(LOT 18)
1986 Fleer Basketball Wax Box (36 packs) As Issued by Fleer - BBCE Authenticated and LOA
Although somewhat overlooked by collectors in 1986, Fleer's second attempt at basketball cards came at a perfect time. In 1961, Fleer issued their first basketball issue featuring rookie cards of legendary players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West; players who would shape the game of basketball in the 1960s and years to come. Fleer's 1986 release provided a new crop of rookie cards for Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Akeem Olajuwon, Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkens. The crown jewel of this set, however, would prove to be Michael Jordan, the most desirable and one of the most valuable basketball cards ever produced. Michael Jordan's inclusion in any set, at that time, could have carried the entire issue in the palm of his slam-dunking hand! Aside from the first year or two after its issue (when most collectors didn't even know of its existence), Michael Jordan's 1986 Fleer card has been a "must have" on almost every collector's want list. After collecting six championship rings and nearly two decades of retirement, the interest in Jordan's Fleer rookie, and thus the rest of the set, has only gained in legendary status with top-tier examples fetching in excess of six figure bounties.

In this day and age, not all unopened boxes are created equal. With Fleer's very predictable distribution of cards in an unopened box "as issued by Fleer", if someone wanted to open all of the packs in a box, they would end up with three complete sets and a little over a fourth of another. This is not just a box of 36 unopened packs, it's a box of 36 unopened packs "as issued by Fleer" meaning there wasn't any malicious or non-malicious jostling or changing of packs to disrupt the distribution. Distribution should be even throughout the box. This aspect is very important as it should contain three complete sets; meaning three Michael Jordan rookies, and possibly a fourth if you're lucky.

The LOA from BBCE (the leaders in authenticating unopened material) reads, in part, "It is in my opinion that this wax box is in its original form as issued by Fleer." "In addition, the collation of stickers is proper for a Fleer issued box. There are 3 stickers showing of each player and a 4th sticker showing for 3 additional players. The additional players with a 4th sticker are: English, Erving and Ewing." Whether your intention is to open the box or save it in your collection of unopened material, this is pinnacle of 1986 Fleer Basketball boxes! If opened, this box guarantees even distribution to the winning bidder providing the best experience possible when opening. If your intent is to put your entire collection in a time capsule for future generations, then it deserves nothing less than this impeccable 1986 Fleer unopened box. Either way, a trophy status box would, undoubtedly, be the marquee item in some of the hobby's most incredible collections.
MIN BID $75,000
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