Card of the Day: Billy Hamilton 2009 TRISTAR Prospects + Auto

Card of the Day: Will Middlebrooks 2009 TRISTAR Obak Auto

Card of the Day: Don West 2009 TRISTAR TNA Impact #51

Card of the Day: Winter 2011 TRISTAR TNA Signature Impact Wrestling Auto

Card of the Day: Billy Sims 2011 TRI-STAR OBAK #43

TRI-STAR OBAK Football Coming Soon

OBAK does what very few other products do – educate collectors on the history of the game.  OBAK Baseball has been doing that very thing for the last three years and now TRI-STAR has decided to try a football version.  OBAK is the only product where I could spend a large portion of my day reading the card backs, something rarely done in The Hobby today.  I find them very interesting.  The Game Changers portion of the base set is usually my favorite, at least it is with baseball.  It looks like a fun product that I look forward to breaking.  (4) autographs per box on average.  Yes there are some big “hits”, but that’s not what this product is about.

For a complete checklist be sure to check out TR-STAR’s website.

Click to enlarge

2011 TRISTAR OBAK Box Break & Review

Design: 

OBAK’s design isn’t something that appeals to everyone.  The combination of old photography and fancy landscapes isn’t something you see all the time, but that’s what makes OBAK so unique when your talking about design.  The only drawback is that TRISTAR didn’t use recycled cardboard for this year’s set.  I thought that looked really good last year.  Its got lots of color, and I like that!

Price: 

Hobby boxes are currently selling for $104.00.  I’d expect that to drop quickly, considering the biggest “hit” from this product has been pulled.  But its not uncommon for TRISTAR’s baseball products to drop in price fast anyway.

“Hit” Quality: 

OBAK does have its share of high-end “hits”, but that’s not the main reason why collectors open this stuff.  Its a set collectors product.  I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, OBAK is the only product where I take the time to read the card backs.  I love the Game Changers.  Each box guarantees (4) autographs in addition to a bunch of other stuff.  My box was serial numbered 570/1800.

Autographs

• Blomberg auto #’ed/50
• Incaviglia auto #’ed/100
• Wilson auto #’ed/50
• Gary Peters Cut Signature #’ed/25

T4 Box Topper

• Stan Musial/Red Schoendienst #’ed/80

Parallels

• Waner mini #’ed/75
• Gowdy #’ed/75
• Howard #’ed/25
• Ward #’ed/10

SP’s

• Travis #119
• Gleason #113

Overall: 

Overall, I give 2011 OBAK 4 OBAK logos out of 5 (1=poor & 5=perfect).  I would have used recycled card stock and I don’t think there needs to be a cut signature within each box.  It was fun reading all the card backs and learning a lot.  I look forward to it again next year.  This is the most educational product on the market.

Card of the Day: Charlie Sheen 2011 TRISTAR OBAK Cut Signature

Preview: 2011 TRISTAR Obak

Obak is a great product for those collectors interested in baseball history.  Its one of the most educational sets around.  I’ve said it before, but this is the only product I will actually sit down and read the backs and not just for the serial number.  The 2011 set will make its debut during the National Sports Collectors Convention, but collectors not attending will have to wait until 8/10/11.  Each box contains (4) autographs – one will be a cut signature.  Hot boxes come (1) per 24-box case and will include 10 autographs.  Only 75 cases will be produced.  The design is simple and colorful, plus TRISTAR makes good use of old photography.

If your attending the National, be sure to check out TRISTAR’s VIP set and how you can take part in their wrapper redemption.

Card of the Day: Dustin Ackley 2010 OBAK #1