|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Questions
& Answers
Research Center |
|
Baseball
Cards Related Questions |
|
In
an effort to help you resolve your Baseball Memorabilia question
the most commonly asked questions will be posted. Before
searching for your question check to see if your Item in
question has already been cataloged in the KeyMan Collectibles
database of information by clicking a category on the Left
column of
this page. |
|
|
|
|
|
Below
is a list of commonly asked questions. If
you cannot find your question listed then click the help Link
provided at the bottom of this page. KeyMan will do his best to answer your question as
soon as possible. You may also use the Google search box
provided at the top of each page to assist you in your
query. Green Links open
in a new window for a Glossary
definition. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm looking for information on
"American Oil Company" Winners Circle cards. Could you give me an idea of the value of these?
The cards are
worth more if they are still attached in pairs. The cards were
issued in perforated pairs with different sports figures. These
cards were distributed at American Oil service stations. The
customer could win the prize shown on the card by collecting both
the portrait and the action picture of the subject depicted on the
card. Prices range from $2.00 -$35.00 I have seen the
Mickey Mantle, and Babe Ruth cards sell as High as $50. - $75.
For more information you may view these cards on this page located
on the website: 1968
American Oil Winner's Circle Mickey Mantle
|
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
My father gave me the attached collection
Exhibit Card. I think he paid a penny or a nickel at the local amusement park, and I was wondering if it had any value?
The Exhibit Card
Co. put out many different cards from Hollywood stars to baseball, and boxing.
They were not put out as sets, numbered, dated or cataloged. They just seemed to print them as they needed to stock their vending machines. The more popular sellers were printed the most.
About a year ago the prices for the baseball Exhibit Cards were on the rise. It seemed they finally caught on
as a valued collectible. But like everything else the scam artist put out their easy to make fakes and put the growth of this collectible to a halt.
They pretty much sell for about $10.00 for common players. up to $25.00 for all stars, and $25. and up for Hall of Famers. Stars like DiMaggio, Williams and Mantle will top that list in the $50.-$100. range. Like with all collectibles condition is very important in pricing. For more information, and tips on how to date them visit the following page:
Yogi Berra 1950s Exhibit Card
|
|
Top
of Page
|
|
|
We got these cards (Drawing of Ted Williams orange background tan boarder) and were told they came from some type of
1968 baseball game. Any idea what game they are from? Are they worth anything?
The cards you have are from 1952, and are part of a 60 card set put out by Wheaties.
The 1952 Wheaties Champions cards featured various sports figures including golfers and football players in addition to the baseball players. The cards had white boarders with rounded corners, and were cut off the back of Wheaties cereal boxes which had a dark blue background.
The whole box, or the full uncut back panel would have the highest value. If the cards were cut out neatly, or have the blue showing outside the boarder, would bring a higher price as well. A rough jagged cut will devalue the cards depending on how bad. The cards you have also have a hole punched out on top. This will be a major issue, and would only sell for a small fraction of the price.
A Ted Williams in excellent / near mint condition is worth about $100. A test set was issued in 1951 here is a link for more information:
Wheaties
Test Set
|
|
Top
of Page
|
|
|
I have a 1968 Nolan Ryan
rookie card that was stamped incorrectly on the front. I was offered $900. for it. Any idea what it could be worth?
There are different variations of errors on baseball cards. Some more desirable than others. Errors such as mistakes made on information on the card will only be worth more money if the mistake was corrected, and the card that was printed in the fewest quantity is worth the most. Not necessary the card with the error.
Other errors are made during the printing process. "Flopped" negative image, Wrong back, Blank back, printed half off center, or combined with another player to name a few examples. There are a descent amount of collectors that collect these type of errors.
You didn't mention what the "stamped incorrectly on the front" error is but the value of the card will be determined if enough people believe that the error variation is desirable enough. You were offered $900. for it therefore someone does, and this price is a lot higher than what the average price of Nolan Ryan Rookie cards are currently selling for.
The collector that "specialized in error cards" will be the only type of collector willing to pay this high for the card. This type of collector is a smaller percentage of the baseball card collecting community. It most likely will not be worth as much to your average baseball card collector.
Back in the late 1980s early 1990s I had a baseball card store. Long story short. The Nolan Ryan Rookie card booked for $80. and rising. I bought a Rookie card at a baseball card show off a dealer for $60. Ten minutes later I sold it to another dealer for $120. At the end of the month the new guide had the card priced at $180. and if memory serves me right not long after the card booked for $400. I just did a quick search on ebay and the cards are selling between $150.- $200. one topping out at $375.
$900. sounds like it's "on the Mark"
|
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
When did Topps Stop putting Gum in
the packs?
Starting as
the Topps
gum company in 1938, the Brooklyn, NY based, Topps Gum was
eventually replaced by Bazooka Bubble Gum in 1947 and is now one
of America's most recognized products. Topps added trading cards
in 1950 to try and enhance gum sales. That year, Hopalong Cassidy
and Frank Buck "Bring 'em Back Alive" cards were issued.
The following year the first baseball cards were published (Red
Backs, and Blue Backs game cards.) In 1952 the First set was
issued with the famed Mickey Mantle Rookie Card, and a Stick of
Gum!
Topps received
numerous complaints from collectors that the gum was either
staining the cards, or creating an impression in them, sacrificing
their "mint" condition. The gum was eliminated in 1991.
There was nothing
like the pleasure of opening up a fresh pack of baseball cards,
and smelling that sweet aroma of that stick of gum included with
the cards. Sticking that brittle piece of gum in your mouth, and
cracking the gum into smaller hard grainy pieces until the Gum
became soft and chewy. It was heaven.
They should have
never removed the Gum. It was an experience worth sacrificing a
baseball card to a stain. I don't know why collectors get upset
over the gum stain anyway. To me it's like a letter of
Authenticity. How many fake baseball cards have you seen with a gum
stain? It was part of the baseball card experience. I
think Gum Stains are great!
|
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
Are
Baseball Cards more valuable when autographed by a ballplayer?
Collectible items could add value to the price of a signature such as the cover of a magazine or baseball card but not always. As in the case of a baseball card, generally collectors of baseball cards would rather have a baseball card without the signature, and a collector of signatures will not always pay extra for the "collectible" baseball card. This is why it is not a good idea to have an expensive baseball card signed. You could devalue the price of the card, and get less for it.
A cheap inexpensive baseball card that is worth .50 cent for example will be worth more with a noted players signature on it. The collectible baseball card now becomes an item to display the signature, and the bulk of the value will now rely on the value of the signature.
An expensive baseball card valued at $200. for example will have the opposite effect, in that the collectible baseball card becomes an item to display the signature. The signature now becomes the collectible item. if the signature is only worth $40. it would bring the price down. It would be considered to a baseball card collector to be defaced and not be valued as a the collectible card in "mint condition." The value now relies on value of the signature and how well the card displays the it.
In the example of the $200. baseball card and the $40. signature the baseball card will bring more value to the signature but less than the value of the card un signed.
Basically a collectible baseball Card, and an Autograph are two different items. Once the Card is signed it is not a collectible baseball Card it is a signed Item.
|
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
Where
can you find online baseball card checklists that you can
print?
Baseball Card
Checklist
Click
Here for a free Printer Friendly baseball card
checklist. More sets will be added soon. All the major brands are
listed Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck. The
checklist includes notations for all variations, errors, rookie
cards, and more. There is also a Full Glossary
of Baseball Card Terms,
abbreviations and, acronyms.
|
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
Questions & Answers Research Center
Home page
|
|
Can't Find the
Answer You're looking for Click Here for HELP
Or try the KeyMan
Collectibles Message Board
Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia
Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia.
|
|
