Topps Wax Pack Run and Wrapper Run
 

I thought I would share a minor area of focus on my collection. Even though there are much more elaborate pack and wrapper collections out there, I think this is kind of neat.

As I work my way down completing Topps sets, which is currently from 1969 to 2013 Topps (base and traded), I am adding to those sets an unopened wax pack from every series and traded down to 1975, which is my birth year. Also, I am adding a wax wrapper from 1991 (last year of wax paper) on down as I complete my Topps sets. I have a 1969 on the way, so it is not pictured below.

I started this a few years ago and have enjoyed watching the collection grow. The 1975 pack is GAI authenticated. 1976 through 1991 were bought from BBCE, so they are authentic and unopened. Every series, along with traded/update series are included in the pack run.

The first picture is the wax wrapper collection. Many even have gum behind the wrapper! The following pictures are the pack run.


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0cbf9a29.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps50a61468.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps6c05cec5.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps395698e8.jpg

Neat Shane! I have done much the same thing. I tried to get from the year I was born-1978-through the end of wax. I stopped at 1991 as well. Did you get one of the cellophane wrapped ones from that year? I did just to show the transition. I then started working back. I made it to 1970, less the expensive 1971, before I had kids and had other things to do with bigger chunks of cash. I made a little shelf for mine. I will post a pic when I get home. Ran out of room. Need to make a new shelf. Are you going to keep going backwards?

Are yours packs or wrappers? Since you talked about the expensive 1971, I take it that you have packs. My packs just go back to 1975. The wrappers (first picture) go back to 1970 (with 1969 on the way).

My 1991 wrapper is wax, but my pack is plastic. Also, there is a 1989 plastic version as well as a wax version. I have both packs. I don't have a 1983 plastic pack (Michigan) though.

As far as the future, I plan on stopping the packs with 1975 because they just get too expensive. However, as I go backwards with my Topps sets, I will continue to get a wrapper. Now, if I get rich someday, I will definitely go back and get a pack from 1974 and down.

Mine are packs. My mom suggested to me when I started collecting that I save one pack from each year. I reluctantly did so. That gave me 1986 on. I started backwards on my own. The 1971 is just too pricey right now, as well as the 1960's stuff. The 1950's stuff is just ridiculous. I did pick up a stack of 5-6 1951 red back packs, and one blue back one about 15 years ago. Only paid $35 each for the reds. But other than those, I don't have any before 1970. I do have both variations of the 1974 pack, the "Bonus Team Checklist" one and the "All 660" one. Do you have the version of the 1994 pack that had sticks of bubble gum in them? They are a variant of that year that most people haven't seen. They were marketed in retail establishments like Target. Didn't sell well. You might also look for the 1985 one that doesn't have the year on it. That one is pretty common. I don't think they command any premium, but they are another variant.

I have never seen the 1989 plastic. I'll have to look for one.

Here is my little shelf.

kevin

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psc2cce47b.jpg

That is one fantastic display! I just have mine in a two row box right now. How pricey are 1971 packs? I have never priced one because I just do the wrappers before 1975.

I didn't know that about the 1994 packs. I really don't search for variations, but I keep them if I run across them.

'71 OPC look almost the same at half the price.It's a good way to cheat a run, '70 packs are cheap and that gets you thru the '70's
'60's aren't too bad but the '50s will kill you, if you can even find '56 and '58. You can always opt for penny packs on those.
Nice run Shane!

Clever idea. Think I may give this a shot

attention griffins!!
 

Have sent you two pm's since the beginning of december (on 12-2 and 12-12) and have yet to hear back from you. That being said, please check your pm inbox; thanks!!

Packs N Wrappers
 

Very nice Shane and Kevin. Agree with Anthony that the 71 OPC would look fine in a display and goes for a lot less money. Before getting a regular 71 pack I had bought an OPC pack by mistake.

He is also right that the 56 and 58 packs are the toughest of all. I have a Topps and Fleer run but have settled for penny packs on those two. You could likely buy a 52 pack in similar condition for less than a 56 or 58

Really? I had no idea. What is the explanation is to why 56 and 58 are so rare?

Pack Scarcity
 

There have been some high publicity finds of 52 packs, 54s and 55s too, but as far as I know none for 56 or 58s

How about a 1951 pack with Monte Irvin Visible

1951
 

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img071.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img072.jpg

Ok, Al...I get so pleased with myself and my little stash of redbacks and my one little blueback pack, and then you have to go and post that... Sheesh! :) One whale of a neat bit of 1951 Topps eye candy. Would love for a stash of the candy packs to surface. Complete with Connie Macks...

I feel very confident that someone out there has a few 56 and 58 packs...they just don't have any motivation to sell or publicize. And I would guess that the slabbed card craze has cost us a significant number (relatively speaking) of the surviving few packs from the 1950's. What kid in his right mind would have saved more than one or two of those? It was agony for me to save one each of the years I collected. I am just lucky that I can still relive my childhood for 20 bucks a box instead of 10k a pack...

1951
 

Tulsa--Hope you are right about a stash. Maybe Fritsch. There are at least 4 either Current or Connie Mack ASs in the pack in between the Red back panels. You can see the red front borders. Never seen an unopened 51 Candy pack, but have a set of the Connie Mack and Current All Stars( minus the unissued 3) , and a wrapper thanks to Ted Z.

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1388547830
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img069.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img070.jpg

Great Idea, I think I will start a project like yours with my 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl. Both love collecting old and new stuff. I was born in 1970, so I think I will start/ end there from 2013 on down pretty reasonable project until you reach the 1970's. Should been fun
Thanks
Mike

What about the 1989 Topps American Baseball packs issued over in England . I don't have mine available to scan right now

1989 American Baseball
 

I do have that set and a pack somewhere as well

Topps 1989 American Baseball
 

88 card set released in both US and UK

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1388682775

There was also an 88 set of 88

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1388683246

Tiffany
 

...and there was a Tiffany version of the 88 set

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1388777329

oh cmon don't you guys ever get the urge to rip those open and see if its holding any treasures? i don't think i would ever be able to handle having that many unopened packs sitting around. i applaud all those that can fight that temptation.

Yes. Yes I do. Which is why I have a couple of boxes to open and a whole pile of unopened boxes and packs that are off limits. The ones that are off limits are just fun to have. I guess I just have good restraint. Also the knowledge that the quickest way to turn 100 bucks into 1 dollar is to open a vintage pack that is full of commons.
Kevin

No
 

Mystery is always better than reality

Absolutely right Al! Love the mystery a lot better than what would undoubtedly be disappointment. I remember all too well opening piles of cheap packs trying unsuccessfully to find one particular card. I can't imagine taking that gamble with packs that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Shane-
Sorry for the delay. Here is the 1994 Topps pack with gum. Apparently a Series 2 pack, with only 6 cards. If I remember right, when I opened a couple of these, the gum is individually wrapped.
kevin

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psed4af959.jpg

Neat. I didn't know those existed.

Thanks to Scott (EsquireSports) for sending me a 1985 Topps unopened pack (no date variation). He sent it free of charge without me even inquiring about it. He just thought of me and this thread! Thanks so much, Scott!

It is a very unique looking. Picture a 1983 or 1981 Topps pack, but only red.

Kevin,

Any idea if there is a Series 1 1994 pack with gum?

1985
 

Very nice gesture Scott

Shane,
I only remember buying the Series 2 packs with gum. I just looked on ebay quickly, and there are a few Series 2 with gum packs but no series 1.
kevin

Shane, I have an extensive wrapper collection and I have never seen a 1994 Series 1 pack offering gum. Tom

Thanks for the info, Tom. I would love to see your wrapper collection. Post it here if you get a chance and if you want to, or if you want to start your own thread, that is fine too. I would just like to see them.