2008 Allen & Ginter Box Break Part 1: Packaging, Box Topper and the Very First Pack

Got the box this morning. Good News: Boxes didn't instantly jump to $120 a pop. Bad News: They were $10 bucks more than last year. Methinks there were more orders for the 2008 issue since everyone went batshit over A&G last year. Hopefully the box prices will remain stable this year. I'd like to get another box or two for under a Benjamin each if at all possible.

Ok, time to open this puppy. But first, let's scan all the packaging and crap for posterity. This is not your box break! If I want to scan the box, I'll bloody well do it. If you absolutely can't wait to see cards go check out A Pack A Day. Or, I dunno, scroll to the bottom of the post. Sheesh, some people are impatient. For all you nice collectors out there who appreciate good Box Art, here's the top:

Very nice... Suitable for framing... David Wright, Abraham Lincoln and the Hot Dog Eating Guy is an *ahem* interesting trio of cover subjects. And did ballplayers really use eye black in 1888?? Ok, off to the front:

We've got the first appearance of Old Planter, A weightlifter dude, and ads for Hobby Exclusive N43 Auto and Relic cards and Sequentially Numbered Rip cards. And of course, the security seal. Gotta keep safe now. Here's the side:

More Old Planter, a Microscope (looking for the joke) and ads for Auto and Relic cards, Printing plates, 1887 Originals, 1 of 1 relics and cut sigs. Yeehaw. Then there's this dude:

The other two sides are the exact same except they have Mr. Acrobat. Moving on...

Here's the bottom part with all the odds and auto/relic groups. Click on the picture and you'll actually be able to read it. Long story short:

N43 box loader 1:3 boxes
N43 relic 1:246 boxes
N43 auto 1:428 boxes
N43 auto relic 1:2565 boxes
Cabinet box loader 1:3 boxes
Cabinet auto 1:322 boxes

I'm pretty sure there's some sort of box loader in every box to the odds are slightly better than 1:3 for a box topper. As for the autograph and relic groups, you're on your own there. I don't want to spent all day typing when I could be ripping. I will make these short observations though:

WEIRDEST AUTOGRAPH: Deep Blue
WEIRDEST RELIC: Bigfoot
WHY THE HELL ARE THERE TWO GROUPS FOR 1 OF 1 RELICS AWARD: Group B - Wooly Mammoth. It's either a 1 of 1 or it isn't. Make up your mind, people.

Can't wait any longer. Rrrrrrrrrrip!


W00T! Chipper's on the inside flap with Mickey, Ichiro and Abe (again) We get it Topps, you found some presidential pubes and put them in a card.

Oh, look. A serial number underneath the packs. I shall scan it and post it, for I am insane. Box #199? Low numbers, baby. Gotta love the low numbers.

Here's the checklist. If anyone specifically requests it, I'll scan it at 300 DPI and post if for ya. Right now, there's bigger fish to fry. BEHOLD ~ THE BOX TOPPER:

Last year I got a Cabinet card, this year an N43. Sounds fair to me. It's not thick or bumpy so no relics or autos for me. Let's rip.

I love it when you call me Big Papi... Out of all the Not Braves players on the checklist Ortiz is my favorite so we're starting off on a good foot here. Now, onto...

THE FIRST PACK

Here's the wrapper. Same design as the box top, just without Dave, Abe and Hot Dog Guy.

Here's the odds. I used up the Star Wars joke last year so we'll get on with it. THE ODDS:

Short Print 1:2

PARALLELS:
Short Print Mini 1:13
Orange Cards (what the unmitigated fuck is an Orange card??) 1:144
A&G back mini 1:5
A&G back mini short print 1:65
Black border mini 1:10
Black border mini short print 1:130
A&G cloth mini 1:439
No number mini 1:151
Bazooka back mini 1:301
Wood mini 1:4395

INSERTS:
World Leader mini 1:12
Ginter Code card (Greatest Victories) 1:24
Ancient Icons: 1:48
Baseball Icons 1:48
Dangerous Sharks N/A
Aviation N/A

AUTOS, RELICS AND OTHER ASSORTED JUNK:
Framed Relic Group A 1:280
Framed Relic Group B 1:71
Framed Relic Group C 1:20
Framed DNA Relic Group A 1:203,317
Framed DNA Relic Group B 1:264,312
Framed Auto Group A 1:277
Framed Auto Group B 1:256
Framed Auto Group C 1:135
Framed Auto Relic 1:26,431
Cut Sig: 1:138,500
Rip Card 1:189
Printing Plate 1:961
Framed Originals 1:26,500

FINALLY. Time to rip a pack! First card of 2008 A&G is....

BRIAN BANNISTER

Here's Pack #1.

239 Brian Bannister
270 Lance Berkman
126 Chris Young
310 Michael Bourn SP
35 Eric Byrnes Mini
US42 Tennessee - Todd Helton
99 John Bowker RC
69 Stevie Williams

Good start to the box. Packs 2-4 will be posted later tonight.