Buying unopened old packs of baseball cards can be an exciting and potentially lucrative endeavor for collectors. Old packs offer the thrill of not knowing what cards may be inside and the chance to pull valuable vintage cards that could be worth significant money. There are some important things to understand before purchasing old packs of baseball cards.
When looking at old baseball card packs for sale, one of the most important things to evaluate is the condition and apparent authenticity of the packaging. Cards from the 1960s, 70s and 80s were packaged in thin paper or foil wrappers that deteriorate easily over decades. Buyers need to carefully inspect packs for signs of tampering, resealing or moisture damage. Heavy creasing, stains or tears are red flags that cards inside may be compromised. Reputable sellers will have clearly photographed the packaging from multiple angles to allow for close scrutiny.
Understanding the print runs and rarity of cards from different years is also crucial when considering the value of packs’ contents. Examples include the very short print runs of the iconic 1952 Topps and 1959 Topps sets that featured only a few hundred copies of superstar rookie cards. The 1968 Topps set had much higher print numbers and most of its early star rookies have thousands surviving in high grade. Doing research on production numbers can help buyers understand the odds of finding a true key card in a given vintage pack.
Another factor is whether packs being offered are from the beginning, middle or end of a particular print run. Toward the end of production, the best cards may have already been pulled while earlier packs have the highest odds of containing major hits. Asking sellers for specifics on pack/box codes can provide clues about where in the print run items are from. Condition census services like PSA and Beckett also document population reports showing how many graded examples exist, aiding in rarity analysis.
Weighing packs is not a foolproof method for contents analysis but can give clues. Most vintage packs originally weighed around .5 to 1 ounce and weighed down noticeably less if major cards were removed. Pack weights could also vary slightly due to manufacturing processes and packs shouldn’t be ruled out solely based on weight differences. Savvy buyers consider weight one of several factors rather than conclusive proof.
After assessing packaging, production details and weight, the next step is to carefully consider a seller’s reputation, return policy and price. While unopened vintage packs can gain tremendous value with time, there is always risk that items may not meet expectations or grades once submitted for authentication. Reputable sellers stand by purchases and may offer incentives like a bonus pack with returns. Prices should also reflect all available data on print runs, pack/box details, the seller and market conditions. Overpaying brings needless risk regardless of what cards may be inside.
If all factors check out, the fun begins in carefully opening an old pack. While there’s excitement in finding star rookies, true value is often in complete sets of commons and uncommons that round out team and player collections. Even ‘junk wax’ era packs from the late 80s and 90s can contain $5-$10 cards that add up. And condition is paramount – cards pulling centering or corners need to grade well to have significant value realized.
For collectors willing to do research, take reasonable risks and be patient, buying sealed vintage baseball packs offers a thrilling connection to the hobby’s history. Understanding production details, scrutinizing packaging and working with reputable sellers can help maximize chances of finding treasure in unopened packs from decades past. While there are no guarantees, the rewards of ripping wax and discovering forgotten cardboard gems still excite collectors today.