Retirement planning takes many forms but one collector’s decision to salt away some unopened boxes and packs of Fleer’s first post-War sports and non sports trading cards is going to make things a lot easier.
The first segment of a collection of jaw-dropping vintage unopened material is on the market now through Heritage Auctions. In all, the group included every sports and non-sports release from Fleer from 1959-1963.
The collection will remind some of the famous “beer case find” of a couple of years ago. They are all coming to auction for the first time, including a 1961-62 Fleer basketball box that likely contains rookie cards of Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and other Hall of Famers of the era. A 1959 Fleer Ted Williams box and a group of early Fleer football boxes are also on the block.
According to Heritage, the consignor acquired the boxes with the express desire to save them until retirement. With that moment approaching, he’s opted to liquidate them.
The full boxes have now been authenticated and wrapped by BBCE. The partial box of extremely rare 1959 Fleer Three Stooges contained 13 packs, which have now been authenticated and graded by PSA.
More boxes from the collection will be offered in an upcoming Heritage auction.
The lots at auction now include:
- 1961-62 Fleer basketball box (current bid with buyer’s premium $78,000)
- 1959 Fleer Three Stooges partial box of 13 graded packs ($38,400)
- 1959 Fleer Ted Williams box (current bid with BP $18,000)
- 1960 Fleer football box (current bid with BP $9,788)
- 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats box (current bid with BP $10,800)
- 1961 Fleer Football 1st Series box (current bid with BP $7,200)
- 1961 Fleer Football 2nd Series box (current bid with BP $9,600)
- 1960 Fleer Casper the Friendly Ghost box (current bid with BP $7,200)
- 1961 Fleer Pirates Bold box (current bid with BP $5,760)
The auction takes place February 23 and 24.
Heritage will conduct a live broadcast during the auction with bidding updates, insider tips, and a deeper look at some of the hundreds of items up for auction over the two-day period. It can be seen on the auction home page, on the recent bid activity page, and the Heritage Sports Facebook page. Viewers can comment, ask questions, request information on lots by posting on Facebook or call directly (214-409-1422).
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