Topps Wax Pack Run and Wrapper Run

[frankhardy]

I thought I would share a minor area of focus on my collection. Even though there are much more elaborate pack and wrapper collections out there, I think this is kind of neat.

As I work my way down completing Topps sets, which is currently from 1969 to 2013 Topps (base and traded), I am adding to those sets an unopened wax pack from every series and traded down to 1975, which is my birth year. Also, I am adding a wax wrapper from 1991 (last year of wax paper) on down as I complete my Topps sets. I have a 1969 on the way, so it is not pictured below.

I started this a few years ago and have enjoyed watching the collection grow. The 1975 pack is GAI authenticated. 1976 through 1991 were bought from BBCE, so they are authentic and unopened. Every series, along with traded/update series are included in the pack run.

The first picture is the wax wrapper collection. Many even have gum behind the wrapper! The following pictures are the pack run.

[tulsaboy]

Neat Shane! I have done much the same thing. I tried to get from the year I was born-1978-through the end of wax. I stopped at 1991 as well. Did you get one of the cellophane wrapped ones from that year? I did just to show the transition. I then started working back. I made it to 1970, less the expensive 1971, before I had kids and had other things to do with bigger chunks of cash. I made a little shelf for mine. I will post a pic when I get home. Ran out of room. Need to make a new shelf. Are you going to keep going backwards?

[frankhardy]

Are yours packs or wrappers? Since you talked about the expensive 1971, I take it that you have packs. My packs just go back to 1975. The wrappers (first picture) go back to 1970 (with 1969 on the way).

My 1991 wrapper is wax, but my pack is plastic. Also, there is a 1989 plastic version as well as a wax version. I have both packs. I don't have a 1983 plastic pack (Michigan) though.

As far as the future, I plan on stopping the packs with 1975 because they just get too expensive. However, as I go backwards with my Topps sets, I will continue to get a wrapper. Now, if I get rich someday, I will definitely go back and get a pack from 1974 and down.

[tulsaboy]

Mine are packs. My mom suggested to me when I started collecting that I save one pack from each year. I reluctantly did so. That gave me 1986 on. I started backwards on my own. The 1971 is just too pricey right now, as well as the 1960's stuff. The 1950's stuff is just ridiculous. I did pick up a stack of 5-6 1951 red back packs, and one blue back one about 15 years ago. Only paid $35 each for the reds. But other than those, I don't have any before 1970. I do have both variations of the 1974 pack, the "Bonus Team Checklist" one and the "All 660" one. Do you have the version of the 1994 pack that had sticks of bubble gum in them? They are a variant of that year that most people haven't seen. They were marketed in retail establishments like Target. Didn't sell well. You might also look for the 1985 one that doesn't have the year on it. That one is pretty common. I don't think they command any premium, but they are another variant.

I have never seen the 1989 plastic. I'll have to look for one.

Here is my little shelf.

kevin

[frankhardy]

That is one fantastic display! I just have mine in a two row box right now. How pricey are 1971 packs? I have never priced one because I just do the wrappers before 1975.

I didn't know that about the 1994 packs. I really don't search for variations, but I keep them if I run across them.

[Griffins]

'71 OPC look almost the same at half the price.It's a good way to cheat a run, '70 packs are cheap and that gets you thru the '70's
'60's aren't too bad but the '50s will kill you, if you can even find '56 and '58. You can always opt for penny packs on those.
Nice run Shane!

[brookdodger55]

Originally Posted by frankhardy

I thought I would share a minor area of focus on my collection. Even though there are much more elaborate pack and wrapper collections out there, I think this is kind of neat.

As I work my way down completing Topps sets, which is currently from 1969 to 2013 Topps (base and traded), I am adding to those sets an unopened wax pack from every series and traded down to 1975, which is my birth year. Also, I am adding a wax wrapper from 1991 (last year of wax paper) on down as I complete my Topps sets. I have a 1969 on the way, so it is not pictured below.

I started this a few years ago and have enjoyed watching the collection grow. The 1975 pack is GAI authenticated. 1976 through 1991 were bought from BBCE, so they are authentic and unopened. Every series, along with traded/update series are included in the pack run.

The first picture is the wax wrapper collection. Many even have gum behind the wrapper! The following pictures are the pack run.

Great Idea, I think I will start a project like yours with my 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl. Both love collecting old and new stuff. I was born in 1970, so I think I will start/ end there from 2013 on down pretty reasonable project until you reach the 1970's. Should been fun
Thanks
Mike

What about the 1989 Topps American Baseball packs issued over in England . I don't have mine available to scan right now

[ALR-bishop]

I do have that set and a pack somewhere as well

[ALR-bishop]

88 card set released in both US and UK



There was also an 88 set of 88

[ALR-bishop]

...and there was a Tiffany version of the 88 set