1989 Upper Deck Factory sets
 

With the increase in the value of the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card in this set i was wondering about the sealed factory sets. I purchased 4 factory sets from my local card shop in 1989 when they were released and they were sealed with only a round clear cellophane sticker about 1 inch - 1 1/2 inches in diameter 1/2 way along the flap side of the box/set. In fact all the factory sets that I saw for that set were sealed that way at my local card shop and even at other card shops and at card shows as well. I recall being told at a card show by a representative that this seal was extra strong so that if removed part of the box labeling would be removed/torn also so that a buyer would be able to see that the set had been opened. Now I am seeing these sets for sale/auction sealed with a cellophane / plastic "shrink " wrap w/ no round seal mentioned or visible.
Was this factory set sealed in different ways from the factory :
1. with the round cellophane seal only
2. shrink wrapped only
and /or
3. shrink wrapped and with the round cellophane seal ?
Or have these shrink wrapped sets been opened looked at and then re-wrapped ?
Thanks

Mine has the round seal like yours. Also bought when issued. Never opened it. There are several know and recognized variations to the set, which I have accumulated over the years and put in card savers in a small box next to the set

The ones I see on ebay are of these two types:
- has just the plastic circle seal
- has a plastic wrap but has no circle seal, including evidence that one even existed.

Is it possible that both are legit? Did a running change happen?
One problem is that since these are so far out, we don't know the answers. If these sets with the plastic wrap are not modern wrap-jobs, or if they are old wrap jobs. Is it possible the two different versions were from different distribution channels? Such as mass retail vs card shops?

Mine has a plastic wrap only. I didn't know they came any other way.

I was a full time dealer in 1989 and all my 1989 UD Factory sets were with the small circle seal. Seems like I only seen the shrink wrap years later. But I'm sure hobby dealers only got the "small circle seal" sets. Maybe retail got the shrink wrap. When I have taken the seal off to check inside it usually tears paper from the factory box. I should have left all of them sealed since most of the Griffey's were slightly off center and not worth grading. Hope this helps.

The ones with plastic shrink wrap were available at Wal-Mart (and probably other retailers too). The ones with round circle seals were made available to dealers. At least how that's how it was in my area.

As a dealer in 1989 I ordered a case direct from UD and it had the circle seal boxes.

I bought several sets at Price Club (now Costco) when they came out, and they had plastic shrink wrap.

Just an FYI - The one with the small circle seal CAN be opened and resealed without detection.

Back then I would experiment with my own packs / sealed sets etc to see if anything can be resealed without detection so I would know what to look for or stay away from. I bought 2 sealed sets from a dealer but insisted I open them in front of him to make sure the Griffey's were there.......and they were. Both graded PSA 8. A third set from another dealer did not have the Griffey and I was not ale to detect any type of resealing. I got the refund.

Please note that I did this for my own protection to get a better grasp on resealing and that I have never sold any of these.

I just thought I would let everyone know.

Thanks,
Bob

I remember waiting in line at Price Club for Upper Deck in 1989. Like buying gold at a discount price. I think we bought 'wax' boxes though instead of sets. Sold/traded those long ago for much more than you could get for them now.

I have both types, with circle sticker and shrink wrap. One shrink wrap has a KayBee Toys price tag on it... so i think retail was shrink wrapped and hobby was sticker...