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Posted By: Mark Macrae

Another factor is how & where the pack was stored over the years. If the product is exposed to dampness, humidity or other environmental factors this will have an impact on what is contained inside the package. As an experiment, buy a box of Marlboro cigarettes today. Break the seal and insert a near mint, but relatively inexpensive card (1970 Topps common). Close the box and submerge the entire box in water. Let it stay submerged in water for about 2 hours. Remove the soggy container, pat it dry & place it in the oven at about 140 degrees for 4-5 hours. Remove the package from the oven & you'll see what 50 years of aging in a damp basement can do to paper...As a note I have pulled lightly stained, sharp cornered cards from these early packs. Jon's pack looks like it was exposed to a light / moderate dampness provoking the staining, not only on the card, but the box as well.