How many OBC member do we have here?

[rainier2004]

Ive looked into them a couple times and still haven't joined. I figure there must be a few members on the board. I'm not the most trusting guy and they seem to go against my instincts even though they're website stands for most of the things I believe in and support within the hobby...and now I know what a tipton is, again. Any thoughts out there?

[Leon]

I know we have several OBC guys on the board and have always had positive interactions and communication with them. I am not a member of their site though. A lot of good guys there, imo.

[ullmandds]

What is
OBC?

[obcmac]

www.oldbaseball.com

Yes, I'm a member. Mostly post-war set collectors (though there are a number a pre-war collectors there too) who don't care much about condition and like helping each other out. I encourage everyone to check it out.

Mac

[jschris]

I've been a member for a little over two years and just love it. It's not really a place to swap cards in holders, but it is wonderful if you don't care about condition and just like the idea of finding trading partners. For me, someone with a somewhat limited number of older dupes, I like the idea that if I can't hit the wantlist of someone who just sent me some cards, I can just go down the line and send cards to another person who needs them. What goes around, comes around.

OBC makes going to the mailbox a treat every single day.

[ullmandds]

sounds like a cult!

[Wite3]

I have been a member from the start (almost 25 years now!). You can read a little about the history on the website as well. OBC was one of the first (if not the first) organized vintage baseball card clubs on the Internet and have had a hobby presence for over 20 years. There is nothing more fun than sending out cards to people who need them....nothing expected in return. It is always fun going to your mailbox after a rough week and finding an envelope with cards in it as well. It is interesting, as well, as several terms that were coined in OBC have made it into the hobby lexicon as well..."plastic tomb" (tpg), "tipton condition" (founding member l.arry tipto.n has a massive collection of the worse condition cards imaginable), etc. Many dealers also give OBC discounts on cards that are not in great condition. Notably, Mark Macrae just sold a fantastic group of trimmed pre-war cards that have been sent around OBC this past month, Dave Henderson, Kevin Savage, Roger Neufeldt, etc. also help out OBCers as well.
If you do not mind condition, are into finishing sets from 1950-1990ish, then OBC might be for you.

Joshua
Proud member of OBC

[obcbobd]

Hi

I'm a member. OBC stands for old baseball cards, you can find more information here http://www.oldbaseball.com/obcfaq.html

Yes, although I think most of the folks in OBC concentrate on 50s/60s there are quite a few pre-war collectors who are also members of this forum.

Its kinda a trading club, but really more than that. The FAQ should cover everything, but a key component is RAOK (random acts of kindness). One day you go to your mailbox and surprise a 1964 Willie Mays or a T206 SL, or more likely a handful of 1972 commons. Another key component is what comes around goes around, you may hit my wantlist and I might not be able to hit yours, but I can hit Joe's etc.

Its not for everybody, but if you are looking to complete some 60-70's sets in VG- condition or if some of the seedier aspects (greed, shill bidding, selling reprints for genuine, etc.) of the hobby are bothering you then you should check them out. Joining OBC may be for you.

thanks

Bob

[HercDriver]

Here's the link if you want it:

http://www.oldbaseball.com/

Take Care,
Geno

[HercDriver]

I found this today and thought I'd post it to give you a taste of OBC, courtesy of Larry "Guru" Tipton!


In an effort to standardize OBC grading procedures, I have been asked to post my Condition Guide. Dealers are hereby warned that reading any further is likely to cause stomach pains.

Mint (MT): The front of a Mint baseball card will include most of the original paper. Normal "in the shirt pocket" creases are allowed, as are thumb tack and staple holes. You should also be able to read most on the back of the card. The only writing allowed on a Mint baseball card is scratching off the old team name and inking in the new team. I have received numerous e-mails asking about "gloss" and "centering". Since I do not know what these are I cannot comment on it. Any Mickey Mantle card grades Mint. Early 1900 tobacco cards can never grade lower than Mint.

Near Mint (NM): A Near Mint baseball card will at first appear to be perfect, but upon closer inspection some minor flaws may be discovered. For example, your favorite Milwaukee Braves pitcher is Joe Jay, but you can never pull a Joe Jay from a pack. You have seven cards of Braves pitcher Don McMahon, so you carefully cross out Don McMahons name and replace it with Joe Jay. It goes without saying in this example you would also have to thicken up Don McMahons eyebrows a little too. When examined closely, staple holes may actually be nail holes which would downgrade a Mint card to NM.

Excellent (EX): An excellent condition baseball card should have at least three corners. Hole punched cards and cards with BB holes will normally not grade above EX. Any kind of writing is allowed on cards in excellent condition. Added nasal hair, arrows through the players head, black eyes, and blacked out teeth are certainly allowed. I have a 1958 Topps #5 Willie Mays with a penciled in goatee, blacked out teeth, and a large chip out of Willies left nostril. When the dealer told me he would take five dollars for the card I replied "Excellent Dealer Dude!" Bicycle spoke creases are allowed on EX cards, and any stain from any source are allowed on EX condition cards. To read my award winning dissertation entitled "Baseball Cards and Stains Accomplished By Ten Year Olds" click (http://www.tenyearold.stain/ballcards.htm). ANY BROOKLYN DODGER CARD CAN NEVER GRADE BELOW EXCELLENT!

Very Good (VG): If less than 10% of the card has been burned up, this would classify as a VG card. Cards that have been cut in two and taped back together normally grade VG. EXCEPTION: 1941 Double Play Cards that have been cut in two. If both sides have been taped, stapled, or glued back together, these normally grade NM. If only half of the card remains, it grades VG. Remember your least favorite card when you were a kid? Somebody like Frank Zupo? You take your Frank Zupo card and lay it down face first in the street and then get on your bike and get going real fast. Just before your rear tire runs over your Frank Zupo, hit the brakes! You could drag that Frank Zupo card ten feet if you timed it right! Mouse damaged cards normally grade VG, however, cat damaged cards (if you know what I mean) normally grade a lot lower than VG.

Good (G): Good condition cards can be bent, cut, hole punched, taped, stapled, wrote on, eraser damaged, torn, ripped, scuffed, stained, creased, chipped, chewed, and glued. G cards could have been used for target practice, dunked in the toilet, set on fire and dropped from your upstairs bedroom, used to mix model airplane paint, and definitely thrown at your sister. No matter WHAT a card looks like, if you need it for your collection, it looks GOOD to you!