Baseball Memorabilia

Rawlings started making the official World Series game baseballs in 1978 that have an Official World Series Stamp.. Before that regular season American, and National League baseballs were used.

An Official Spalding 1968 (1951 - 1969) National League Warren Giles baseball is worth about $200. without the box in excellent condition An Official Reach 1968 (1959 - 1973) American League Joe Cronin baseball is worth about $200. without the box in excellent condition.

There would be no way of knowing if the baseball was used in the 1968 World Series game or a regular season game without provenance. A letter of provenance stating that the baseball was used during the 1968 World Series would be needed. The strength of the provenance will dictate the value. A letter of provenance from a team player or league official will be acceptable. A letter of provenance from a fan at the game will not hold much weight if any.

Provenance is the history of ownership of a particular item. It allows the buyer to secure additional insight as to the origin or chain of custody of the item.

See Related Links below for more information on Official Major League baseballs.

A Alex Rodriguez signed baseball card is worth between $100.-$200. 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. Collectible items could add value to the price of a signature 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. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and will lower the value.

A collector of signatures will not always pay extra for the "collectible" baseball card. The autograph collectors main concern is displaying the signature. 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.

Once a collectible baseball card is signed the value of the card dramatically goes down as a collectible. The card then becomes an Item to display the signature. The bulk of the value relies on the value of the signature of the player that signed the card, and how well the card displays the signature.

In general a signed baseball card is worth about 30% - 40% the price of a signed baseball or the same price of a signed 8 x 10 photo. A high valued card can add some value.

A 1981 Donruss Rickey Henderson card number 119 has a book value of about $6.00 in Near Mint condition. Professionally graded cards will sell for more. 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.

The 40 model bat can date as far back as the 1920's.and was only second to the 125 bat in quality.

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.

Value is based on average prices of recently closed auctions. Prices may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the baseball. Prices may also vary based on the amount of signatures, and key signatures acquired. The more complete the baseball with key signatures the more valuable.

If the signatures are not properly authenticated the baseball could sell at half the market value or less.

A Mickey Mantle Ken Boyer dual signed baseball is worth about $600.-$800.

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

The value of multi signed baseballs cannot be priced by the value of each signature added up. Multi signed baseballs are valued as a group of signatures, and how desired that group is as a whole. This does not necessarily mean that two signatures will sell for less than one, but in most cases it does, or at least not the full value of the two signatures added up.

Value is based on average prices of recently closed auctions. Prices may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the baseball. Prices may also vary based on the amount of signatures, and key signatures acquired. The more complete the baseball with key signatures the more valuable.

If the signatures are not properly authenticated the baseball could sell at half the market value or less. For more information on team signed baseballs, links to full team rosters, key signatures, and price guide visit the following page from the link I left below.

Here are two recent auctions

It's no surprise then when an autographed baseball signed by 21 members of the 1927 New York Yankee team goes on the block and commands $66,000. It sold on Feb. 24 in the Important Sports memorabilia and Cards sale at Hunt Auctions in Exton, Pa. Another 1927 Yankees team signed ball sold for $59,764

In a recent "Grey Flannel" Nov. 2011 auction a 1927 New York Yankees team signed baseball sold for $86,581.

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

Collectors will pay more for inscriptions such as "11" and pay less for personalized inscriptions like "Good Luck Chuck" Signatures authenticated by Steiner sports, or Mounted Memories that use authentication holograms sell at the higher price.

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