Cello Pack Fake?

[ALR-bishop]

John---that's the question that interests me. When were the first Christmas repacks produced, where, by whom and did they really ever show up in big retail stores. The lack of any real evidence about earlier production and distribution would seem to indicate they may all be post 1980, or in the case of many of them even later, productions

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

John---that's the question that interests me. When were the first Christmas repacks produced, where, by whom and did they really ever show up in big retail stores. The lack of any real evidence about earlier production and distribution would seem to indicate they may all be post 1980, or in the case of many of them even later, productions

Exactly. The idea is very appealing - I would like to believe that some of these are real (in terms of the vintage timeframe). But I'm not sure that I do.

[steve B]

With the crazy prices being asked now, I can see someone making them. Especially the ones showing stars.

The one I bought is a 58, and has a High number on the back. At the time I bought it, the price I paid wasn't much different than buying a High number and a handful of commons.

I'd have to do a bunch of looking stuff up, but when they were first put out there, I think it was still fairly easy to pick up batches of commons from most years in fairly good condition. By the time the other years came around like 52s it didn't seem like it would be worth the effort for some sets.

What's interesting is that and lets just go with assumptions.
The first were repacks done sometime around the late 90's
Then there were more later.
And the same graphic is still available and being used for stocking shape repacks of various kinds today.
That's 20+ years if not more like 30 of the same graphics on a commercially available cellophane sleeve.
That's kind of impressive.
And who makes those wrappers shouldn't be much of a secret.

A quick internet search found nothing though, so the wrapping may only be available in bulk or the packer makes it themselves, indicating a bigger company.

[steve B]

I don't know how I missed the posts prior, or if they came in while I was making mine.

Anyway...

The ad with the stocking would seem to be the same stocking sleeve that's used now, more than 50 years later. That's really a surprise.

I wonder if any of those Christmas offers had Topps product numbers? Or if they were more generic.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by steve B

I don't know how I missed the posts prior, or if they came in while I was making mine.

Anyway...

The ad with the stocking would seem to be the same stocking sleeve that's used now, more than 50 years later. That's really a surprise.

I wonder if any of those Christmas offers had Topps product numbers? Or if they were more generic.

Steve,

Which ad(s) are you referring to? There are three different pictures of three different stockings in posts #40, #43, and #54.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by BobC

Steve,

Which ad(s) are you referring to? There are three different pictures of three different stockings in posts #40, #43, and #54.

I think he's saying post #54 shows a stocking package from 1969 and post #43 shows a more modern package with about 50 years between the two.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

I think he's saying post #54 shows a stocking package from 1969 and post #43 shows a more modern package with about 50 years between the two.

Was thinking the same, but wanted to verify and not just assume.

[steve B]

Yes, 43 and 54 show very similar items.
And the link I posted in 33 for retrocandy online shows another that's out of stock but presumably currently available with the same cellophane stocking and different header cards.