1970 Kellogg set

[JollyElm]

The Kellogg's phenomenon of curling and cracking has always puzzled me. Every kid absolutely loved digging through the boxes of cereal to find the treasured cards at the bottom, but I couldn't help but wonder why Kellogg's even bothered producing cards that broke down so easily. But now I think I have an answer. I'm not a scientist, but I believe the cause of all this destruction is the humidity. Every single 3-D card I had in New York eventually either cracked and/or curled. Every single one. The relative humidity there is quite formidable in summer and the winters are dry. Perhaps the damage is a result of these extreme changes in the amount of moisture in the air?

But now I find myself in California where (even before this ridiculous drought) it is bone dry throughout the year. The difference between the right coast and left coast in this regard is so freakin' drastic that it makes me laugh!! I've picked up a few 3-D cards since being here and every show I attend has people selling them. I have yet to see any of these cards show the telltale signs of curling and cracking out here.

So I imagine the viability of your Kellogg's cards all depends on what part of the country you live in. Again, I'm not a scientist, so the use of 'humidity' might not be the proper term, but you understand what I'm talking about.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

The Kellogg's phenomenon of curling and cracking has always puzzled me. Every kid absolutely loved digging through the boxes of cereal to find the treasured cards at the bottom, but I couldn't help but wonder why Kellogg's even bothered producing cards that broke down so easily. But now I think I have an answer. I'm not a scientist, but I believe the cause of all this destruction is the humidity. Every single 3-D card I had in New York eventually either cracked and/or curled. Every single one. The relative humidity there is quite formidable in summer and the winters are dry. Perhaps the damage is a result of these extreme changes in the amount of moisture in the air?

But now I find myself in California where (even before this ridiculous drought) it is bone dry throughout the year. The difference between the right coast and left coast in this regard is so freakin' drastic that it makes me laugh!! I've picked up a few 3-D cards since being here and every show I attend has people selling them. I have yet to see any of these cards show the telltale signs of curling and cracking out here.

So I imagine the viability of your Kellogg's cards all depends on what part of the country you live in. Again, I'm not a scientist, so the use of 'humidity' might not be the proper term, but you understand what I'm talking about.

Interesting, that would definitely stress the cards.

[71buc]

I wouldn't slab them. A couple years ago picked up PSA 9s of Mays and Bench. When I received them they were beautiful. A year later I looked at them and both of them cracked in the slab

[MCoxon]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I wouldn't slab them. A couple years ago picked up PSA 9s of Mays and Bench. When I received them they were beautiful. A year later I looked at them and both of them cracked in the slab

Really sorry about your mays and bench. That's exactly what I worry about, and for sure 2 of my favorite-looking from that set. I wonder if stabbing is part of the issue, straightening the cards out when they already have had a slight curl, thus stressing and ultimately cracking the plastic over time.

A tad off topic, but the issue reminds me of some of my mid 70s topps sets, where some of the cards appear a bit curled in sheets after having sat upright in boxes for a number of years (especially 73 and my two 76 sets). I have wondered if the cardboard stock from the mid 1970s sets was a little cheaper than what came before and after from topps

[ALR-bishop]

I have a set of the Topps 68 3D cards, and the 3D subset that was part of their 2011 Lineage set. Some of my 68s are graded, some not, depending on what state they were in when I bought them. I have seen a 68 3D uncut sheet. They are thicker and seem sturdier than the Kellogg versions, and I am not sure if they ever had the roll in the individual cards you mention. I have heard stories of the 68s cracking as well, but fortunately have not had that problem with my set.

I have always liked the 68 set and wondered why Topps never went mainstream with those type cards until 2011, and even then with only a small subset. I assume it was cost of production

I also have a set of the 86 Sportflics cards, which was a kind of 3D production, but the set is still in a factory box and do not know if they have had a cracking problem as well

The Rose cards have been in the plexi holders for over 20 to 30 years with no cracks and The pack with a small curl, just luck

[MCoxon]

Real beauties, Ron.

I read somewhere that most years the Kellogg's cards (maybe all but 1971) could be acquired in cereal boxes or other sources - like the packs Ron shows.

I wonder if there's a difference in how the cards fare if they were mixed in with cereal during the packaging/distribution/retail process and those cards that were not...

is there a way to tell if a card was inserted into a box or acquired differently (like perforated vs. hand-cut for Post)?