1989 Topps Heads Up
 

Exactly how rare are they?

I couldn't find much info out there but I did read there were only 24 boxes made and they were sold only in a few stores in Pennsylvania. True or untrue?

1989 Heads Up
 

Scarce not rare. Not sure about your numbers., had not seen or heard that. But I put set together some time back

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...pse450eb14.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b842466.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img315.jpg

You are correct only 24 boxes with 24 packs each were produced...Baseball Card Exchange has a box of test for sale for over 4k. They are tough to get in high grades too. This Bo and Ozzie are the highest graded examples.
oops uploaded the wrong Bo...

This is the correct Bo...I have both of the psa 5's.

1989 Topps Heads Up
 

I have heard the same production figures as you noted - but they are probably from similar sources. I have not heard production figures from any official sources.

I have a little over half of the set. I think the set is regarded as scarce rather than rare because not many set collectors seem to collect this issue...just collectors going after a single of a card. The demand for these cards is relatively shallow. The cards have an odd shape, are "big" and hard to keep from being damaged - and deciding how to store that darned suction cup is also an issue. Al-R keeps his suction cups stuck to the side of his TV - so not an issue for him :).

Z

Psa
 

What is interesting to me is PSA grades them without the suckers. They come with the suckers so why is not removing them an alteration. Besides, to get the suckers out you have to do at least some damage the card

I was never good at math but this ones easy, 24 boxes each with 24 packs means 24 of each player were produced (assuming no SP's).

I never tried and never will but cutting the suction cups off with wire cutters sounds like the safest bet.

Cutters
 

Good point Jim, but I still think it is then altered

Scarce versus rare is subjective. For me 55 Stamps, 61 Dice, 66 Punch Outs, 70 Cloth are rare. If there are only 24 though that is pretty scarce :-). Guess I am lucky to have a set done.

Yea I agree taking the suction cup alters the card but it's the only way they fit the slabs. I hated taking the staples out of some mantle matchbooks I had, but again the only way they fit the slab and I enjoy the registry...

Collecting
 

Absolutely no aspersions intended Ben. People should collect what and how they like. I just think PSA seems a little inconsistent in what they view as altered. Since I do not collect graded myself it is just a curiousity to me.

How many Mantle matchbooks do you have ? Is there some comprehensive checklist of them ?

None taken Al. I agree, collect what you like :)
I haven't seen a comprehensive list but their are multiple types and varieties that exist. There are a few publications online that discuss the main Holiday Inn and Yoohoo issues. I have the Yoohoo and multiple variations of the Holiday Inn matchbooks. I finally got a Holiday Inn yellow background universal match corp. that had eluded me for some time. PSA just lumps all the variants together, but some are much harder to find than others. I do still need a Yoohoo book offer...

24 boxes sounds low. I have a complete set, two unopened boxes, six single cards, and five loose packs that someone was selling years ago in grab bags with a bunch of junk wax packs. No way that I own 14% of the total production run accidentally (i.e., No attempt on my part to do so).

And before someone suggests that I'm thinking of the 1990 cards, I assure you I know the difference. Al might even vouch for me. :rolleyes:

For what it's worth, there are 2-3 other Holiday Inn variations and matchbooks from his restaurant and bowling alley as well.

Vouching
 

I was afraid Bob was going to come in here and devalue my set. Although he recently had to look up the difference between the 70 and 71 Topps Scratch Offs, he does know the difference between his Big Head Suckers

Ben--.cool match covers. What got you started on them ?

Yea 24 boxes sounds low if someone has two full unopened boxes. wow. $$$ I think Mile High auctions posted the 24 boxes and then all of the other auction houses followed with similar verbiage.

I know the matchbooks aren't cards... but I just think they are really cool! I have enjoyed getting all of the variations along the way. The image I posted the holiday inn matches is from left to right earliest to latest edition. The yellow was the first, and one of the toughest to find. But the 2nd one is probably the hardest to find.
I know there are other Mantle matchbooks but I like the ones that have his image on the cover.

Chris I know the types from Holiday Inn but do any of the others have his image on the cover? By the way are you the Chris that has the amazing Master Mantle set? That thing is awesome! I doubt I will ever get that far, but I am enjoying the journey...

There is another Chris out there that has the number one registry set right now, but I have a pretty decent run and am currently sitting at 411 unique cards. As for the matchbooks, the bowling alley doesn't have him pictured but the restaurant does.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/...psdfgcr3mg.jpg

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/...psqaoj9zjo.jpg

I am glad you posted yours as I was not aware of one of the variations.