1970-1971 Topps Basketball First Series Unopened Wax Box (24 Packs) - BBCE

Sold For:

$66,000

Year:

1970

Auction:

2020 Fall

Lot #:

2728

Category:

Unopened Packs and Boxes

Presented is an extremely rare original unopened wax box of 1970-1971 Topps basketball. Referring to this box as rare may be understating how difficult it is to find. This is only the second complete unopened wax box from this classic set that we have ever seen! Last year, we had the honor of presenting another box of 1970-1971 Topps Basketball cards (Series 2), which realized $75,000 as Lot 19 in REA's Fall 2019 auction. Veteran unopened collectors will note that Series 1 is actually a much tougher box! This box originates directly from the legendary Larry Fritsch Estate (noted by a white sticker on the front panel). The offered box, which comes shrink-wrapped by Baseball Card Exchange (owned by Steve Hart, the foremost expert on unopened material), is an incredible surviving gem. We are very familiar with this particular box as this is the second time we have had the privilege of offering it. This box originally appeared as Lot 2255 in REA's Spring 2020 auction (realizing $39,600) and has been consigned to this auction directly from the purchaser at that sale. The box houses twenty-four packs, each containing ten cards and a Topps Action poster for a total 240 cards and twenty-four posters. The set is loaded with stars and Hall of Famers, including Wilt Chamberlain, Lew Alcindor, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and the rookie card of Pat Riley. As Series 1 contains cards #1-110, it would stand to reason that this box would house multiples of many cards, including very likely Lew Alcindor's second-year card! While it is impossible to provide guarantees with reference to grading of unopened material, it is possible that this box includes several Mint and Gem Mint examples of many cards in the set. The display box is very attractive with bold colors and moderate shelf wear including creasing on all the panels (more advanced on the bottom panel). This is an exceptional unopened box, one of the rarest of all unopened issues, remaining in excellent condition almost just as it appeared fifty years ago! It would be a worthy addition to even the most advanced collection of basketball cards or unopened material. Total: 24 packs. Reserve $10,000. Estimate (open).