The Junk Wax Era- when did it start?

[Econteachert205]

A lot of good opinions and information here, I'll add my own. I think that the year is 1981, with the exception of 1984 Donruss which has always been explained to me was in short supply. The fact that stuff from 81-86 kept some relative value while 87-94 basically became worthless doesn't really paint the whole picture. My 1981 price guides list complete 81 topps, donruss and fleer sets higher than prices now. That's 33 years with an inability for saturation to lead to higher prices. The answer to why could be low demand, but it can't be the only answer. Plus you go from 1 company to 3. I like the stuff from 1981-87, and I had to get by my own bias to see that the only difference between it and the stuff from 88-94 is that people weren't quite totally soured on it and have positive memories surrounding it. I loved pulling Clemens and Gooden and Boggs and Puckett and Ripken and Gwynn rookies. The fact that I enjoyed it means they've at least been able to tread water, in my opinion.

[Footballdude]

I think a big reason why the 1981 set has not gone up, aside from a generous supply, is that back then the set was largely rookie driven. John Tudor, Joe Charboneau (however you spell it), Jeff Reardon, Tim Raines, Lamar Hoyt, Fernando Valenzuela, Mookie Wilson, Kirk Gibson, Harold Baines and Tony Pena were all rookies I remember everyone asking for back in the day. How many of those panned out?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Having no HOF rookies in the '81 sets plays a big part in keeping the set/wax price down IMHO. As far as star players from that year though, I think they hold their own with just about any other year from the 1980's, except maybe 1987 (which is worthless anyway). Raines and, to a lesser extent, Reardon are borderline HOF'ers. If Baines played a few more seasons in the outfield instead of DH, I think he would be up there with Raines. Valenzuela was one of the top 5 pitchers in the NL for the decade of the '80's. Kirk Gibson had many good years and was a fan favorite in Detroit. Other stars throughout the '80's were Hubie Brooks, Leon Durham, Lloyd Moseby, Bruce Hurst, John Tudor, Tony Pena, Mike Boddicker, Rich Dotson, LaMarr Hoyt, Rafael Ramirez, Damaso Garcia, Bill Gullickson, Charlie Lea & Keith Moreland. All were stars through at least the mid-80's, some longer.

[Troy Kirk]

During late 1984 the supply of Donruss dropped dramatically, and then in 1985 Donruss and Fleer were kind of hard to find at normal retail prices. There was a lot of talk in the card magazines about card shortages those years. Then in about 1988 the card companies used the pent up demand to open the floodgates.

[1963Topps Set]

Interesting thread and postings. I can go to my local supermarket today and they will have unopened packs of baseball cards from the late 1980s / early 1990s in their vending machines. However, I noticed they don't have any from the late 1960s / early 1970s! I stopped collecting after a decade of collecting in 1981. When I started up again in 1989, boy did I awake to a nightmare. A kids hobby was now an adult "industry". Thank goodness for the 1994 strike. It took greed to kill greed and I was able to resume collecting the old cards in earnest once again.

This forum is so great on all levels and I have already learned and seen so much!

[valediction]

I'd go with 1987. The way I look at it, anything before that time production may have been going up, but demand still outstrips supply for the vast majority of that material. After that, we see unopened material available in box or case form for less than what it retailed for at the time, in some cases, less than wholesale of that time. The 1987 Fleer is still a bit above new release pricing from back then, but Topps and Donruss are at or below it, and in 1988...yeah, you are looking at products where shipping is more than the product itself for much of it. (certain exclusions apply as always, 89 UD, 90 Leaf, 92 Bowman, 93 Finest, etc) if we can buy $70 Vending cases, sub $150 wax cases, $6/ box today for products that were $14.40+ tax at the drug store 25+ years ago. I mentioned in another thread I have a box of 1988 Fleer I still have with an index card clipped to it showing I bought it in November of 1989 for $28 (which was below going rate at the time), and now I can buy a sealed case for $8.50 per box (plus shipping) from places like BBCexchange.

[gopherfan]

Better question is when will it end?

[1963Topps Set]

Originally Posted by gopherfan

Better question is when will it end?

Well put!