Posted By:
Eric BrehmAL -- yes I looked forward to receiving those packages containing each new series of cards too. It was so exciting to see what players you would get, what cards of your favorite players looked like in the new issue, etc. As I remember you would get the new series cards in the mail before they arrived in the stores.
The cards always started out in Mint condition, but in my case at least, they didn't stay that way. The ones of mine that have survived are now mostly VG-EX because of all the handling they were subjected too. The proverbial card #1 and the last card in the set always took the biggest hits.
It is funny to think how cheap the cards were back then, compared to what they are worth now, but getting them all by buying gum packs at the store (and trading for the ones I didn't get), or ordering them through Card Collectors Co., set me back by at least $10, which was a pretty big investment for a kid back in 1966 making $5 a week during the summer mowing lawns.