1991 Topps 40th Anniversary Buybacks

gpenko826 · 01-05-2015, 11:12 AM

Way, way back in the magical year of 1991, Topps decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary by buying back 1 of EVERY Topps card produced from the 1951 Red/Blue Backs to the 1990 Topps set and randomly inserting them in packs. They never posted any odds, only that some of the oversize cards from 1952-1956 and REALLY expensive cards would be done as redemptions.

I saw the other day in the "first case you opened" thread that someone's first case was 1991 Topps and they pulled a 1970 Joe Pepitone... I opened a lot of it when it came out (pack by pack of course, I was only 14) and managed to pull a 1987 Topps Benito Santiago (woo-hoo?). So it got me wondering - for the other long-timers out there, did you pull any vintage Topps cards? Did you know of anyone that pulled any, especially the "holy grail" cards? And did they REALLY do redemptions?

cruiserdaddy7 · 01-05-2015, 11:15 AM

I had opened boxes myself and spoke to dealers who never saw anything bought back of value. I still question it.

lindeman79 · 01-05-2015, 11:23 AM

Good topic. I myself never pulled one either and thought the same about the more valuable 50's stuff and key cards from the 60's (ryan,seaver rc). They then did it again in 2001. I opened 4 jumbo boxes that winter and thought for sure I was gonna get something vintage. NOPE. Well my father asked at the shop he bought them from and all the people at the shop had not pulled or seen one pulled either. My beef... Come on topps put more "buy backs" in. Just sayin

DaClyde · 01-05-2015, 11:50 AM

In 1991, I think the biggest problem was that the cards just got lost in the billion+ 1991 Topps base cards. I suspect there were a lot of commons from 1980-1990 that were found and basically dismissed by the people opening them. To my knowledge they weren't stamped or anything, were they? After the fact, how would anyone ever know?

EldoEsq · 01-05-2015, 11:54 AM

I opened at least 20 boxes of 91 Topps hunting for those...never pulled a damn thing!

griffan15 · 01-05-2015, 11:58 AM

I actually got one in a pack and remember I thought I hit the jackpot. 1968 common of a player I can't remember. But the thing I do remember was it was MINT. Sharp corners and perfect centering, I didn't think it was real at first because I had never seen a card like that before.

edgeusaf1 · 01-05-2015, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpenko826

Way, way back in the magical year of 1991, Topps decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary by buying back 1 of EVERY Topps card produced from the 1951 Red/Blue Backs to the 1990 Topps set and randomly inserting them in packs. They never posted any odds, only that some of the oversize cards from 1952-1956 and REALLY expensive cards would be done as redemptions.

I saw the other day in the "first case you opened" thread that someone's first case was 1991 Topps and they pulled a 1970 Joe Pepitone... I opened a lot of it when it came out (pack by pack of course, I was only 14) and managed to pull a 1987 Topps Benito Santiago (woo-hoo?). So it got me wondering - for the other long-timers out there, did you pull any vintage Topps cards? Did you know of anyone that pulled any, especially the "holy grail" cards? And did they REALLY do redemptions?

Ya, that was me...I still have that Joe Pepitone at my mother's house in my old closet....along with hundred of thousands of 1982-1993ish cards! Also, my buddy didn't buy a case that year but did pull a buyback....his was a 1986 common! lol! I do question if Topps put say a Mantle Rc or Clemente back into packs as redemptions....I don't recalling ever seeing any redemptions...

lindeman79 · 01-05-2015, 01:07 PM

They were not stamped in 91 or 2001.

natbornkiller · 01-05-2015, 01:19 PM

i remember 92 topps when people were using flashlights to see if they can win some gold foil cards

sideout1212 · 01-05-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natbornkiller

i remember 92 topps when people were using flashlights to see if they can win some gold foil cards

The scratch off game?

natbornkiller · 01-05-2015, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sideout1212

The scratch off game?

yeap........
then when there were going to be so many winners
they decided to stamp them winners

wflet · 01-05-2015, 07:53 PM

In 1991 I had pretty much quit collecting but by the 2001 Anniversary I was back on the wagon. I was working outside of the St. Louis area and found a card shop where I bought a box of 2001 Topps and pulled a redemption for this beauty...

Of the several other boxes I got when I got back to Texas, I pulled a few random buybacks, the best being something like a 1987 Cal Ripken All Star card. The buybacks were in a penny sleeve from what I remember.

itradeerrors · 01-05-2015, 10:38 PM

In 91 Topps I pulled a 88 common. Probably opened 4 cases worth back then.

LCM1223 · 01-05-2015, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wflet

In 1991 I had pretty much quit collecting but by the 2001 Anniversary I was back on the wagon. I was working outside of the St. Louis area and found a card shop where I bought a box of 2001 Topps and pulled a redemption for this beauty...

Of the several other boxes I got when I got back to Texas, I pulled a few random buybacks, the best being something like a 1987 Cal Ripken All Star card. The buybacks were in a penny sleeve from what I remember.

GTFO!.....

blueguy · 01-06-2015, 07:43 AM

In 1991, I pulled a 1976 Dave Kingman out of a pack. I think he was with the Mets that year,

batcavelv · 10-16-2016, 05:48 PM

I just busted a box last night and pulled an Astros common from 1977. It was in very nice shape. I didn't realize how rare of a pull that was. Thanks for help!

ToppsCollector1 · 10-16-2016, 05:54 PM

When they did the MCG in 2010 I once got so confused by a card I pulled in a pack.

Took me about 10 minutes to realize that the 1965 Original back from series 1 was an insert and not a real vintage card.

As or the 1991 boxes, no nothing

BostonNut · 10-16-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToppsCollector1

When they did the MCG in 2010 I once got so confused by a card I pulled in a pack.

Took me about 10 minutes to realize that the 1965 Original back from series 1 was an insert and not a real vintage card.

As or the 1991 boxes, no nothing

They didn't have gloss back then...

Big35Hurt · 10-16-2016, 06:45 PM

I opened quite a few boxes that year and never pulled a thing.

jdandns · 10-16-2016, 06:55 PM

I've got a 91 factory set (still sealed) that mentions the promotion on the outer packaging. Maybe a goodly number of them ended up in those. I'll open it up and check one of these days.

As for the condition of the cards, it's reasonable Topps would have been able to acquire a full run of the cards through 1990 for a far more reasonable price in 1991 than those same cards could be had for today,

What year did PSA grading of cards begin in earnest?

CM Sports Memorabilia · 10-16-2016, 07:38 PM

Don't remember who but I pulled one in 1991 but only opened several boxes.

In 2001 I opened 2-3 cases and got several but no one name worthy and the one card I got from the late 1950's was in really bad shape!

I've been around the hobby for awhile and I don't think I ever saw/knew anyone that pulled a really key card.

edgeusaf1 · 10-16-2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpenko826

Way, way back in the magical year of 1991, Topps decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary by buying back 1 of EVERY Topps card produced from the 1951 Red/Blue Backs to the 1990 Topps set and randomly inserting them in packs. They never posted any odds, only that some of the oversize cards from 1952-1956 and REALLY expensive cards would be done as redemptions.

I saw the other day in the "first case you opened" thread that someone's first case was 1991 Topps and they pulled a 1970 Joe Pepitone... I opened a lot of it when it came out (pack by pack of course, I was only 14) and managed to pull a 1987 Topps Benito Santiago (woo-hoo?). So it got me wondering - for the other long-timers out there, did you pull any vintage Topps cards? Did you know of anyone that pulled any, especially the "holy grail" cards? And did they REALLY do redemptions?

That was me that pulled the Pepitone! lol! I think I remember reading in a Beckett back in the early 90's about someone pulling a Clemente from the 60's...

Kmm1116 · 10-16-2016, 08:27 PM

I remember opening a box and had a no name common 1988 topps card.. I was like.. ok

bobthewondercat · 10-16-2016, 11:49 PM

My second wax box ever was 91 Topps (I was 13). Pulled a 1986 Steve Carlton. Still have it! Was ecstatic but quickly realized it was indistinguishable from my other 1986 Steve Carlton. This is one situation in which they really should have stamped them 40th anniversary 1/1 buybacks, would be a very cool piece.

That 54T Jackie in this thread is absurd. That went to PSA I'm hoping??

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LCM1223 · 10-16-2016, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

They didn't have gloss back then...

01-05-2015, 11:12 AM	#1
gpenko826 Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Stow, OH Posts: 838	1991 Topps 40th Anniversary Buybacks Way, way back in the magical year of 1991, Topps decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary by buying back 1 of EVERY Topps card produced from the 1951 Red/Blue Backs to the 1990 Topps set and randomly inserting them in packs. They never posted any odds, only that some of the oversize cards from 1952-1956 and REALLY expensive cards would be done as redemptions. I saw the other day in the "first case you opened" thread that someone's first case was 1991 Topps and they pulled a 1970 Joe Pepitone... I opened a lot of it when it came out (pack by pack of course, I was only 14) and managed to pull a 1987 Topps Benito Santiago (woo-hoo?). So it got me wondering - for the other long-timers out there, did you pull any vintage Topps cards? Did you know of anyone that pulled any, especially the "holy grail" cards? And did they REALLY do redemptions?

01-05-2015, 11:15 AM	#2
cruiserdaddy7 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15,539 Cruiserdaddy7	I had opened boxes myself and spoke to dealers who never saw anything bought back of value. I still question it. __________________ Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.

01-05-2015, 11:50 AM	#4
DaClyde Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 873 daclyde1 DaClyde	In 1991, I think the biggest problem was that the cards just got lost in the billion+ 1991 Topps base cards. I suspect there were a lot of commons from 1980-1990 that were found and basically dismissed by the people opening them. To my knowledge they weren't stamped or anything, were they? After the fact, how would anyone ever know? __________________ http://clydes-stalecards.blogspot.com

01-05-2015, 01:19 PM	#9
natbornkiller Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bkNY Posts: 22,803	i remember 92 topps when people were using flashlights to see if they can win some gold foil cards __________________ HAH HAH I STILL HAS THE RIGHT TO EDIT THIS !:eatit:

01-05-2015, 07:53 PM	#12
wflet Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 240	In 1991 I had pretty much quit collecting but by the 2001 Anniversary I was back on the wagon. I was working outside of the St. Louis area and found a card shop where I bought a box of 2001 Topps and pulled a redemption for this beauty... Of the several other boxes I got when I got back to Texas, I pulled a few random buybacks, the best being something like a 1987 Cal Ripken All Star card. The buybacks were in a penny sleeve from what I remember. __________________ Bucket: https://www.flickr.com/photos/156430756@N05/albums Last edited by wflet; 07-04-2017 at 11:12 AM.

01-05-2015, 11:23 AM	#3
lindeman79 Banned Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: I wish I was back in Michigan Posts: 4,886 wretch24	Good topic. I myself never pulled one either and thought the same about the more valuable 50's stuff and key cards from the 60's (ryan,seaver rc). They then did it again in 2001. I opened 4 jumbo boxes that winter and thought for sure I was gonna get something vintage. NOPE. Well my father asked at the shop he bought them from and all the people at the shop had not pulled or seen one pulled either. My beef... Come on topps put more "buy backs" in. Just sayin

01-05-2015, 11:54 AM	#5
EldoEsq Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UP Upstate NY now! Posts: 1,466 roryladd Eldoesq	I opened at least 20 boxes of 91 Topps hunting for those...never pulled a damn thing!

01-05-2015, 11:58 AM	#6
griffan15 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 7,527 griffan15	I actually got one in a pack and remember I thought I hit the jackpot. 1968 common of a player I can't remember. But the thing I do remember was it was MINT. Sharp corners and perfect centering, I didn't think it was real at first because I had never seen a card like that before.

01-05-2015, 01:07 PM	#8
lindeman79 Banned Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: I wish I was back in Michigan Posts: 4,886 wretch24	They were not stamped in 91 or 2001.

01-05-2015, 10:38 PM	#13
itradeerrors Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Dakota Posts: 770	In 91 Topps I pulled a 88 common. Probably opened 4 cases worth back then.

01-06-2015, 07:43 AM	#15
blueguy Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 127 nausetlght blueguy	In 1991, I pulled a 1976 Dave Kingman out of a pack. I think he was with the Mets that year,

10-16-2016, 05:48 PM	#16
batcavelv Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1 tracysboxbreaks batcavelv	1977 Topps common I just busted a box last night and pulled an Astros common from 1977. It was in very nice shape. I didn't realize how rare of a pull that was. Thanks for help!

10-16-2016, 05:54 PM	#17
ToppsCollector1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago IL, USA Posts: 12,525 ToppsCollector1	When they did the MCG in 2010 I once got so confused by a card I pulled in a pack. Took me about 10 minutes to realize that the 1965 Original back from series 1 was an insert and not a real vintage card. As or the 1991 boxes, no nothing __________________

10-16-2016, 06:45 PM	#19
Big35Hurt Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 9,478	I opened quite a few boxes that year and never pulled a thing.

10-16-2016, 06:55 PM	#20
jdandns Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,754	I've got a 91 factory set (still sealed) that mentions the promotion on the outer packaging. Maybe a goodly number of them ended up in those. I'll open it up and check one of these days. As for the condition of the cards, it's reasonable Topps would have been able to acquire a full run of the cards through 1990 for a far more reasonable price in 1991 than those same cards could be had for today, What year did PSA grading of cards begin in earnest? __________________ He knows who does and doesn't care.

10-16-2016, 07:38 PM	#21
CM Sports Memorabilia Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In the city of the World Series Champions!!! Posts: 3,382 c-msportscards	Don't remember who but I pulled one in 1991 but only opened several boxes. In 2001 I opened 2-3 cases and got several but no one name worthy and the one card I got from the late 1950's was in really bad shape! I've been around the hobby for awhile and I don't think I ever saw/knew anyone that pulled a really key card.

10-16-2016, 08:27 PM	#23
Kmm1116 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3,751 Pocketfullashellz Kmm1116	I remember opening a box and had a no name common 1988 topps card.. I was like.. ok

10-16-2016, 11:49 PM	#24
bobthewondercat Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Reno / Tahoe Posts: 2,398 adam-benjamin bobthewondercat	My second wax box ever was 91 Topps (I was 13). Pulled a 1986 Steve Carlton. Still have it! Was ecstatic but quickly realized it was indistinguishable from my other 1986 Steve Carlton. This is one situation in which they really should have stamped them 40th anniversary 1/1 buybacks, would be a very cool piece. That 54T Jackie in this thread is absurd. That went to PSA I'm hoping?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ No Big Whoop