The Trader Speaks

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Posted By: CN

Back in 1981 I worked part time helping at the local Drakes cake factory when I was in high school. That was the year they came out with a set made from Topps. The hobby was in a frenzy back then. Anyway I was able to purchase 25 boxes of 500 cards in the old Topps boxes for $8 a piece or $200 dollars before they were released. Ironically I think the the Trader Speaks and BHN was abuzz about this set. In the spring of 1981 I drove down to Philadelphia to sell these cards. The NY Daily News I think Bill Madden just wrote an article about the potential value of the set. I lucked out in that many spectulaters wanted these cards and I was able to sell them to a dealer from Cleveland who I think was named Pasternack after a lot of interest for $225 a box or $5625. I then went to the table next to his and was able to get Complete Topps sets in Ex-Mt which I still have from 1967 to 1973,1975 Minis,1970 and 1971 Supers,1968 Topps Game,1970 Topps Booklets and I got him to throw in a 1957 Mantle and Mays. For $200 dollars I was pleased as by midsummer the Drakes set was going for $10-$15 and is now worth about $5. CN