When I first started collecting large dealers were buying vending cases from Topps in the late 60's & early 70"s and selling complete series and sets in their catalogs. I usually would have to buy the last series or two through the mail because they never came to the local stores in my little burg. For some reason in 1971 we never got the 2nd series and I remember ordering one from Card Collectors Co.
The first vending case I bought was in 1974 along with a group of other small time dealer/collector types in Michigan. They came through Charlie Brooks who used to publish the Sport Hobbyist and also had a store. I think they cost us around $50 a pop. The next couple years I did the same and in 1977 or 1978 I bought direct from Topps for the first time. You had to have a sales tax license to order and there was a five case minimum. Did this for many years.
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