How to value Topps cards?

[CollectibleLover]

My son-in-law has asked me to sell his 1983 Topps baseball cards. It is a nearly complete set (1 – 792) in near mint to mint condition. They are in an album with 9 pocket pages. There are some missing, namely:

# 83 Ryne Sandberg
#360 Nolan Ryan
#482 Tony Gwynn
#498 Wade Boggs
#500 Reggie Jackson

I know that that affects the value, but how much? Should I 1) sell the entire collection as-is, or 2) would I get a better return by selling the individual cards? Likewise, the cards evidently came from a smoking home, and I know that devalues the collection, also.

How do I determine a value? Any good websites I should visit (besides this one, of course!)? I appreciate any and all comments. Thanks!

[MadHatter]

Without those cards - Ryne Sandberg being one of the keys, my guess would be you could get $18-ish for the lot. No big money, the Bonds and Gwynn cards being the only other key cards.

eBay would be your best option - sell the whole lot at once, but temper expectations. $18 might be a bit high, might be low. Hard to say really.

[sharrock]

Madhatter, what Bonds card has value in the 1983 set? Was Bobby still playing then, if so why would it have any value? Maybe I'm confused.

***

Anyway, if I were selling the set on Ebay I'd make sure to take pictures of it in the sleeves. People tend to forget how wonderful a design the 1983 Topps set is and it will look great in a binder.

[DaClyde]

Pretty sure he meant Boggs. From that list, it sounds like the Ripken is the only notable cards included in the box. So, I'd agree, it might bring somewhere between $18-25. The Reggie could be picked up for 50 cents or less, so that's really not a factor, and the Ryan for a buck or two. Even Boggs goes for far less than he used to, I picked up a whole 1983 Fleer team set of the Red Sox on eBay for $5, including Boggs.

[sharrock]

OK, I'm sure he meant Boggs. I should have picked up on that.

I bought an 83 Red Sox team set for pretty cheap, including a now devalued Boggs card. I'd reiterate that this is a nice set though.

I have the Ripken card a few others and would consider putting this set together at some point.

[MadHatter]

Madhatter, what Bonds card has value in the 1983 set? Was Bobby still playing then, if so why would it have any value? Maybe I'm confused.


Sorry, yes, I meant Boggs. Must have Bonds on the brain.