Any recommendations for collecting OPC n Parkies?

[sedinfan]

After focusing on the latest and greatest cards over the past couple of decades, I'm sure the occasional shiny new thing will catch my eye, but I'm more and more intrigued by going back to pre-1990 to put together sets from the 80's and earlier. Very curious before I embark on the journey to get some input from the community on how you go about your collection... so for those who either dabble in or are obsessed by pre '90's cards got a few questions I'd love to hear some viewpoints on.

Do you tend to focus on one set at a time, moving on to another when one is nearly or fully complete, or do you like to attack lots of sets simultaneously?

Have you bought / would you recommend buying full sets for the more easily attainable stuff especially from the 80's or do you solely pick up singles online / at shows and enjoy the chase of putting sets together by hand?

I'm not overly obsessed with condition, I enjoy the hobby more as a collector than an investor, so I'd prefer raw cards, but I'd imagine it's difficult to pick up raw cards for some of the older sets, and PSA copies of key RC's prone to forgeries can bring peace of mind. I'm all about consistency so for any given set I'd either want to go all-raw or all-graded so I'm curious which sets would be difficult to put together raw and thus make more sense to tackle as graded?

Thanks in advance to the community, looking forward to hearing any recommendations or just stories about how you approach collecting cards from this era.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

I grew up collecting OPC from 1979-present. Back in the day I collected the complete sets. Now I concentrate on OPC rookie cards, Leafs, Oilers, Stars and cool cards I like. I mainly stick to card of players I watched growing up so cards from 1970 through present, I am basically reliving my childhood through these opc cards. I also have opc wrappers from every year from 1972-1990. Like yourself condition isn't a huge priority so most can be found at affordable prices. My newest thing is collecting all the OPC box bottoms from every year. These seem even more rare than the packed cards so it's a cool thing to collect. I don't buy sets simply because it's too easy and takes away the fun of the hunt lol. However buying sets is cheaper

 

[MR.M's Cards]

About a year ago I decided to go after all the cards I had as a kid.....all 10 OPC sets from the 80's. I had maybe 10 cards to start now I am at 3251/3374 and need just one more box bottom. I started out by getting all the gretzky's first then all the oilers then started on the goalies. I could have bought complete sets but their would be no fun in it for me. My biggest purchase was about 600 cards but most were lots of 30-50. Trading was a lot more satisfying then straight out buying but it was difficult finding people to trade with. If you do start in on this project I can certainly help as I have a couple 100 doubles just let me know I have also been trying to put together odd ball things from the 80's to make these sets whole like box top cards and the 6 sweepstake cards from 84/85

 

[TanguayFan]

I would suggest perhaps buying a PSA graded card, then cracking it out of the case, if the grade is 8 or lower. That way you're getting the authentication, but ending up with the visual appeal of non-slabbed cards.

 

[Pacman69]

I am in a similar boat. replaced the 1979/89 sets I had when I was younger. I remember trading at school to get the cards I needed fun fun fun. when I was going about it, I bought complete sets and upgraded cards based on my OCD for centering (I need at least 60/40 all the way around). I bought the sets based on the critical cards for the sets. I did it this way because the cost to put together a set card by card is VERY EXPENSIVE. For pricing, just look at ebay, see the range and the condition sets are selling for. Then buy when you see a set you like with the condition you like. Honestly, sets from 80-89 are not rare. It just takes patience to get a nice set at a reasonable price. As I mentioned before, my fun was in upgrading the cards that I felt needed replacing in the ones I purchased.

Good luck and have fun....ps I have extra sets of 79/80, 80/81 and 82/83

Pacman

 

[habsheaven]

For a couple years now I have been picking up the 80's rookies here and there. Lately though I have started buying $40 worth from COMC every pay. The site is perfect for buying older cards; you can see what you are buying and are never disappointed with the condition. Once I complete all my sets I plan to go back and look for upgrades on any cards I bought earlier sight unseen that I am not happy with.

I should note: Zuback just posted a thread on HI selling OPC vintage and I picked up 216 from him this morning.

 

[Stadium Sports]

Many of us older or "established" card shops have plenty of vintage.

We have over 100,000 Pre 91 OPC and most stores have plenty of OPC. You can see the card in person and for the most part, pay 1/2 BV and below.

Plus, you can see real gretzky RC's without worrying about fakes - let's not forget many fake gretzkys were graded before anyone knew the presses were running again....

Vintage rules. Find the old shops like ours and meet the vintage collectors that visit these shops.

 

[tiger tiger]

I've been putting together OPC sets from the late 70's and the 80's (did some Topps too). I had some sets that I kept, but the condition wasn't so good. But I started with the sets I missed when I was "too cool" for cards. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a bunch of key rookies later on from a friend that was looking to dump his collection.

In terms of value, I find buying a full set is easiest. Once you start buying singles or lots of commons, shipping starts to add up. Plus once you have the set, you can concentrate on upgrading particular cards, and at least you can cross it off your list.

There are some sets that I tried building, or building a 2nd set from my doubles. ie. grabbing small lots here and there. But when you get down to the last few cards, I find it doesn't seem worth it b/c of shipping. Unless you have someone local that will sell/trade with you.

Plus there's a couple of good local set sellers. Vahoota on ebay (Michael) does a bunch of the big local shows. Usually he's right at the front. A few times I've picked up stuff from him from the big shows. He's pretty good about stating condition. His auctions could run a bit higher b/c he has quite a few vintage buyers that follow him, but if you can save on the shipping, then it evens out.

Also, I find prices for sets can vary quite a bit on ebay. Some go for crazy money, some go dirt cheap. Sometimes it's conditions of certain key cards, other times, I have no idea and makes no sense.

Near complete sets of Gretzky's rookie year goes for quite a bit, even without the rookie. Other near complete sets without the key rookies can be fairly cheap. So I would target the big rookies first. I've got a few extra kicking around from various years.

As for the fake cards, there's a lot of info online to spot fake Gretzky, Lemieux, and Roy. Those are the biggest 3 out there I think. Brett Hull had a bunch too. Plus vintage collectors here can spot them a mile away.

 

[Billwinkle]

Quick advice don't get to attached to any card in your collection unless it is super rare. Most vintage collectors are willing to trade 2-3 times book value for a card you have that they need. I offered $10 book value for $4 worth of common cards I needed and I got turned down. He could have added to his collection up to 10 cards he needed for the 4 I needed. They were all commons without condition issues from either trader. That is one reason I have so many doubles to trade from 1953-1990. I never get real attached. Quite often I will give away cards to help others start their sets as well. The pay it forward system works well to get items you need because that person will look for items you need. Collect the way you think is best, be it the hunt or the buy em all now method is entirely your preference. Personally I stay away from graded because of the cost. Cards in general are a terrible investment unless you pay top dollar for the super rare vintage mint cards. Even they decrease in value every time a like condition is graded. Think about it 2 buyers for 2 PSA 10 cards can both get the card for less than if 2 buyers were going after the only PSA 10 available. Supply and demand my friend supply and demand.

Buy what makes you smile and you will never go wrong

PS I have a few thousand doubles from 1953 up until 1990 and I am always trying to finish off some of my sets.

 

[C55]

I would suggest perhaps buying a PSA graded card, then cracking it out of the case, if the grade is 8 or lower. That way you're getting the authentication, but ending up with the visual appeal of non-slabbed cards.

Authentic altered cards are also good to crack and enjoy. I got a Gretzky OPC RC that has a tiny bit of border coloring (but looks like a PSA 5 or 6) for $80