Steve-- on the 52 pack do you think the buyer did not notice the condition issue you mention and just bid on the grade from PSA, and that the pack is not really worth what they paid for it ? I may be missing your point. I have a Topps pack run and several odd ball Topps packs back to 1951 but generally think the folks I bid against know exactly what they are doing and track whatever market results are out there, both as to scarcity and any prior prices paid
I have no experiences with 1940s material with the exception of 1948 Topps.
There was a recent thread speculating on what unopened pack might break the 100 K mark
http://net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=263543