Q&A: Why Do Some Topps Boxes From The 80s Have Black Marks On Them?

Question: Looking on eBay I see so many 1980s Topps boxes with black marks on the covers.  What are the black marks for?

Answer: As a way to help distributors/stores clear out old inventory that had been sitting for awhile, Topps allowed for some products to be returned.  The distributors/stores would get a little money back.  Once Topps received those products back they would place black marks on the box covers.  Then Topps would ship them off to discount outlets.  In order to qualify for this the cases and/or boxes had to be complete.  Nothing tampered with.  Back then Topps did not seal their boxes in plastic like they do today.  Its very possible the people sending them back compiled packs from multiple boxes just to make a complete one.  That is the true origin of those black marks.  Complete boxes from the 1980s without the black marks will always be more desirable.  But this practice was so common you see them everywhere.

Q&A: Did Topps Issue Boxes Of 1992 Stadium of Stars Cards?

Question: Hi!  I came across this odd card of Larry King.  It appears to be from 1992 Topps Stadium of Stars.  Did Topps issue boxes for this set?  What can you tell me about it?

Answer: No.  Topps did not issue these in the traditional box format.  The year was 1992, and the 13th National Sports Collectors Convention was being held in Atlanta, GA.  For the first time in it’s thirteen year existence, Topps decided to setup a booth.  Used as a promotional giveaway, Topps created a 13-card set entitled Stadium of Stars.

• Bruce Jenner
• John Wooden
• Joan Lunden
• Lou Holtz
• Chris McCarron
• Nick Charles
• Larry King
• Ann Meyers
• LeRoy Neiman
• Wilma Rudolph
• Bob Costas
• Nancy Lopez
• Jim Beckett III

The exact number of cards handed out during the show is unknown.  Every celebrity on the checklist received (500) copies to hand out at their discretion.  Two jumbo-size cards were also printed for each individual.  One was given to the celebrity, and the other was autographed.  The signed version was auctioned off, and the money went to a specific charity chosen by that celebrity.

Topps sold 5,000 uncut sheets to dealers at the show.  From time to time one of those will popup.  I believe Jim Beckett III was a late addition and/or had to be obtained differently compared to the others.  You can find his single card on the secondary market, but its not pictured on any of the promotional material like the uncut sheet.  An oversize souvenir sheet featuring these cards is suppose to be floating around too.

A complete set is worth about $30-$50.

The 36th Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show

One of the longest running sports card shows in my area is held once a year by the Ephrata Lions Club.  Its held for one day at the Ephrata Rec Center, and they always have an autograph guest.  This was their 36th annual show, and the signer was former Phillies HOF pitcher Steve Carlton.  About 40-50 dealers were setup, and they had many items for their live auction.

The show opened to the public at 8:30 am.  I left around 6:15 am in the middle of a minor unexpected snowstorm.  On the way I passed six car accidents due to the snow.  Luckily none of them slowed down traffic when I was going by.  I arrived at 8:15 am and quickly got in line.  Once the show opened the line moved very quickly.  Inside the show you needed to purchase autograph tickets for Steve Carlton.  The Ephrata Lions Club was only selling 300 tickets, and they went like hotcakes.  After the autograph tickets were obtained, it was time to dive into the show.

During this particular show I was on the lookout for Harry Kalas stuff, bobbleheads, pins, and some 2015 wax to bust.  At first glance I didn’t see too much wax.  The only boxes I saw were some 2015 Topps Series 1, 2015 Topps Opening Day, and 2015 Topps Heritage.  Those products are great, but have way too many base cards for my taste.  My usual wax dealer wasn’t there, but then I came across VSM Sports Card Outlet.  This was the second time I’ve seen VSM Sports Card Outlet at this show.  I purchased a Harry Kalas UD Sweet Spot Auto from them last year.  In addition to some very high-end singles, they also had boxes just fit for me.  I ended up buying three boxes from them – (2) 2015 Leaf Metal Draft Football, and (1) 2015 Upper Deck Inscriptions Football.  I’ll be posting what I pulled from those boxes later, but lets just say I got some fantastic cards 🙂

While walking around a little more I found a 2009 World Series Phillies vs. Yankees pin, and a Reading Phillies Crazy Hot Dog Vendor bobblehead.  I ran into a lot of people I knew too.  That includes the owner of the first card shop I ever went to back in 1997.  I hadn’t seen him in over twelve years.

Overall, it was a great show.  I can see why its been around for thirty-six years.  Now check out the photos.

Phillies HOF pitcher Steve Carlton

Reading Phillies Crazy Hot Dog Vendor bobblehead.  He has to be one of the coolest mascots in all of sports.  Its a hot dog vendor riding an ostrich.  These all came unpainted as you’re suppose to paint them yourself.  I’m leaving mine like this.

THE SHOW!!!

THE SHOW!!!

Panini’s New Medieval Card Creating Castle

Panini America, Inc has moved into a new HQ and man does it look good.  Panini’s marketing guy, Scott Prusha, did an excellent job designing it.  For even more pictures, be sure to check out The Knight’s Lance.

Possibly the coolest looking doorway of any manufacturer.

For those of you that are attending the 2011 Industry Summit in Las Vegas, Panini will be supplying their popular Black Boxes.  Each box contains a bunch of exclusive “hits”, including a one-of-one.  You can pull cards like the one pictured above.  More pictures can be seen here.

Recent Monty Sheldon Art

Monty Sheldon has been hard at work designing his famous “Artballs” and cigar boxes.  One of his newest “Artballs” commemorates probably the darkest time in baseball – the steroid era.

These baseballs are so colorful and detailed.  They make an excellent addition to any collection.

Check out this Pete Rose wooden cigar box he painted too.  If you have a favorite card, something like this would make a great display piece.

Press Pass Comes Through

A few minutes ago the UPS man dropped off a package from Press Pas, Inc.  Inside there were 3 boxes for me to break and review: ’09 Stealth, ’09 Premium, and ’09 Press Pass Series 2.  Starting tomorrow I’ll be breaking one each day and plan to use some of the stuff for a contest(s).

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday and I turn 23 years old.  I ate a really great birthday dinner, stuffed myself with some chocolate cake, and after eating take a look at what I got…………..

Results from the breaks will be posted tomorrow.  Its going to be a fun night!

Sports Card Info Major Card Pulls

Now you can view my biggest card pulls that I have ever made.  On the right sidebar under the calendar you will see a link titled “Major Card Pulls”.  There you will be taken to a slideshow.  Thank you and enjoy.

Check Those Base Card Boxes

Many people wish they could go up in their attic and find an old box of baseball cards that had been forgotten hoping to find some rare cards.  What a lot of people don’t realize is that they could have treasures right in front of their eyes.  Once in awhile I will go through my many base card boxes looking to see if anything stands out to me.  As the years go by, cards that were pulled out a few years ago and just considered base, may now actually be worth something.  Am I saying that every base card’s value is going to go up like vintage cards, no, but it can be true for first year and rookie cards.  Going through some of my boxes I remember pulling out some rookie cards of players that are good now, but weren’t doing well at the time they were pulled.  Hidden treasures can be right under your nose and you may never know it unless you look.

Hot Packs and Pack Searchers

Lets face it, hot packs and pack searchers go together like two peas in a pod.  People will weigh packs to determine whether or not there is a memorabilia and/or autographed card inside.  Then they will sell or open the packs.  Searching eBay you will find many people selling hot packs.  Some people are satisfied with the results but many are not.  How do you know what they are selling is a hot pack or not.  They could just be out to make money.  You never want to purchase a product that has been searched.  If there was something really good inside don’t you think they would open it before they sold it to you?