OBC - Old Baseball Cards (collecting club)

[LuckyLarry]

Old Baseball Cards (OBC), the longest running on-line collecting club, is seeking new members. OBC is different than the other collecting clubs as we trade via “Random Acts OF Kindness” (RAOK) practicing the attitude that “What Goes Around Comes Around” (WGACA). Let me explain:

Most trades are not pre-arranged. If you have a card in your doubles box that another OBC member needs, you simply send it to them (RAOK). When an OBC member receives a RAOK, they post a thank-you on our group email server, then check your wantlist to see if they might have something to send back to you. If they don’t have cards to send back, the person might make a note to look for something for you next time they are at a local show. Meanwhile the other OBC members (130 strong) are searching your wantlist to see what they might have for you (WGACA).

Most of the cards traded within OBC are lower grade 1950s 60s and 70s baseball. OBC members also swap football basketball hockey and non-sports cards. OBC members trade only vintage cards 1980 and earlier. Any mention of newer cards (called UV) is not allowed, although I have been told that there is a “OBC UV Mail Server” where these newer UV cards are talked about

To visit our website, click on our advertising banner here on Net54, or visit oldbaseball.com and read through our “FAQ”. Look at the “Directory” to see “Who is working on what set” and then contact the OBC member via email to accomplish a trade or two. These first couple of traders will assist you in becoming a member of OBC, so be sure to check out the “Apply to OBC” page.

Larry Tipton
(OBC members know me as Guru)

[jimivintage]

I've been a member for nearly a year now, and it's been a lot of fun. I've met about 20-25 of these guys in person to date! Lots of "old school" RAOKing!

Check us out!

Jimi

[obctom]

Just to add on to what Larry said - most of our members don't care about card conditions. If you aren't condition-sensitive, and the thought of, shall we say, "well-loved" cards doesn't turn you off, then please check out OBC. If you're thinking of applying but you only want NM-Mint cards, then we're probably not what you are looking for.

I've been a member since 2002. I've met many members of the group, and we are like brothers or long-lost friends - even when meeting for the first time. We like the cards, but we are much more than a group of collectors. Check us out at oldbaseball.com & see if we are what you're looking for in a card-collecting group.

Tom

[jschris]

I can't believe I'm approaching five years in OBC--soon to become a grizzled veteran.

I joined OBC with a simple goal of finishing up a Topps run back to 1970. I had pretty much everything 1980 and up, so OBC seemed like a good idea. At the time, I maybe, MAYBE had 200 pre-1970 cards. I was nervous about applying because my dupe box was never all that full, but I was encouraged to join anyway. Early on, I was given the advice that I might want to expand my goal, as the 70's thing wouldn't last too long. It sure didn't. Never in my wildest collecting dreams did I think I could have a legitimate "wantlist" for sets from the 60s or even 50s, but less than five years later here I am. It sure makes the trip to the mailbox fun every day!

One quick story about OBC: this past summer, I was within about 15 cards of finishing my '69 Topps set. Mainly high dollar cards left. A handful of members who were attending the National reached out to the rest of the group to see if there was anything they could look for to help them out. I tossed my list out there, just in case. The show arrives and every hour or so I'd get another text: "got Reggie" or "tracking down a Ryan", or something similar. It was like I was on the floor at the National! They completed that set for me and I think they were just as excited as I was. OBC is truly a special group.

Jason C.

[tjv815]

I have been a member of OBC since August of 2005. It is a group made up of members who, although have some diversity in the exacts of our collection, share a common passion for collecting cardboard. We are based on a belief that what goes around, comes around. Our members are more apt to send other members cards to help shorten wantlists, expecting nothing in return. It is a fantastic group, one that is visible at every National. Many times, we meet a member for the first time, but the feel is that we have known each other for ages. If the condition of cards is something that is not terribly important to you, and you like the idea of members sending you cards to help fill your wantlist, please check out our website. My only regret is that I did not find OBC sooner.

TJ

[LuckyLarry]

You want to complete your sets, but who can afford NM cards? This is one of my favorite off grade beauties. Cost me $30 and a 19*8 Score factory set. Can you see how the previous owner (R.S. I suppose?) wrote Micks name at the bottom like an autograph? R.S. also wrote "My Idol"………Mine too brother!

Guru

[LuckyLarry]

Some consider the 1953 Bowman "Peewee" Reese card the greatest card ever produced. I can't argue! Back in 1953, H.W. must have REALLY wanted to make sure his brother knew this was his card! He put "H.W." on the back too!

Guru

[hangman62]

Larry
OBC great bunch of BB card hobbyists, collectors, traders.


I was a member many yrs ago.... I don't quite agree or recall some of the " club rules" as you state them

Most trades are not pre-arranged . = may be true,but from past experiences. Not a good idea



If you have a card in your doubles box that another OBC member needs, you simply send it to them (RAOK). = Did that..didn't work out all that well for me


When an OBC member receives a RAOK, they post a thank-you on our group email server = true..and very nice the way thats done..lets others know you sent something

, then check your wantlist to see if they might have something to send back to you. = I guess the attempt is sometimes made

If they don’t have cards to send back, the person might make a note to look for something for you next time they are at a local show. = Maybe..but doubt it

Meanwhile the other OBC members (130 strong) are searching your wantlist to see what they might have for you (WGACA). = highly doubt it

Was a member of a few other internet trading clubs..and they seemed to work much better with the main idea of - actually trading cards / figuring out cond and values and making fair trades/ sending scans first/ etc..

Ral G

[hoot-owl]

Ralph--

Sorry to hear of your own OBC experiences. We have traded multiple times in the past, but I never knew you had been in OBC. Your time must predate my membership which began in 2002--pretty much a long time ago.

My own experiences are just about the exact opposite of yours. I spent a few days in Detroit this week and had dinner with a few OBCers. Yes, cards traded hands, but I enjoyed relaxing in a sports bar for a few hours talking about our families, and the hobby as much if not more than the cards.

I was lucky enough to win a square in our Super Bowl pool--where cards are sent to the winners, so I returned home to a number of envelopes. It is always pretty cool to get cards in the mail.

I have to believe the OBC of today is a far cry from your own experience.

Happy collecting.

[hangman62]

Hoot,

100% true ! OBC members for the most are great guys.. fair and honest traders..but back when I was in it...those rules were just to painful to understand and accept.
Just way too much giving from my end..and not nearly enough receiving .

It just never made sense to me...send a guy a 62T high #..and someday ,somebody ,somewhere..will probably square up with you ...down the road ?

As you know, I still trade with many guys in that club and all the other internet card trading clubs..and enjoy it a lot

Ral G

[metssoxx]

Hi Ralph,
I've been a member since 1992 (I guess that makes me one of the old guys), and I'm sorry that your OBC experience wasn't what it should be. I don't remember the years you were there, but it's possible you came in around the time we were expanding at such a high rate, that we had to start to set up some sort of organization or "board" to help us guide through our growth. This was back in the 90s and as with most "clubs" we went through growing pains. I think we have prided ourselves in being flexible and "changing with the times".
I am one of those who scour the want lists of others, looking for something they need. For example, at this year's National, OBCMac needed a 68 OPC Hodges to finish his 60s run. I made it my mission to find it and did. I sent it as an RAOK, not expecting anything back (I wanted to be his "set-killer" lol). But as so often happens with this group, Mac found me one of the Bowman Pee Wee's you see above (Yes Larry, this is my ALL TIME favorite card!). Keep in mind, want lists have something to do with how much "return fire" you get from the group. Many expand their want lists, just to accommodate more activity. If you have just Mantles and high numbers on your want list, you can expect to see less action. (You see the kinds of cards we collect, finances are a factor). And many times you will get surprised by some of the awesome cards that get sent around.
But we go beyond the cards. First timers at the National can tell you they never felt like a stranger when they meet any of us.
Ralph, take a look around, maybe you want to give it another shot. You just may get a welcome back barrage!

Metssoxx (aka Chicod1)

[LuckyLarry]

Ralph: OBC is not for everyone, that's for sure. Happy Collecting!
Larry

[RedlegsFan]

I marvel at the comaraderie in the group, or should I say, cardboard family. I've previously only seen such brotherhood in the U.S. Army... The group is diverse, bonded by a common love of old cardboard, and human spirit. ... My favorite thing about the lower grade cards we collect, is to imagine what they've been through. Just like at Christmas or birthdays, I like to send cards more than I like to receive.

Wes

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2

[JTysver]

I'm the newest member in OBC.

Joining OBC required a leap of faith. It sounded like a good idea but are the returns worth it? I took the leap. I've seen a wide variety of cards already, mostly around Vg condition (some better, some worse), hall of famers, commons, oddball hits, you name it. So many that it is difficult to keep up.
Many dupes that I own have gained new relevance as others now need them. I suppose it may slow down a little but from what I can see, I believe it will have some staying power for a long time.

What I've noticed with the OBC members are the diversity of their collections and their devotion to the philosophy RAOK (Random acts of kindness). The collectors in OBC have some serious collections. They have been very welcoming to me, both in spirit and in what they send. Cards that I discounted as being too difficult to pursue have suddenly made my wantlist. Do I expect to get those from anybody? I don't expect anything. But it sure is a nice surprise finding stuff every day in your mailbox.

Also, there is a reward in finding someone needing three or four to complete a set that they have worked for years on and sending them what they need. There is a reward in trading with others for something you don't have. There is a reward looking for a great lot knowing that you may be able to help someone else. I can't tell you how great a reward it is to come home every day with a card or two in your mailbox and seeing your wantlist shrink. All of these have their rewards. The hobby is not rewarding in only one way. The devotion to the hobby of the OBC members and their constant flurry of activity keeps the hobby alive. I've noticed quite a few on here.

I can say this. If you collect for the joy of the hobby, this club captures that spirit. It's taken me back to when I used to flip cards or gave a friend of mine the 1975 Steve Garvey he needed to complete his favorite team set. Its taken me back to giving free packs of 1990 Topps wax away to kids at shows. Its about the fun parts of the hobby, not the business side. This club is not built on price guides. Its built on generosity, the hobby itself and the joy of belonging to a group of collectors who are simply "just nice guys".
Though I've yet to meet any of my fellow traders, I expect to.

I'm glad I took the leap of faith! I should have done it years ago.

[Ed_Hutchinson]

I also am a relative newbie to OBC, joining after the National, which I was convinced was going to be my last show.

I had collected modern cards, and only dabbled in vintage for a while. I was so tired of over priced boxes, 2.00 "hits" and crappy cards of guys who would never make AA, let alone the big leagues.

I met up with a bunch of the OBC guys, some I knew from other boards, but most I had never met...and I had the most enjoyable hobby time in my life. Besides the cards, which were great, the friendships formed almost instantly.

As far as RAOKs go- this is how I like collecting. To many people, the value is the thing. To me, the collecting is the value- and meeting people who feel the same way makes the hobby fun. I daresay without the OBC meet up at the National, I would not be on this forum, or any other, as I would have walked away from the hobby. And what a shame that would have been.

Ed Hutchinson

[jchcollins]

I was an OBC member for probably about 3 steady years in the early 2000's, and then off and on again for another year or so before finally deciding to give it up shortly after finishing grad school a decade ago.

If you are concerned purely about the cards and the condition, OBC is not for you. I was actually very much concerned about these things, but joined OBC at a time when I was actively buying and selling mid- to higher grade cards through other outlets as well. OBC for me was a way to expand the comraderie aspect of the hobby as well as meet some folks online and get some different perspectives. The "random acts of kindness" I did find to be more or less true. I had come to know of OBC from another online club (VCT) where trades seemed to be arranged in more detail in advance, so some of this took a while to get used to. In the end I thought it was more or less fair, though I did find some difficulty occasionally when I actually tried to arrange a trade rather than just shipping cards off without worrying about it. In the end, I left OBC because I had just changed jobs, was starting a family and had less time and money for the cards in general, much less the ability to spend the proper time looking through the want lists of others to be able to send stuff out and pull my fair weight in the club. There were no rules as such or certainly any formal tabs on keeping up and doing your share, but I felt bad about it - and rather than just continue to sit back quietly and take cards without doing anything in return, I quit.

If you are looking for true fellowship among hobbyists, OBC is a great place. People literally do become lifelong friends there. I could never step it up quite that much. I will say if I were still single, less busy at work, or just had just a ton of time on my hands otherwise that would likely get plunged back into the hobby - I would consider rejoining OBC. I do think to really do it justice it does require a certain dedication of time, though.

-John

[markstalbot]

I’ve been in OBC since July 2000 and I have enjoyed many experiences while a part of the group. Enough guys have chimed in so I will do my best not to be redundant. Let me tell you about the OBC Swap meet at the National.

Imagine if you will 25+ guys hangin’ out chewin’ the fat pawing through everybody’s dupe boxes to find some cardboard gold, hollering out card numbers and literally throwing cardboard throughout the room. Some guys are pulling cardboard for someone who could not make it to the National and an auction is going on but the only acceptable bid is nothing – just stick your paw up and say I need that one and it comes your way. The pizza comes, more jawboning and collectibles fly – before you know it 4 hours have past, you’ve been forced to start 5 new sets and as much as you tried to leave with less than you came with it just never works out that way. To your amazement fans of the Tigers, Indians, Mets, Reds, Cards, Dodgers, Red Sox, Stankees and just about any team that’s hit the diamond can peacefully co-exist in this environment. It’s just a great night of camaraderie that is the highlight for my annual pilgrimage to the National year after year.

It was to this “event” that I invited Ed (a few posts ago) to, we had met through another trading group but I think that evening re-invigorated the hobby for him. You see OBC is a card collecting group but it really is more about the friends we make along the way and sharing our love for the hobby. It’s already been said “OBC is not for everyone” and it’s very true if you’re into collecting slabbed beauties and only 9’s or 10’s will do then we at OBC can offer you advice on how to liberate the cardboard from the plastic tomb but are likely to be able to help you with your collection. On the other hand, if you wish to return to the candy store steps where you ripped wax, stuffed your mouth with gum, flipped, traded, stuck a couple in the spokes of the bike and the rest in your back pocket –and those cards in “well loved” condition remind you of the friends you collected with then maybe you might want to check us out and the guys we collect with now.

See us at: www.oldbaseball.com

BTW – Ralph I have always enjoyed trading with you and will continue to do so whether you drink the OBC kool-aid or not. BE WELL!!!!

[LuckyLarry]

A couple other reasons to apply for OBC membership:
Girls REALLY like our OBC hats!

[LuckyLarry]

#2 Membership includes FREE and UNLIMITED submissions to "Gurus Grading Service" (GGS)

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

#2 Membership includes FREE and UNLIMITED submissions to "Gurus Grading Service" (GGS)

The smaller picture must be older. He doesn't have the stitches or scars on his forehead or cheek yet.
Drew

[grainsley]

As much as I appreciate having alternative grading services available, I do find GGS inconsistent at times. (Sorry, Guru). I can't for the life of me figure out why this one got hammered on so badly. Possibly a candidate for a re-submit, with any luck I will catch Guru on a better day

[obctom]

Just another friendly bump. :-)

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by obctom

Just another friendly bump. :-)

Did you guys find some new blood? I am not planning to collect those sets, but I do have about 100 1969 Topps cards that I can mail to someone who needs some fillers and who feels like their trade box is thin. Love the idea.

[bdk1976]

I've been thinking about joining....just need to go through the process after reading up on the website.

Sounds like this is right up my alley as I almost exclusively collect "beaters". I have an appreciation for the high grade stuff but even if I didn't have competing hobbies that eat into my available budget, I'd still probably collect lesser grade cards. A lot less stress/drama if you ask me, and I still get the same enjoyment!

Swarmed- may be interested in working something out with you for some/all of those 69s. That is one of the sets I'm trying to complete. It's actually the first 'older' set I started working on 25 years ago (started by collecting the Pilot team set and decided to try for the whole thing). Just started to get back into it the past couple of years and am finally making decent headway (also making a good dent in 70/71 as well).

[ecRich]

I kind of gave it a try. Found it to be a good ole boys club. People who wanted a lot and would give trash in return. One member wanted Cracker Jack and T206 HOFers as well as tough 1950's type cards. So I wrote him telling I had some items he wanted and asked what he had to trade. He responded by saying he was interested in my prewar HOFers and had lower condition 1974 Topps commons to trade for them. I have traded with some members and they were great (OBC Mac, Andy Cook), others were a bad experience ( hi Brian).

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ecRich

I kind of gave it a try. Found it to be a good ole boys club. People who wanted a lot and would give trash in return. One member wanted Cracker Jack and T206 HOFers as well as tough 1950's type cards. So I wrote him telling I had some items he wanted and asked what he had to trade. He responded by saying he was interested in my prewar HOFers and had lower condition 1974 Topps commons to trade for them. I have traded with some members and they were great (OBC Mac, Andy Cook), others were a bad experience ( hi Brian).

To all members please remember this rule which is posted at the top of every page and in bold letters-

"If you give an opinion of a person or company your full name needs to be in your post."



ps...I should add, the OBC guys are some of my favorite in the hobby. I am not one as I only collect really, really obscure stuff, and honestly don't have the time......but I only have good things to say about almost every one of them I have met. Just like any organization with hundreds or thousands of members (I don''t know how many OBC'ers there are), there will be a few members that don't have the same mindset as the rest.
.

[obctom]

Originally Posted by ecRich

I kind of gave it a try. Found it to be a good ole boys club. People who wanted a lot and would give trash in return. One member wanted Cracker Jack and T206 HOFers as well as tough 1950's type cards. So I wrote him telling I had some items he wanted and asked what he had to trade. He responded by saying he was interested in my prewar HOFers and had lower condition 1974 Topps commons to trade for them. I have traded with some members and they were great (OBC Mac, Andy Cook), others were a bad experience ( hi Brian).

I'm sorry you had a bad experience; but as a member since 2002, I can say that experience is the rare exception to the way OBC operates. Sure, some people don't quite embrace the RAOK philosophy - such as whoever you dealt with - but I can honestly say that I have never encountered such an example.

I respectfully disagree with the "old boys club" characterization. While many of us have known each other for years (and may see each other once a year at the National if we are lucky), I feel we embrace new members eagerly. Here's an example: at the National this past year, we met with a VCT member who lived nearby. He was invited to our Saturday night get-together (aka the "swap session", although there are never any trades, just Random Acts of Kindness); he had such a good time with us that he joined OBC a couple of weeks later & by his own admission loves the group.

So, yes, OBC isn't for everyone. And sometimes - very rarely - someone has a bad experience. But it is a great group to belong to (and thanks, Leon, for your kind words).

To the poster who had the bad experience, I think I speak for all of OBC when I say we are truly sorry you went through what you did, but please don't paint the entire group with the same brush.

To anyone else still following this thread, please check us out at www.oldbaseball.com. Even if we aren't your particular cup of tea - and that's OK too - you may find a member or two whose collecting goals match yours; reach out and see if you can arrange trades if you'd like to.

And at the very least, have some fun reading our OBC Slang Dictionary & looking through the gallery of well-loved cards a.k.a Tiptons! We also have some nice features on the website, such as set checklists under the "Library" tab, as well as a nice cut & paste list of numbers you can use when creating your wantlists.

Tom Housley
OBC member since 2002