Factory Set Grades
 

I have what is probably a really dumb question. I have a bunch of 1970's and 1980's factory sets that I bought at the time and have never opened. My question is this: if I were to open the box and immediately have the cards slabbed, what distribution of grades would I expect to see? Or does it vary by year? (Not that I am thinking of doing this, but I am just curious to know what what the quality of cards straight from the factory are, according to the grading companies)

Good question. Due to off-centeredness, you'd likely have a lot of 8(OC)s. I'm sure there are a lot of corner dings since they've been jostled over and over again. There might be a couple of 10s, but paying $6/card for 700 cards would cost you $5000 to find out once you include return shipping/insurance.

DON'T OPEN THEM! At least if you are planning on selling them. Let the unopened material people gamble on possible 10's. Take the premium you will make selling into the unopened market and purchase the cards you want directly with the money.

Topps first factory set was exclusively in the J.C. Penney catalog in 1974.

I read that, too. Additionally, I read that Topps did not release any other factory sets until 1982. The OP should post pics of the sets of which he spake.

Please share pictures of the sets from the 70's. I would be very interested to see them.

Best regards,

Eric

Here's another question: do the mid-80s Topps sets show pictures of the cards on the box or are they "Tiffany" (dealer) sets?