened stuff. Tough to keep up with all the questionable dealers, am I mistaken? That may account for the low bid amongst the experienced unopened collectors.

Griffins · December 6, 2009 12:42PM

This is the reason I think it's completely pointless to grade packs- just authenticate them.Better to judge the eye appeal on your own, at the time of purchase, because it could very likely have changed since the pack was slabbed.
Same deal with Topps '68 3d's and Kellogg's 3d's. It is not uncommon for them to crack after being slabbed, which is usually an automatic 3.

Elemenopeo · December 6, 2009 1:08PM

Speaking from somewhat limited experience, I have to think that any tear in the wrapper caused by the gum happened long before the slabbing. I can't imagine a piece of gum that old is not stuck to a card, let alone moving around enough within a pack and within a slab to cause that much damage.

Beezer12 · December 6, 2009 1:46PM

In a tightly packaged parcel the only thing that is relatively free to move when a postie tosses a box on a conveyor is the gum. I guess they aren't held tightly enough top to bottom in the holder. I've had it happen several times with GAI and I've heard from others that PSA holders are also prone to this. Very annoying to say the least.
I hope they are successful in improving their holders if they're looking in to it. It's also the main reason I won't crossover packs as they end up crossing the country several times before getting back to me. Not worth the risk.
I agree with Griffins in that grading packs is pretty much pointless. The level of subjectivity in assigning a number grade to packs is quite great as compared to cards because they are basically covered in aesthetic flaws anyways and in my experience doesn't tell me anything i can't see from a decent picture or scan. The only thing that really matters is the opinion one pays for on authenticity.
I think they might have done better to just have an authentic slab, save on travel time and handling and therefore reduce costs for collectors to submit them. The interest a competitive registry creates in their service is too attractive to ignore though from a marketing stand point, can't blame them.

Griffins · December 6, 2009 2:20PM

Bryan, when a pack is not slabbed its held firmly and securely when being handled. Once it's slabbed it's not held as firmly, as the holder has it secured. As such, the gum can and often does come loose, and shake around, against the sides of the wrapper. Gum that old is usually hard as a rock (and tastes like crap, but that is another story) and the sharp corners make quick work of the wrapper. I've got a few like that, which is why they don't get handled much.

Beezer, PSA has been grading packs since October '06. They took years to implement a registry for them, and even now it has very little interest. I don't really see many picking up packs for their sets, probably in part because PSA never included packs in the card set registry for each year, as had been originally suggested by Joe.

HoofHearted · December 6, 2009 2:26PM

<< I wish I'd have seen that

>>

Mike -- would you have busted that baby open the minute you received it?? Maybe I SHOULD have bought that one.

BTW, the seller could've perhaps gotten the bidding higher if s/he knew the series of the pack. You'd think PSA would put it on the label, too, if it's possible to tell.

Here is how varied the prices range for the graded unopened '62Ts:

packCollector · December 6, 2009 11:06PM

<< Speaking from somewhat limited experience, I have to think that any tear in the wrapper caused by the gum happened long before the slabbing. I can't imagine a piece of gum that old is not stuck to a card, let alone moving around enough within a pack and within a slab to cause that much damage. >>

unfortunately not the case, the pack I listed came from a box and was slabbed a 9. I sold it and shipped it and the wrapper got shredded in shipping and there was actually a piece of gum inside the holder outside of the pack. Psa corrected this pack as it was obvious where the damage came from

1962 Topps unopened pack -- PSA 7?

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