I have posted this before, but it was suggested I should try again.

I have a 1957 Topps Basketball wrapper. I would love to get an idea of its value. I remember years ago that a few people had price guides for these wrappers. Does anyone know of a current guide? Thanks in advance.

Jim,

The 1961 Fleer wrapper goes for about $30-$50. The 1957 Topps wrapper is, of course, more valuable. I'm not exactly sure how much it's worth, but it's definately out of my price range.

Alan

Thanks, Alan. In a different thread, Dave Hornish, who knows Topps better than anyone else I know, suggested that this wrapper might be worth north of $1200. That number kind of surprised me.

At $100 or so, I would hold on to it for a long time. At $1200+ I might have to get out some packing materials and envelopes.

There was a large find of '61's (I think Marc Perna ended up with it) which would make '61 wrappers considerably more common than '57's. $1200 sounds like a lot for a postwar wrapper, but $100 sounds way, way low.

That $1,200 is from Mark Murphy's guide, which is six years old. He might be a good contact (bbcardkid on Ebay I think) for values come to think of it. The CU forum might be a place as well. BKB production was probably 5% at most of BB and when you add the OPC angle, there could not have been all that many Canadian wrappers produced for this set.

What I don't know is if wrapper prices are generally heading north or south or if a hoard ever popped up.

Edit-I just found a site that calls it the "holy grail" http://www.vintagebasketballcards.info/main.htm

Dave,

I appreciate you doing so much leg work on this item. If your estimations are accurate, it may be looking for a new home soon.

Thanks again.

Jim,

For what it's worth, I just picked up a copy of the November 2008 Beckett Basketball, and it lists the range for your wrapper at $1,000 to $1250.

Thanks Rob.

Rob -

Are there any articles in that Nov issue that Jeff Mullen wrote ? Can you scan & post it or email it to me. Thanks. Alan

Alan,

I see nothing written by Jeff Mullen.

Rob

Alan,

Jeff Mullen article from the october issue:
(By the way, until Rob D. told me yesterday, I had no idea that Beckett'e priced wrappers. DOH!)

If anyone is interested, I have listed the wrapper for sale on the B/S/T board, in the "Everything Else" section.

Jim,
A HUGE THANK YOU for posting the article !!!

Alan

Alan...

While this particular article is well written and has some good information, let's not be fooled by the quoted prices. The last BFH Mikan that went on Ebay did not make reserve at $2200...and the most "knowledgable" collector in the vintage collecting circle quietly bid $1222. While they claim that the BFH Mikan is worth more, actions speak louder than words.

There is a familiar trend I've seen over the last 5 years. When someone has an item for sale, such as a BFH Mikan, Topps Test cards, Scotts cards, etc...then mysteriously the values seem to increase in the articles. Hmm...

Do I think that the Bell Brand Lakers cards are totally rare? - yes. Do I think that a common player in this set should sell for $2000? - no way. That is way too much.

For newer collectors, here are some maximum prices to ever pay, BFH Mikans - $1500-$2000 tops, Topps Test 20-25K complete, Lakers Bell Brand 15K...

Too often in our hobby, dealers disguise themselves as collectors. This destroys our great hobby, and falsely jacks up prices.

However, I did enjoy this particular article for the content discussing card rarity.

Pat,

If you wouldn't mind me e-mailing you a simple question about the value of a set, could you please e-mail me at wolfie51sb@aol.com?

Thanks,

Rob