was helping set up for a garage sale and saw an old Ocean City 1521 baitcasting reel.  Anyone ever hear of these?

Sure, they were quite popular in the 50's -60's. Ocean City actually wasn't a bad reel for it's time. You'll see them from time to time at flea markets and garage sales going anywhere from $3 - $10 depending on condition. If you find a nice one it's worth getting just to have a piece of history.

I found this on the net:

 Ocean City
Ocean City specialized in making salt-water reels in Philadelphia, Pa., from 1923 to 1968. During its history, the company absorbed, in 1935, Montague City Rod & Reel Co., Montague City, Mass., and, in 1939, the Edward vom Hofe Co., New York City, which made some of the finest reels on the planet for many years. During its later years, Ocean City produced many baitcasting reels, but none has significant value. The company was bought by the makers of True Temper tackle

I may be old fashioned but three of my everyday fishers are 2 Ocean City and a True Temper all are from the late 60s and even though they are a bit heavyer than the newer stuff, I feel that when the day is over my reels will still be working tomarrow and the next day after that.

One of the things I like the best is that I can Pitch and flip with them and turn around and set them for big cats without worry if they will take the stress.

Clear water, Green grass to all

My Lawsons 3rd Edition reel price guide doesn't show an Ocean City 1521 model. I wonder if the 1521 was a left handed reeling baitcaster?

It does show [2] 1520's however. Selling price  was/is $6 to $12.00 ea.