Does anyone collect Unopened?

[TanksAndSpartans]

I've noticed this seems to be a really popular area of the hobby and also one I don't totally get. I think the main aspects are:

1) the fun of opening a pack and chance to "win the lottery" by pulling one of the more sought after cards in the set

2) investment: holding the item(s) according to the logic as more are opened over time, the supply of the unopened item(s) decreases and results in appreciation of the remaining unopened item(s)

3) just for the sake of collecting - certainly, in general at least, the further back in time (can you imagine unopened 35 Chicle?) the more rare an unopened item will be

Here is a link to 52 Bowman Large I just saw: http://www.legendaryauctions.com/1952_Bowman_Large_Football_2nd_Series_Unopened_Fiv-LOT167886.aspx

Definitely surprised to see an unopened pack from this set (although I know nothing about this area of the hobby so maybe they aren't super rare?) and curious to see what it sells for as I can't even guess.

What I'm wondering is - does this interest people? Am I just pessimistic by nature to assume I'd wind up with off center commons with gum stains?

[jmoran19]

for FB I do from roughly the mid 60's to the mid 80's. Goal is to have at least one wax, one cello and one rack pack. Just need a 1970 rack pack to complete the feat from 1968 to 1984 I think.

Here is a pic of some. the 1970 and 1971 wax boxes are legit. The 1970 cello packs are fake.

In general if the card showing on the top of a cello pack or rack pack is OC the cards in that sequence (could be 5 or 7 or 18 depending on pack) will be OC

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other/IMG_0616.JPG

[TanksAndSpartans]

Nice display! So you have no plans to ever open, right?

[jmoran19]

Oh I've opened. At one point Ive had over 30 1970 and 1971 wax packs between the full boxes and ones I've picked up when I got into unopened collecting in the late 90's.

Would you like to see some results?

[TanksAndSpartans]

Definitely would like to see results. Do you think you'll open everything eventually or are there ones you won't ever touch?

[CowboysGuide]

Absolutely beautiful display!

[jmoran19]

Thanks Steve.

I probably won't be opening many more. Have multiple complete sets for 1970 and 1971 so don't really need any cards from those years.

Will slowly post some cards I have pulled from FB packs I have opened since the late 90's. My general motto is when Im lucky enough to obtain a lot of packs from same year series etc I open one for "research".

Sent a 1968 first series wax pack to PSA for grading years ago, came pack questionable so I opened. Pulled a PSA 9 on a Tommy McDonald card, 2 posters instead of one as advertised and this. Back edge has a small chunk missing or it would be mint:

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other//66_68FBb.jpg

[TanksAndSpartans]

Awesome Butkus - looking forward to seeing a few more.

[jmoran19]

thanks!

As most know, I've done a lot of research into sequencing. A friend of mine gets the credit for figuring it out for 1958 cellos. He allowed me to purchase a cello pack on ebay knowing this was likely to be pulled. The top card on the cello was miscut but the Brown was in the bottom sequence (58 cellos can have up to 4) so I was hoping for the best. Cant really complain about getting a pack fresh untouched Brown rookie for a couple of G spots.

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other/1958078.jpg

[pawpawdiv9]

i only have the 84 topps FB graded ..once i learned about the ins&outs from a board member and what to look for..i said heck with all that. I did however buy a 53 rack pack, got some good grades, for a set builder, but no lottery picks.

[lahmejoon]

Carnac! That is an awesome display. Do you have one dedicated to baseball (I know this is a football thread, but had to ask)? :)

[TanksAndSpartans]

The sequencing thing was definitely not an aspect of collecting unopened I thought about when I started this thread - that's really interesting - having some kind of "x-ray vision" to know what's in the pack.... it must of felt good to be right and pull the Brown. I think I'd sell it even if only to prove to unnamed individuals the hobby can also make money :)

[jmoran19]

Since I got into unopened in the late 90's I think I have opened 5 1971 wax packs (8 cards, one game card and one poster) and a cello pack (23 cards).

From the wax packs I pulled these 2 cards;

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other/joegreene.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other/terry2.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersfh/jmoran19/other/71STAU2.jpg