Regarding value one thing being overlooked is the destinct possibility that you are dealing with two different subsets of the collecting population. If these stamped cards are sold for big bucks, I would be curious as to whether vintage card collectors are buying in at those higher prices.

The 1977 Buybacks Topps placed into Star Wars 30th Anniversary from 2007 as box toppers are very popular, and I think the reason for that is that the original 1977 unstamped versions of the same card, while very collectible themselves, aren't exactly rare.

It's hard to say how many 1977-78 Topps Star Wars still exist, but I'm thinking hundreds of thousands if not a million or more of each card since the presses really ran in those days, especially when they had a hit and new series were made, and 5 were made for the original movie.

Anyway, these Star Wars box toppers, (with most of the repurchased cards being in great shape, but technically ruined by a foil stamp rendering the card altered from its original state) have proven quite valuable and are worth multiples of the same card in the original state without the stamp.

The key here is obviously supply and demand as the original 330 card 1977 Star Wars sets remain available for purchase by the thousands nearly 40 years later. As for the box topper buybacks, I'm not sure than even one complete stamped set exists, and that's if Topps even placed at least one of each card in the boxes in the first place. But even more than usual market forces, I think the desirability to own the Star Wars box toppers is that here the original manufacturer of the 1977 cards are the ones who have made this alteration to them, creating what is a variant version of the original, but available only in tiny fraction of the original production run, which again, remain very plentiful.

Mars Attacks is obviously different in that the MA stamped buybacks are rare pack insert and feature cards that are 15 years older than Star Wars cards, and nowhere near as readily available as the newer Star Wars cards, which were also not controversial when issued, unlike Mars Attacks which has that extra bit of lore (and incredible original art) driving their continued collectability.

I think had Topps added these stamps to high grade copies of the original Mars Attacks cards, that would've been a disservice to them. But Topps has noted these are mid-grade examples at best, which while not common, aren't especially rare, so I think the Foil stamp enhances their value, although I don't think it would've been bad to insert these without the stamping them. I don't think their finders would've minded.

However with the stamp, it is an official variant card from the same company who made the original cards over 50 years ago, and as with the Star Wars box toppers, they are available in extremely limited numbers compared to the same card in the same shape without the stamp, which I think makes them attractive to collectors looking for items not everyone else can have.

I'd certainly like to have any of the originals, stamped or not.

Hi Martian Commander,

I am really enjoying this set, but the number of inserts are a killer.

I have a question for you. Do you know if the Keith Giffen and Early Norem autograph cards were inserted in the boxes? I have yet to see one show up yet.

Thank you!

Topps posted on another board that those cards were not inserted. Norem due to health issues and Giffen due to licensing issues.

Considering the buybacks are currently selling for anywhere from $50-150 per card, I think stamping was the right thing to do.

Well, that's great about the buybacks. I really liked the stamped ones from various sets found in the American Pie release from a couple of years ago. Even though most of those cards weren't "rare" by any stretch, the stamp from the original manufacturer on them makes them cool variants as I discussed above. I've got an Evel Knievel from that set I really dig.

Sorry to hear about Earl Norem's health. He's a great artist. I hope to hear he's back up and around soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Martian Commander:
Considering the buybacks are currently selling for anywhere from $50-150 per card, I think stamping was the right thing to do.

His health is actually fine-- i don't want to start any rumors here-- but he was not confident in being able to sign on such small stickers.

Maybe next time we can do a box topper signed by Earl!

Hey all;

We're running a fun giveaway on the @IDWLIMITED twitter feed this weekend. Tweet us a pic of your Mars Attacks collection for a chance to win this signed Joe Jusko Comikaze exclusive.

Doesn't have to be IDW stuff, we'd love to see the new pulls you got from this TOPPS set or any other.

Hi,

Question... Does anyone know how to tell apart the Artist Return sketches from the pack-pulled sketches for Mars Attacks Invasion?

I have seen several Artist Return sketches selling around, but I am not sure how to tell them apart.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Martin:
Hi,

Question... Does anyone know how to tell apart the Artist Return sketches from the pack-pulled sketches for Mars Attacks Invasion?

I have seen several Artist Return sketches selling around, but I am not sure how to tell them apart.

Thanks!

Unless something has changed, Topps does not make unique cards for Artist Returns like some do.

I hate to say it but the best way to tell if a card is an Artist Return is if it's MUCH better than their pack inserted cards. Not being mean, but it's a general rule that the artists spend a bit more time on the cards they are going to get back.

Ed

Has there been a formal checklist released for this set? Not one with the odds but one with actual card numbers.

quote:

Originally posted by pendragon:
Has there been a formal checklist released for this set? Not one with the odds but one with actual card numbers.

The best checklist I've seen is on Jeff Allenders site.

DUH! forgot to look there. Thanks treksearcher!

not every sketch artist is on jeffs site,there was a list on mars face book site with a list of numbers done by artists.

quote:

Originally posted by vampy:
not every sketch artist is on jeffs site,there was a list on mars face book site with a list of numbers done by artists.

Dang it, I can't find that list of artists and numbers you referred to. If you get a chance, please post or email me a link to the message. (Thanks!) I searched all over and even Scoundrel didn't try to compile a list, except when individual artists volunteered info.

When the manufacturers don't provide a list, I end up having to track what shows up in auctions and box breaks. The scarce artists don't always surface. Your Johnson is the first I've seen.

And of course some of the announced cards don't find their way into the product, like the Norem and Giffen cards discussed above. Still, it's a lot easier to start with a list and then check for exceptions!

quote:

Originally posted by allender:

quote:

Originally posted by vampy:
not every sketch artist is on jeffs site,there was a list on mars face book site with a list of numbers done by artists.

Dang it, I can't find that list of artists and numbers you referred to. If you get a chance, please post or email me a link to the message. (Thanks!) I searched all over and even Scoundrel didn't try to compile a list, except when individual artists volunteered info.

When the manufacturers don't provide a list, I end up having to track what shows up in auctions and box breaks. The scarce artists don't always surface. Your Johnson is the first I've seen.

Jeff, you make it too easy.

did the artist list come through ?