Cobb/Edwards and the T206 Honus Wagner

HOFAUTOS · #1 02-06-2010, 10:14 PM

I read the book "The Card" a few years ago when it was first published. I know it had been widely discussed here, way before I joined. I believe the card is a reprint, as well as 99% of people.

My question is, if you believed something was 100% original, something that could bring you 100's of thousands of dollars, wouldn't you at least make an effort to get it graded by a top tier grading compant? I know they said they didn't trust sending it in and all that, and that they think people have something against them race wise, but why not connect with an established dealer who can send it in for them, so all the biases is gone?

Im not all caught up with the story of their card, so if something has been written about the status, please update me

glynparson · #2 02-07-2010, 05:53 AM

I have no reason to doubt Brian Wentz and his claims in the book. As everyone that was at the national dinner knows, I feel this cast a shadow over the whole book. O'keefe knows they are full of it and just put the salacious story in there to "sell Books" yes that is what he told me after his speech when we talked. So I think he is a blow hard. He wants to hold everyone in this business to the absolute highest standards but when it comes to his ethics all are apparently ok to sell a book. So basically if anyone wants to read this book let me know I'll send you my copy, for I don't want O'keefe to get another dime from his book.

PS. I personally believe the story of the "card" as it is in line with what I've heard for years, but the whole Cobb/Edwards crap was just put in to make the whole hobby look bad. He essentially calls the grading companies racist. Has he been to SGC almost half the employees are of latin descent. I think that is what really set me off he was basically calling some of my friends racists and I did not appreciate it.

calvindog · #3 02-07-2010, 07:37 AM

I have to agree with Glyn here. Much of Mike O'Keeffe's adult life has been spent terrorizing the sainted baseball card hobby and industry all due to a bizarre hatred for baseball cards. Recently I found out why: when Mike was six years old and flipping cards, an especially sharp cornered 1976 Topps Kurt Bevacqua card -- yes, the one where he is blowing that huge bubble -- caught him in the left eye and caused major retina damage. Eventually Mike lost sight in the eye and has held a grudge ever since.

How Mike has been able to hide his irrational hatred all these years is really the remarkable thing. But when you write unfavorable things about such decent, wholesome, honest guys like Bill Mastro and Doug Allen, well, that's when the lid really blew off his cover because along with such solid citizens like Bill Goodwin and JP Cohen, these guys form the collective conscience of our great hobby. I only hope Mike shows up at this year's National because I for one plan on giving him a piece of my mind.

Leon · #4 02-07-2010, 07:54 AM

I am somewhere in the middle on the Okeefe issue(s). I like Mike personally, and have come to like most of his reporting, but my only qualm was not showing ANY of the good side of the hobby in "The Card". I have stated that before so it's no secret. Also, Mike did quote me verbatim in the Daily News, so I am appreciative of that. And of course I was appreciative of him speaking at our Dinner last year also. My guess is that we will see some more juicy stories come out this year. I would say that if you are an auctioneer and are doing anything wrong you might be on notice...and that includes showing stuff sold but it not really selling. If you are an auctioneer and have done that, then be on the lookout. If you have done nothing wrong then all is good. regards

edited to add that I don't mind a little sensationalism in journalism. It's their job to sell books...and a $20 card sale isn't that exciting...but a $100k+ (attempted sale) of a fake card, by an otherwise legit auctioneer and 2 idiots, is.

barrysloate · #5 02-07-2010, 08:00 AM

Leon- when you write, be it a book or an article, you need a point of view, or a thesis. O'Keeffe's reason for writing "The Card" was to expose fraud in the baseball card industry. As an investigative reporter that is his job. I am sure he recognizes there are fun aspects to collecting baseball cards, but that had nothing to do with his book.

Leon · #6 02-07-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Leon- when you write, be it a book or an article, you need a point of view, or a thesis. O'Keeffe's reason for writing "The Card" was to expose fraud in the baseball card industry. As an investigative reporter that is his job. I am sure he recognizes there are fun aspects to collecting baseball cards, but that had nothing to do with his book.

Barry- I agree. And as someone who read the book, and is in the hobby quite a bit, I was only critiquing it. Overall, it was ok and was interesting........