Graded Pack Wall Displays

indiana9495 · December 11, 2009 5:40AM

I mentioned in another thread my attempts to start a graded pack collection. Now that I have quite a few, I'm looking for a good way to display them. Pennzoni doesn't make display cases for graded packs. I know that some people on the board have some great display cases. Would anyone care to provide some pics and instructions on how to build them? I'd like to display 20-25 wax and cello PSA graded packs.

dzolot · December 11, 2009 5:48AM

Great post. I am interested in this as well!! You can see some of my vintage packs in my youtube video (see link below).

indiana9495 -- what packs do you have? Would be great to see scans and/or a video.

Downtown1974 · December 11, 2009 5:56AM

Griffins has a display that is just incredible. Looks like something from an auction book or museum. I will see if I can find it in an older thread.

Downtown1974 · December 11, 2009 6:05AM

His collection is on the first page.Here it is.

Griffins · December 11, 2009 6:43AM

you rang

need to update it and bring the packs out of the SD box for a new shot.

zep33 · December 11, 2009 6:50AM

incredible

fattymacs · December 11, 2009 6:50AM

I never get tired of those pictures, super stuff.

artistlost · December 11, 2009 6:53AM

Griffins,

Ever think about having PSA cross these over? I would assume (and mean no disrespect by this) that you are sure that none of the backs have been searched? They truly are a thing of beauty! and everyone is correct that your display is amazing.

mathew

Downtown1974 · December 11, 2009 6:56AM

It makes me want to start a pack collection. Thanks for sharing!

Griffins · December 11, 2009 7:10AM

Mathew, no offense taken, it's a legit question. While GAI has had good moments they've had a lot of bad ones too, and everything with their name on it does and should raise more suspicion than those cards and packs in other holders.
A lot of the packs came from Steve Hart, so I"m comfortable with that. Some came from finds, like the '54 Canadian find, the Sport Kings, find, etc.
I had 4 packs slabbed by PSA when they first started grading packs, and didn't like the holder. I had them crossed back into GAI.
Before I started buying packs I read Murphy's book over and over, talked to everyone that would talk to me about packs and resealers, and do not try and buy packs at unreasonably low prices. Provenance is critical and is worth paying for, as is buying from Steve.
I did get 2 bad packs early on from a noted collector/resealer, a '62 and a '63. When I learned a lot more I went thru everything, had my suspicions about just those and ripped them open. Sure enough they were bad.
As long as you have peace of mind that the packs are good there is nothing nicer than a run of unopened packs. The graphics are indicative of the era, they display very well (but be very sure to have UV glass, avoid florescent lights and direct sunlight, as wax fades easily) and will only get tougher to find as time goes on. I've got no reason to rip, just wish I could display them all the time.

bishop · December 11, 2009 7:15AM

Never get tired of looking at your packs and boxes, Anthony. Now, what again is your address ?

Griffins · December 11, 2009 7:26AM

Al, you just sent me a Xmas card today, you know the address! We'll leave the light on for you.
Oh the packs? They're sitting at BofA, you'll need a key and my signature

dzolot · December 11, 2009 7:29AM

<< you rang

need to update it and bring the packs out of the SD box for a new shot.
>>

Griffin,

Those are incredible. Where did you get the display? / how did you make it? I need one!!!!

dont' know if i'm more jelouse of the case or what's inside!!!

Griffins · December 11, 2009 7:38AM

the yellow wooden display was made by a friend of mine to hold CD's. When I ripped everything into itunes I found it fit GAI's holders perfectly.
Eventually I got worried about UV light and had a proper case built. After looking at different companies for about 6 months I decided on THIS one, and he did an amazing job. He had some really incredible work in his shop as well, obviously is the go to guy for a lot of high end collectors and could not have been better to work with. I think it was just under $500 with uv glass, locks, and sales tax. I picked it up so there was no delivery charge, but would think that would be about the same as sales tax, so it's one or the other.
Highly, highly recommended.

dzolot · December 11, 2009 7:53AM

Thanks!!

I wonder if the "oversized" sports cabinet would fit a gai / psa holder...

http://www.sportsdisplays.com/oversized-sports-card-cabinet-c-254-p-1-pr-16386.html

Griffins · December 11, 2009 8:09AM

I'd call him, he was great to deal with. I think his name is Mark, but it's been a couple of years. He works out of his house, and it's in Ventura, so he's on pacific time.

indiana9495 · December 11, 2009 12:52PM

WOW! I love the display Griffins, especially the top one. Are the shelves thick enough for cellos, or just wax? When working with Sports Displays, did you just ask them to make a standard PSA card frame deeper to hold packs?

dzolot - I have wax packs of 72-85 (minus 76) baseball slabbed in PSA. I also have cellos from 78-85 baseball PSA. Football wise, I have a 76, 80, 82, and 83 cellos and wax from 84. I also have 1 86-87 Fleer slabbed from the group rip this summer/fall that I kept unopened. No scans yet, but I'm hopeful that my wife (Santa) got me the scanner I have been bugging her about.

Thanks for the great responses!

SidePocket · December 11, 2009 1:42PM

That is awesome, I'm afraid to even let anyone know I collect cards no less display them!

dzolot · December 11, 2009 3:00PM

<< WOW! I love the display Griffins, especially the top one. Are the shelves thick enough for cellos, or just wax? When working with Sports Displays, did you just ask them to make a standard PSA card frame deeper to hold packs?

dzolot - I have wax packs of 72-85 (minus 76) baseball slabbed in PSA. I also have cellos from 78-85 baseball PSA. Football wise, I have a 76, 80, 82, and 83 cellos and wax from 84. I also have 1 86-87 Fleer slabbed from the group rip this summer/fall that I kept unopened. No scans yet, but I'm hopeful that my wife (Santa) got me the scanner I have been bugging her about.

Thanks for the great responses! >>

Indiana - Sounds like a great collection. Love the wax and cello run!! of course one or the other would never do, you need both right!! What, no rack packs? haha... Hopefully you'll get that scanner from "santa" so you can share with the rest of us...

divecchia · December 11, 2009 4:09PM

Anthony...

I too never get tired of seeing those displays of unopened packs and boxes...

Donato

dzolot · December 11, 2009 11:50PM

Hey - anyone ever see an 1951 Bowman baseball pack? I REALLLY need one of those...

Griffins · December 12, 2009 12:51AM

There was one in the Rosen auction about 5 years ago, but nothing since then. High on my want list as well.

dzolot · December 12, 2009 1:28PM

Do you know how much it sold for? Thanks!

EAsports · December 12, 2009 2:03PM

I can't imagine how an unopened pack from the '50s lasts more than 3 minutes in your house.

It certainly wouldn't in mine.

gecko109 · December 12, 2009 3:05PM

<< Great post. I am interested in this as well!! You can see some of my vintage packs in my youtube video (see link below).

indiana9495 -- what packs do you have? Would be great to see scans and/or a video. >>

You say the word "great" a total of 233 times in just 8 minutes in that video.

Griffins · December 12, 2009 3:33PM

<< Do you know how much it sold for? Thanks! >>

I'll look it up tommorrow. The auction was really badly run, with a lot of bids not being entered and it closing abrubtly, so I'm not sure how real the prices are. Plus it was about 5 years ago.

TheCARDKid · December 12, 2009 4:26PM

That's an incredible display. Besides 51 bowman packs, 53 bowman is also extremely rare. I think there was a 53 bowman pack in a mastro/legendary auctions auction a few years ago.

What about a 56 Topps nickel pack? Another extremely rare pack that never shows up.

I remember that Mr Mint auction had a bunch of rare cellos from the 50's. Will probably never see them again.

Publius · December 12, 2009 4:27PM

Great stuff Anthony, thanks for posting those pictures. I missed out on seeing your collection last year, our flight left early I think (cant remember)

mikelowell25 · December 12, 2009 4:39PM

anthony, there wasnt a 51 bowman pack in mr mints april 2005 pack auction (i just looked through the catalog); there was 50, 52, 53 color cello, 54 and 55 (unless u're referring to a different auction of his, but as far as i know, he only had that one which was strictly packs).

Griffins · December 13, 2009 12:03AM

nope,that was the auction. Guess I haven't seen one at all in the last 4 years.

Griffins · December 13, 2009 12:04AM

dzolot · December 13, 2009 12:12AM

<< 

<< Great post. I am interested in this as well!! You can see some of my vintage packs in my youtube video (see link below).

indiana9495 -- what packs do you have? Would be great to see scans and/or a video. >>

You say the word "great" a total of 233 times in just 8 minutes in that video. >>

Ha!! Well... Thanks for watching?? Too bad the most lasting impression my video made is of my (VERY amateur) narrating!!

dzolot · December 13, 2009 12:23AM

<< the yellow wooden display was made by a friend of mine to hold CD's. When I ripped everything into itunes I found it fit GAI's holders perfectly.
Eventually I got worried about UV light and had a proper case built. After looking at different companies for about 6 months I decided on THIS one, and he did an amazing job. He had some really incredible work in his shop as well, obviously is the go to guy for a lot of high end collectors and could not have been better to work with. I think it was just under $500 with uv glass, locks, and sales tax. I picked it up so there was no delivery charge, but would think that would be about the same as sales tax, so it's one or the other.
Highly, highly recommended. >>

Griffins -- Thanks for all your great info. and insight. Don't the GAI and PSA cases provided UV protection? Are you just saying that you want UV glass as an extra layer of collection?

Griffins · December 13, 2009 1:02AM

no holder provides UV protection. And I've seen some very expensive cards (not mine) completely faded out by lighting and enviromental conditions.
The framed case I had made was built with UV museum glass. It's a relatively small upcharge, and should be the first thing specified.

TheCARDKid · December 13, 2009 1:00PM

<<

>>

Talk about rare. I think its the only 50's nickel pack that I've never seen a box or partial box of (besides 58). The others, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57 cello, 59 topps nickel, there have been boxes or partial boxes.

MULLINS5 · December 13, 2009 1:05PM

This post has me now collecting unopened hockey packs.

My question to everyone: I'm happy with ungraded packs as long as they are from BBCE so are there any pack cases, like top loaders, to hold and display them in?

Thanks,

Patrick

Beezer12 · December 13, 2009 5:33PM

Here's my effort. I went cheap with about $1.50 worth of pegboard, some 1x4's, wood screws and extra paint I had kicking around the garage. A couple of runs on the table saw and router for the 1x4's was the main extent of the work. The holders slide in the tracks from the side.

Griffins · December 13, 2009 5:47PM

Beezer- those are awesome! I've started on a run of non sport tv show issues from the '60's and early '70's, what is there and which ones were tough and which ones were easier?

indiana9495 · December 14, 2009 3:51AM

Beezer - I love the top display with 39 packs. That is exactly what I'm looking for. I'd prefer to make something rather than buy it. My packs are displayed in my basement rec room with little natural light hitting them. Why did you use pegboard? Thin and lightweight? What are the overall dimensions? Thanks!

Griffins · December 14, 2009 4:10AM

the packs might pop a bit more if you spraymounted black velvet or something similar to the pegboard.
Also, if you're routing the ledges already you could make the top and bottom ones stick out a bit more, and rout them to enable you to slide a pane of UV glass in there to protect them.

Graded Pack Wall Displays

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