This isn't one of "those" threads... I promise.  As some of you have probably seen I have for sale in this threadhttps://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t8095-fs-ftluke-poncho-cardback-w-bubble-and-insert-mini-rig-price-drop a card back with its bubble still partially attached and the insert for the figure.  This came with a loose Luke Jedi I bought a few years ago.  I figured it might be worth a bit more than a regular card back.  But honestly I have no idea how much more if anything.

Recently I have decided that collecting MOCs just isn't for me.  But since I like the art work of the card backs I have decided to collect a card back for each figure instead of MOCs. This brings me to my question.  How much extra, if at all is that bubble worth on that cardback?  I hate to do damage to anything vintage as I know many collectors like thing in different conditions and forms.  The last thing I want to do at this point is take the bubble the rest of the way off.  On the other hand I would hate to see it end up in the hands of a re sealer.  Or if some one does buy it and would likely pull the bubble off anyways I might as well keep the cardback.

Edit: On second thought I could just keep it like it is and display it as a card back with its bubble. But still curious if its worth anything more.

Some may say it has value, and to those who like to display the cardback with bubble and figure inside it might, but to me it doesn't have any value. This will be a how do you collect type of thing. I would rather have a cardback without a bubble just for the storage ability.

Great choice to go down the cardback route. Generally opened bubbled cardbacks are worth 'double'. POTF last 17 not so much more- the main reason IMO is far too many were opened to get 'mint' loose 'Last 17 figures' there was a time not long ago MOC Last 17 & loose last 17 were very similar prices. ( and of course all the U grade victims & POTF bubbles are usually piss yellow and damage easily) Tom Derby (CIB) recent ebay auctions of open bubbled cardbacks reached 'crazy high' prices. Fett $200 etc
I would keep your cardback , don't pull the bubble off just yet , wait till you have all ( or most) of the other cardbacks you want then decide what you are doing. You may decide to display all your cardbacks in star cases with a loose figure , then pulling the bubble off was a waste. You may decide you want all your loose in a cabinet and your cardbacks in a box or art folder ( then pull the bubble off ) I usually suggest to people do not do something you can not undo until you are sure.

aussiejames wrote:

Great choice to go down the cardback route.  Generally opened bubbled cardbacks are worth 'double'.  POTF last 17 not so much more- the main reason IMO is far too many were opened to get 'mint' loose 'Last 17 figures' there was a time not long ago MOC Last 17 & loose last 17 were very similar prices.  ( and of course all the U grade victims & POTF bubbles are usually piss yellow and damage easily) Tom Derby (CIB) recent ebay auctions of open bubbled cardbacks reached 'crazy high' prices.  Fett $200 etc
I would keep your cardback , don't pull the bubble off just yet , wait till you have all ( or most) of the other cardbacks you want then decide what you are doing.  You may decide to display all your cardbacks in star cases with a loose figure , then pulling the bubble off was a waste.  You may decide you want all your loose in a cabinet and your cardbacks in a box or art folder ( then pull the bubble off )  I usually suggest to people do not do something you can not undo until you are sure.

Thanks for the advice. I am going the cardback route because I like the art work on one hand but on the other I like loose figures. I had a MOC at one point in my collection but it just didn't get any satisfaction from it. Plus MOCs are more fragile and can get very expensive. Ideally I would like to display the cardbacks behind the loose figures they belong to. But that may depend space. I will definitely leave the bubble on for now.

Wow I didn't know that about the Last 17 ones. I figured they would be more expensive, but on the other hand it makes sense. Honestly I felt like I needed to put a disclaimer saying the cardback didn't come from a U graded figure or something. Although I don't know the providence of the figure so it could have. My guess is Derby's cardbacks sold for what they did because of his reputation.

MasterTyvokka wrote:

. My guess is Derby's cardbacks sold for what they did because of his reputation.

that was one factor for sure, the others being cardback interest is on the rise ( as with anything Star Wars ) and cardbacks without tears do have that extra visual appeal.