This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/27/2012
When was the last time you saw one of these? If you're being honest for most if not all advanced hobbyists the answer will be never! The offered lot is not the altogether easy and nearly laughable 1990 release which can commonly be found in accumulations of cheap wax, but rather the nearly impossible 1989 TEST issue that is so scarce that most enthusiasts have never seen an example of let alone the display box and wrapper. Legend goes that the release was test marketed to a couple of stores in the Pennsylvania area and that an estimated 24 total boxes were produced that contained 24 single item packs inside, thus making it one of the most elusive and rare items ever produced by Topps. The display box appears nearly identical to the 1990 release with the simple distinction being the 1989 copyright date on the box bottom rather than the conventional 1990. The real difference is in the wrapper where on the reverse there is a player checklist that shows a small head shot of each of the 24 players issued in the set. The 1989 issue has 12 players that differ from the much easier 1990 release, thus on the 1989 backs of the wrapper there are images for the following players who are not in the 1990 set: Schmidt (HOF), Murphy, Greenwell, E. Davis, O. Smith (HOF), Grace, Burks, Boggs (HOF), Jefferies, Viola, Strawberry, Jordan, as well on the reverse of the packs there is a 1989 copyright. A terrifically rare modern item that will appeal to Test issue collectors as well as enthusiasts of certain Hall Of Fame players.