Topps blue card No. 1 sells for $268,400

[SimpleSi]

I saw this on Instragram and initially didn’t believe it until I searched the web. I’m sure many of you have already seen this.

I bought my complete set about 20 years ago (time flies!) and they’ve been stored in a collectors wallet folder since then. I never managed to collect the full set myself back in the day and later sold it incomplete, before buying a complete set for around £40 but I could be wrong about the price.

I understand the card auctioned below was graded as ‘mint’, but who decides on the correct grading? I know I’m not sitting on a fortune, but would be interested what the true value of my set could be. A quick eBay searches reveals very mixed values, depending on condition of course. I’m not looking to sell though, just curious.

I’ve searched the forum but couldn’t find any recent posts about the vintage Topps trading cards.

 

[theforceuk]

Incredible what these are going for, just insane!

 

[SimpleSi]

Incredible what these are going for, just insane!

These crazy prices will only fuel even more ‘fakes/forgeries’.

 

[Ruby2511]

That's obscene!! Must have more money than God

 

[SimpleSi]

Here's my complete set of all 66, safely stored in a pocket album.

 

[Cazza]

That;s bonkers! More than a rocket firing Fett...

 

[_Lee_]

Don't underestimate the power of the Star Wars #1 Luke Rookie I've been buying these for years. This card is the one that people go for and will continue to rise in value. They are by far a better bet than the toys...

This is one of those cards that tells the whole story of our childhoods and when the world was a better place.

 

[SimpleSi]

Are all yours graded? And how does that work?

 

[Mini99]

Are all yours graded? And how does that work?

From what I understand about card grading it’s very different from figures and MOC’s.
Not only is the condition taken into account it’s all about how the card has been printed and cut.
For a card to be “mint” the picture must sit absolutely central.
If you look at the bottom row above none have been cut central so would score a lower score, if you follow.

(Please don’t take this wrong @_Lee_ , I am only using your cards as an example, great collection on #1’s)

 

[Shep469]

Wow! Now theres a "only in america" moment

Personally, I have never believed in the grading route because who makes graders the "experts"? Its not like there is an academic qualification in grading, its all just based upon opinion, most of my figures are now in GWC acrylic cases, look great! One main reason as to why I dont value graders is that ONCE, yes, just the ONCE, an auction house that I am friendly with sent my 1977 Vinyl Jawa to be graded amongst a load of their own figures. Now these guys at the auction house are the experts in valuating vintage toys, yet some of the figures came back, not graded, my figure included, saying that the Cape was not original, Hmmmm! I know the Cape was 100% original and the proof in the pudding being that I later sold it, quite handsomley, with no comeback or issues from the buyer.

 

[_Lee_]

Yeah Mini 99 got it bang on.

Everything is checked, however PSA grading has come under a lot of scrutiny lately for inconsistent grading. Grading up until now has been mostly by human eye using lighting and magnifying tools. However some companies now use a machine to check the card. Technology is getting better and better. The drop in price from a 10 to a 9 is a huge drop too. Everyone wants gem mint, now you need the wallet to play along!!

Im sending some of others off for grading soon.

 

[_Lee_]

Wow! Now theres a "only in america" moment

Personally, I have never believed in the grading route because who makes graders the "experts"? Its not like there is an academic qualification in grading, its all just based upon opinion, most of my figures are now in GWC acrylic cases, look great! One main reason as to why I dont value graders is that ONCE, yes, just the ONCE, an auction house that I am friendly with sent my 1977 Vinyl Jawa to be graded amongst a load of their own figures. Now these guys at the auction house are the experts in valuating vintage toys, yet some of the figures came back, not graded, my figure included, saying that the Cape was not original, Hmmmm! I know the Cape was 100% original and the proof in the pudding being that I later sold it, quite handsomley, with no comeback or issues from the buyer.

All comes down to money mate. I have collected cards for years alongside my vintage. I always knew the Luke rookie would one day be worth something. I usually buy a few each year and prices are going up even for lesser condition.

The reason why the #1 Luke is so hard to find in good nick is simple. As it was the first card it was always top of the pile and many kids wrapped an elastic band around them which obviously damaged the card sides etc. Back then no one thought about the future. Its a beautiful card image and evokes memory for everyone whoe grew up in those days.