Vintage card pack - open or not - thoughts?

[gonefishin]

Just wondering what your opinion is on opening a vintage pack, pre 1970, of cards. Would you open it? Have it graded? Leave it as is? There are many thoughts. What is yours? Does anybody out there have any?

[swarmee]

Maybe this thread on the post-war board may be to your liking:
https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ighlight=packs

[GrewUpWithJunkWax]

I never had the opportunity to open vintage packs, and not sure I ever would.

Not so long ago, I tried out the virtual pack opening site that was here:
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=316385

Opening those virtual packs was a good reminder to me that packs are usually disappointing.

[gonefishin]

Thanks, I just read through it. I think that part of the hobby is growing and there may actually still be some unopened vintage packs squirreled away somewhere just waiting for someone to discover them.

I believe PSA is still the only company out there grading them today. They've kind of cornered the market on that.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If your objective is to maximize value, I wouldn't open it in a million years.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If your objective is to maximize value, I wouldn't open it in a million years.

Yes I agree, you'd probably get a better return "investing" the cost of the pack into scratch off lottery tickets. I would be tempted though. I would probably get the pack graded just so I wouldn't wind up opening it.

[Touch'EmAll]

A graded vintage unopened pack is pretty darn cool. It would be a fun collection addition.

[sreader3]

Open it if you want the thrill, don't open it if you want the money. If you open it, you are paying for the experience--which is fine.

Edited to add: Of course if you open it you could get lucky with your pack. But the odds are against it.

[5-Tool Player]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If your objective is to maximize value, I wouldn't open it in a million years.

+1 , but if you can take the "hit" (lame pack...etc) open that baby up.

[drcy]

The value of the packs isn't just due to the cards. It's that it's the original "mint in box" product.

That a wrapper and an empty box have value demonstrates that the value is more than the cards.

[1880nonsports]

for maximum benefit
sell the
sizzle
and not the steak.....

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

for maximum benefit
sell the
sizzle
and not the steak.....

If you open it, videotape it!!!

[gonefishin]

There are so many factors in opening a pack as you all mentioned. Once, I opened a cello 1959 Christmas pack (I know its not the same as a factory pack) that had a 59 Mantle showing. The centering was good, so I thought I would open it and have the Mantle graded as it should have been protected all those years. I had all cards graded. The Mantle came back a PSA 6, which is not bad. I also had all the other cards graded. Most came back a 5 or 6 with only one or so 4's and a couple of 7's. I still have all the cards. I think in this case it was a push/pull.

I keep leaning toward the thought that once it's opened - it's opened and can NEVER be corrected.

Another interesting question is: Should one sell it themselves or send to an auction house (If they decide to sell it). Just like opening it, once it's sold - it's sold.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by 1880nonsports

for maximum benefit
sell the
sizzle
and not the steak.....

♪♪ My baby takes the morning train... ♪♪