Baseball Memorabilia

A Mark McGwire 1985 Topps #401 Baseball Card is worth about $10. -$15. in near/mint condition. The card featuring McGwire in his 1984 Olympic team uniform had a much higher price before the steroid scandal hit. The cards sell on eBay as low as $8. in near/mint condition. Graded cards that typically sell at a higher price are also selling at a low price. Condition is important.

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.

A single card from the Bowman Tiffany set. Tiffany set -A high end set of cards, issued by Topps. These sets were identical to the regular issue set, except for the higher quality white cardboard stock and the addition of a protective UV coating.

Bowman - A well-known card manufacturer that began production in 1948 with baseball, football, and basketball cards. Their basketball production was halted that same year, while baseball and football cards were produced through 1955. The following year, Topps purchased the company and ended their rivalry in the sports card market. In 1989, Topps once again began production of cards with the Bowman name. Cards with this brand name are prominent in the modern sports card market. Topps - The most recognized sports card manufacturer. They are most well known for the 1952 Topps set, the king of post-war issues. Today, Topps still dominates the market, with Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, and Bowman Chrome issues. All these baseball card terms and more can found At the Glossary Of Baseball Collectible Terms. See Related Links below for the link.

If the bat has the size on the knob it is an inch mark indicating that it is a store model bat. Inch mark- A term used with baseball bats referring to the number stamped into the knob of the bat indicating the length on store model bats. Model number is not an inch mark. If the bat knob reads TO4 it Stands for Tony Oliva 34 inch bat. 3 or 34 could be used as well.

A Tony Oliva 125 Louisville slugger store model bat is worth between $30.-$50. in excellent -near/mint condition, more or less depending on when the bat was made. Value can vary based on bat model, era made, size, and condition. Your bat could have been made during the 1980's, and would be worth less than a bat made during the 1960's

The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.

For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.

"Bone Rubbed" is a process to harden the surface of the bat and appears on bats made in the 1920s The "Powerized"process was first used, and patented by the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending beneath the stamp. Powerized and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season. In 1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light heat foil type print. in 1935 until present, they go with just "Powerized"I will leave a link below to help you date your Louisville Slugger bat

In general, collectors of baseball cards would rather have a baseball card without the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and will lower the value. An inexpensive card will benefit, but if the value grows in the future it will be held back by the growth of the value of the signature.

Vintage pennants are difficult to date to a specific season. Many pennants were for sale at the ballparks for several years in a row. Team logo's and artwork could help in dating. Often team will use the same artwork on other souvenirs like programs, and yearbooks making it possible to date to a specific year.

Most pre 1970 full sized (12" x 30") felt pennants sell for below $50.- $100. Photo pennants, and scroll or roster pennants listing team players, Championship, and World Series Pennants are more desired by collectors and will sell for more. Premium mini pennants offered by candy companies in a special offer for example could also sell for more. As with all collectibles condition is important.

Common flaws with pennants are missing ties, pin holes, frying, creases, and "crackling" on the printing. Sometimes people will trim down a pennant to rid it of the frying or other flaws like a flat tip (point) Caused by being pinned up and ripped off. Any of these flaws will degrade the pennant significantly. Doctored pennants - A term used to describe a pennant that has been altered to cover up a flaw, is a practice that is frowned upon among the collecting community, and could sell for less than a pennant with the flaws it was meant to cover up.

Yankee pennants with the "Uncle Sam" logo are very popular with collectors and were common in the 1940's into the 1950's. The New York Yankees official "Top hat" logo was first introduced in 1947 and would only appear on pennants made after this time.

For more info on the value for a specific Yankee pennant from different years visit the links I left below.

The Honus Wagner T206 tobacco card has a high value because of it's scarcity. At one time there were only three known example of this card. Although there have been many more discovered since, it is still a rare, and sought after card.

The 2.8 million dollar 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card was the card that belonged to Wayne Gretzky, and I am sure this is the reason why the price is inflated. When Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall bought the T206 Honus Wagner card in 1991 for $451,00 there were also less known example of the card at the time.

Other T206 Honus Wagner cards have recently sold in the $200,000. -$400,000. price range. This would be closer to the market value of this card. The famous "Gretzky T206 Honus Wagner" baseball card will have a higher value than all other T206 Wagner cards because of it's history, and should be valued as a separate item.

It doesn't matter too much on which card is signed. In general, collectors of baseball cards would rather have a baseball card without the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and will lower the value of the card as a collectible. If the signature has a lower value than the card it will lower the value of the card. The un-signed card could have a higher value.

Value is based on average prices of recently closed auctions. Prices may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature. Signatures that have not been properly authenticated could sell at half the market value or less. Add for inscriptions.

In a recent auction a Eddie Murray single signed baseball sold for $95.80 For more prices on single signed baseball see Related Links below.

The "125" refers to the grade of wood used to make the bat. "125" is the highest grade and is reserved for all pro level bats. The "125" bats are also used for the highest quality store model bats.

The 125 is not the Model number. Louisville slugger began using model numbers on the knob in 1943 then moving the model number to the barrel in 1977.

Flame Tempered is a process of drying and hardening the wood with lower grade baseball bats. If your bat reads "Flame tempered it is a store model bat. "Powerized" is used on higher grade bats, and professional models. "Bone Rubbed"the same process for hardening the wood appears on bats made in the 1920s

Ticket stubs from baseball games that feature special events or player milestones are highly sought after by collectors. Special events such as opening day, inaugural games, last game at a Stadium, play-offs, World Series, etc. Player milestones can include 500 home runs, 300 win, or any record breaking event will add value.