Beach Boys Trading Cards !!

[bgas]

Since these new cards, in fact every new card pack sold, are sold in those shrink-wrapped and sealed packs, it's all but impossible to do the old dealer trick of opening and ironing the "wax pack" closed again after removing the valuable cards. But without any direct evidence or "secrets" to speak of, I'm still thinking there may be some way in the supply chain to identify possibly which runs of the cases, boxes, then packs of cards may be holding the real valuables versus the commons. If people are selling what's being called "hot packs" online, how do they know for sure the pack is "hot"? And how did they get those removed from the normal case of cards which were to go to the retailers for store displays?

There's that part of the chain which I as a kid collecting B-Ball cards had no clue about how it worked. You'd have the cases coming from the factory, shipped out. You'd have those cases perhaps going to a warehouse, and then depending on location to a distributor. We had one nearby who would supply all of the retail shops like the ones I'd go to for my cards, both stores and hobby shops too. They'd order and buy so many boxes which were the ones I'd get access to.

What I didn't realize was just how many interests we'd call "dealers" had access to those cases and boxes before they even hit the retail shelves to be bought as individual packs. And looking back, it was unusual to buy many packs and not get any of the hot "rookie cards" or the other valuables, while you'd go to a trade show and see very expensive sealed cello and rack-packs featuring the most expensive cards of the set staring at you through the cellophane. I thought at the time "How did THEY get that pack???" after I'd be at a retail shop and never see anything at all close to that kind of "hot pack" before hot-pack was even a term.

So I thought there was something up. And like the wax-pack debacles, it just felt like I wasn't getting a fair shake, and my access to the good cards was through paying a dealer his inflated price versus buying a retail pack and getting lucky in finding those good cards.

I'm not suggesting anything of the sort with these BB's cards and packs, but in a hobby (and industry) that was fraught with collusion, inside deals, artificially inflated demands and values, and a general sense of smarminess among the bigger-money dealers, I wouldn't doubt there's a production or shipping code that can be cracked even before the packs of cards reach your local Target store for purchase. And as you see Ebay full of offers for the really good cards that you might buy a full case on your own initiative and never see, was it a total act of randomness and good luck that put those really special cards into the hands of the bigger hobby dealers versus someone at Target buying a few packs?

But I digress...as I said it's a fun pursuit, it's fun opening the packs, I used to enjoy the hobby, but it's not overall a hobby that brokers itself on goodwill and honesty. And that's not suggesting anything about these cards, but I'm just on the soapbox venting for a bit here. Old wounds, and all of that...

All good points, tho!  I'm by no means an expert on these cards, as I've only bougten 7 packs; but 7 without finding anything makes me suspicious. as someone else pointed out, I wonder if the packs they're selling on Ebay are really Hot. It's really difficult to follow eachj and everyone to see if the feedback justifies the contents. It's hard for me to believe that these sellers would be selling un-opened packs guaranteeing auotographs, for starting bids of 99 cents, when some autographed cards are selling for $99 !!

[acedecade75]

 If anybody finds one of the David Marks autographed cards, I'll gladly offer $150 for it. 

[feelsflow]

and if some e-bay scammer is watching our site, you'll get it quick...  Just sayin', if it's true they can tell which packs have "special" cards, we'll know.

Note to Mikie,  You are one of the few folks here I know that lives in an area where there are still many retail shops (the Bay area).  Is there any promo stuff around?  Like maybe something for the new Beatles release?  You know, something we might care about.  I'm going to drive over to Rhino next week and look into this a bit more.  If anyone was getting stuff here in upstate NY, that would be the place.  They may even have the BB cards.

[Mikie]

You're right about being a new fan and the record store thrill. I really am jealous of that experience, as being a newer fan as of 2000. I do get a thrill when going to my usual record/antique stores and looking for what Beach Boys products are available, but it's def not the same as the experiences older fans have.

The whole record store promo items, that sounds like a new thread that should happen unless one has already been started. All I have, that was given to me, is the front cover posters for the LA album. It's 6 different posters of each postcard on the front cover- LA, Beach Boys sign, Lady Lynda, Here Comes the Night, Sumahama, and Full Sail.

Anyone have those? I know LA was promoted like no other album, promo records, tshirts, frisbees, and so on...so they might not be worth much, but to quote Boba Fett: "it's (he's) worth a lot to me."

You should start the thread, and get Mikie to post pics of all his stuff as a starting point!  

I have one of those. And quite a few other posters and ads and frisbees and buttons and other stuff promoting 15 Big Ones. There's a 4' x 4' poster among others. Also have a "Love You" mobile (same size as the 15 Big Ones) and a 4' x 4' of that album among other posters and other sh*t. It helped to kiss the asses of people working at the record stores or knowing retailers at the record swap meets. Warners didn't hold back on their promotion of the Beach Boys records in the 70's. A lot of in-store paper items and other promotional stuff. Same with the CBS/Caribou records.

I have those. In addition to a promo set of 6 actual postcards from the L.A. Light album cover. Also have the 4ft. by 4ft. poster of L.A. Light.

But I'm curious: The two of you are saying there are individual posters for each postcard? I don't remember seeing anything except the posters of the front cover.
 And there were 9 postcards, not 6( you probably just typed 6 instead of 9 by mistake) 

Haven't looked at them in years, Bgas.  Just remember having the complete set of postcards, however many there are.  Also have an L.A. Light vinyl picture disc.

And to be clear. I am also unaware of posters for each picture. Never seen any of those before. 

[bgas]

You're right about being a new fan and the record store thrill. I really am jealous of that experience, as being a newer fan as of 2000. I do get a thrill when going to my usual record/antique stores and looking for what Beach Boys products are available, but it's def not the same as the experiences older fans have.

The whole record store promo items, that sounds like a new thread that should happen unless one has already been started. All I have, that was given to me, is the front cover posters for the LA album. It's 6 different posters of each postcard on the front cover- LA, Beach Boys sign, Lady Lynda, Here Comes the Night, Sumahama, and Full Sail.

Anyone have those? I know LA was promoted like no other album, promo records, tshirts, frisbees, and so on...so they might not be worth much, but to quote Boba Fett: "it's (he's) worth a lot to me."

You should start the thread, and get Mikie to post pics of all his stuff as a starting point!  

I have one of those. And quite a few other posters and ads and frisbees and buttons and other stuff promoting 15 Big Ones. There's a 4' x 4' poster among others. Also have a "Love You" mobile (same size as the 15 Big Ones) and a 4' x 4' of that album among other posters and other sh*t. It helped to kiss the asses of people working at the record stores or knowing retailers at the record swap meets. Warners didn't hold back on their promotion of the Beach Boys records in the 70's. A lot of in-store paper items and other promotional stuff. Same with the CBS/Caribou records.

I have those. In addition to a promo set of 6 actual postcards from the L.A. Light album cover. Also have the 4ft. by 4ft. poster of L.A. Light.

But I'm curious: The two of you are saying there are individual posters for each postcard? I don't remember seeing anything except the posters of the front cover.
 And there were 9 postcards, not 6( you probably just typed 6 instead of 9 by mistake)  

Haven't looked at them in years, Bgas.  Just remember having the complete set of postcards, however many there are.  Also have an L.A. Light vinyl picture disc.

And to be clear. I am also unaware of posters for each picture. Never seen any of those before.  

Thanxx Mikie, that clears it for me from your end!  
So, back to you punkinhead; are you saying you have individual posters fro each postcard? Never heard of anything like that as a promo item. definitely not at the time of release.  

[leggo of my ego]

I think Ill do a BB  trading card webpage this weekend. Just something simple to provide a resource for those that want to see without having to purchase.

[metal flake paint]

You're right about being a new fan and the record store thrill. I really am jealous of that experience, as being a newer fan as of 2000. I do get a thrill when going to my usual record/antique stores and looking for what Beach Boys products are available, but it's def not the same as the experiences older fans have.

The whole record store promo items, that sounds like a new thread that should happen unless one has already been started. All I have, that was given to me, is the front cover posters for the LA album. It's 6 different posters of each postcard on the front cover- LA, Beach Boys sign, Lady Lynda, Here Comes the Night, Sumahama, and Full Sail.

Anyone have those? I know LA was promoted like no other album, promo records, tshirts, frisbees, and so on...so they might not be worth much, but to quote Boba Fett: "it's (he's) worth a lot to me."

You should start the thread, and get Mikie to post pics of all his stuff as a starting point!  

I have one of those. And quite a few other posters and ads and frisbees and buttons and other stuff promoting 15 Big Ones. There's a 4' x 4' poster among others. Also have a "Love You" mobile (same size as the 15 Big Ones) and a 4' x 4' of that album among other posters and other sh*t. It helped to kiss the asses of people working at the record stores or knowing retailers at the record swap meets. Warners didn't hold back on their promotion of the Beach Boys records in the 70's. A lot of in-store paper items and other promotional stuff. Same with the CBS/Caribou records.

I have those. In addition to a promo set of 6 actual postcards from the L.A. Light album cover. Also have the 4ft. by 4ft. poster of L.A. Light.

But I'm curious: The two of you are saying there are individual posters for each postcard? I don't remember seeing anything except the posters of the front cover.
 And there were 9 postcards, not 6( you probably just typed 6 instead of 9 by mistake) 

Haven't looked at them in years, Bgas.  Just remember having the complete set of postcards, however many there are.  Also have an L.A. Light vinyl picture disc.

And to be clear. I am also unaware of posters for each picture. Never seen any of those before. 

Thanxx Mikie, that clears it for me from your end! 
So, back to you punkinhead; are you saying you have individual posters fro each postcard? Never heard of anything like that as a promo item. definitely not at the time of release. 

Here's pics of the front and back of the cards I have( and the mailing envelope they came in); not certain how easy it will be to read the back side of each card.... 

   
 

It's curious that Full Sail, Goin' South, and Angel Come Home (all Carl songs, incidentally) weren't represented.

[bgas]

It's curious that Full Sail, Goin' South, and Angel Come Home (all Carl songs, incidentally) weren't represented.

Maybe there were really supposed to be 12?  I've never seen any other than the 9 I have, but I guess that doesn't mean they're not out there; mcourse I have two sets from widely separate places suggesting otherwise. 
Perhaps Carl didn't want his represented in this manner? 

[leggo of my ego]

Just a little FYI - The printing plates are so thin/light that a pack containing 7 cards and a plate...weighs exactly the same as 8 cards (.06)

So you are not going to find a Plate by weighing a pack.  

[SloopJohnnyB]

I'll scan some of the cards and post them here. Check back for updates.

[SloopJohnnyB]

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[SloopJohnnyB]

Comments, anyone? I think they did a really nice job with these cards. I'll post another batch later.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Thanks for what you've uploaded, loving what I'm seeing so far!