Topps Christmas cello paks - legit?

[metroac]

I saw a 1956 Topps "Christmas Cello Pak" that sold on eBay recently for about $250. It had the reverse of a #10 Warren Spahn and a #228 Mickey Vernon showing on the back (different series). Are these things legit? It seems to me that I've read that they were bogus, but the eBay seller said (of course) that it was authentic. Does anyone know where these came from?

[IgnatiusJReilly]

I’ve always assumed these are bogus. It’s too easy to make that packaging look ok and normal, single 5 cent packs are very rare. I think it’s in the too good to be true category.


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[Aquarian Sports Cards]

There are some theories. NONE of these theories involve Topps. One of the theories is that there are legitimate old repacks from a 2nd party, not from the year of issue, but from the late 60's and early 70's. Supposedly there are ways to tell the difference between these packs and more modern packs that take advantage of the fact that there is nobody protecting the hobby from them. I don't recall what those ways are as I am not interested in them regardless, but a little research should help you find the information. Whether it has any value or not is, of course, up for debate.

[darkhorse9]

They are worth the cards that are in them. No premium should be added for the packaging. It's just like buying a "grab bag"

I would judge the value on the cards and condition you see, assume the rest are commons in similar or lower grade and offer to pay that.

[rlorenz]

So That is correct they are worth the cards that are in them based on the grades you see. That said and I have spoke to many of people about this from old timers to people in the 30's that have no clue. the old timers indeed remember packs like these in the walmarts and the corner stores in the late 60's and or 70's.

You can tell so they say the differences in the racks from the candy canes on the side... the older ones or (per say legit ones) have uneven candy canes. the Xmas tree in usually off center and on the top card. and the staples have a black mark in the back. and frankly they smell old. the new ones you can just tell they are repackaged the cards are not in great condition candy canes are off....etc....etc new plastic etc.

I have opened roughly 50-60 packs and gotten everything from stars in the middle or totaly junk...but the condition ranges from EX to Mint. with about 60% of them not being perfectly centered. I have psa graded to decent ones and gotten from PSA 6 - to PSA 9. with a rough PSA 7-8 average.

Now I only keep the ones for my collection as even though they are not done by topps they are a pretty neat addition if you can get them at the right price.

Example.... I have had a number of graders look at this... the Mantles would grade. PSA 8, PSA 8 , PSA 7 from the eye. See below