1996 Marvel Masterpieces Double Impact Wolverine/Venom - Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint

Set: 1996 Marvel Masterpieces

Company: Fleer/Skybox
Type: Insert/Chase - Double Impact
Character: Wolverine/Venom
Grading Company: BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
Grade: 9.5 Gem Mint
Status: Personal Collection

I've been eyeing this card for a while but it was owned by a private collector who had no intent on selling.  So I did my best to buy the card raw and have it graded by Beckett...to no avail.  I had three different cards graded BGS 9.0 and each one either had slight corner wear or chipping issues on the edges.  Besides the three that were sent to Beckett, there were countless more that didn't make the cut.

The Wolverine/Venom Double Impact card is one of the most common of the insert set, with the other being Storm/Spider-Man.  About two years ago, it was easy to find one for under $30, sometimes even under $25.  However, prices have jumped in the last 6 months.  Even in the last 4 months, Wolverine/Venom Double Impact cards have regularly sold between $50-$70, even as high as $80!

So because of the price increase, I had to rethink my strategy.   In addition, sellers on EBay have been less likely to provide me with close-up pictures of their cards.  I even had to return two cards that were described as Mint/Near-Mint but had creases and other major flaws.  It was very disappointing.

Luckily, I didn't have to think very hard (or at all).  The same private collector ended up having to sell his collection due to personal reasons.  I missed out on some other graded cards I had been coveting but snagged his Wolverine/Venom card for a price reasonable to the both of us.  Three down...three more to go!

1994 Fleer Ultra X-Men Silver X-Overs Mutant Massacre - Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint

Set: 1994 Fleer Ultra X-Men
Company: Fleer
Type: Insert/Chase - Silver X-Overs (Walmart Exclusive)
Character: Mutant Massacre
Grading Company: BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
Grade: 9.5 Gem Mint
Status: Personal Collection

Following Impel and Skybox, Fleer released the 3rd line of X-Men cards in 1994 and issued them under the Ultra brand.  In addition, they were available in hobby, jumbo, and two types of Walmart packs.  Back in the early and mid 90's, Walmart stores were not available as they are today and certain Marvel chase cards were only inserted in packs distributed by Walmart.  Since those cards saw limited release and were difficult to find, their value has increased over the last several years, as Marvel card enthusiasts are obtaining them for their collections.

Among one these insert sets was the Silver X-Overs, found only in the 1994 Fleer Ultra X-Men Walmart packs.  The set was made up of 6 cards - Mutant Massacre, Fall of the Mutants, Inferno, X-tinction Agenda, X-cutioner's Song, and Fatal Attractions. In addition, the front of every card was completely coated in foil, giving the card a fantastic silver sheen.  Depending on which Walmart distribution, each box most likely contained only one Silver X-Overs insert.

The Silver X-Overs were prone to edge wear and finding one that will grade Gem Mint is extremely hard, considering the rarity in locating an unopened Walmart box.  In addition, I have noticed most cards that are for sale either have soft corners, surface scratches, or rough edges.  At $30 to $40 a card, most people do not have the luxury of buying multiple cards, hoping to score one that's gem mint quality.

Last year, I was lucky enough to buy the first four cards of the set at an extremely good price.  Although I saw pictures, I expected some corner and edge wear, maybe even a surface dent or two.  But when the cards arrived, to my pleasant surprise, each one was in top condition - even BGS worthy.  After a BGS submission last month, Beckett graded two of the cards 9.5 Gem Mint, one as 9 Mint, and the other as 8.5 Near Mint-Mint Plus.  All I need now are the last two cards from the set and I can complete this collection...or until I decide to upgrade on the condition...

1992 Marvel Masterpieces Lost Cards Typhoid Mary (Tin Exclusive) - Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint

Set: 1992 Marvel Masterpieces
Company: Skybox
Type: Insert/Chase - Lost Marvel Cards
Character: Typhoid Mary
Grading Company: BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
Grade: 9.5 Gem Mint
Status: SOLD

Instead of making these Lost Cards available through packs, they were only found in "limited" tin sets numbered to 35,000.  Each of the 5 cards, which included Scarlet Witch, Feral, Deathbird, Typhoid Mary, and Jubilee, were also drawn by Joe Jusko.  I sold the entire Lost Marvel card set graded Gem Mint by Beckett three years ago to a collector in Florida.  At the time, it was the only complete set graded BGS 9.5 or better.