Five questions about T212 Obak

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Posted By: Adam J. Baxter

Hi all,

I've been collecting this truly awesome and visually beautiful set for a few months now and I'm absolutely hooked. I've read most or all of the articles in VCBC on this issue, but I still have a few questions that some of you more seasoned T212 collectors may be able to shed some light on.

1. How rare are the 150 subjects backs?

2. How rare are they compared to other contemporary tobacco issues?

2. Are they as difficult as 1909's or scarcer? I've seen several 1909's over the last year, but not nearly as many 150's.

3. Besides such popular players such as Weaver, Gandil, Peckinpaugh, Bodie and Million, are there any other players in the three Obak sets that are considered particularly scarce or difficult?

4. *Here's a tough one: I have seen and own several Obak cards with numbers stamped in purple ink on the reverse. I have also seen some with a diamond shape punch hole. Were the stamps or punches done because the cards were redeemed in place of coupons, or were the stamps and punches done by collectors?

5. Are there any rarities, variations, etc. from the T212 sets that the SCD catalog has not yet acknowledged?

I have also made an observation over the last few months, that may or may not mean anything. I've noticed that PCL Obaks seem to be easier to find then NWL's. Are NWL's harder to find? I've also noticed that the NWL's seem to be tougher to find in good condition compared to the PCL's. Any thoughts or opinions to this post would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam